Bespoke Blog

Trek has today launched its all-new Checkpoint, a fully fledged gravel bike available in carbon or aluminium with the IsoSpeed decoupler from the Domane and space for up to 45mm tyres, and a host of interesting features aimed at maximising versatility for tackling everything from gravel races to multi-day epic adventures.

Trek has designed the new Checkpoint to appeal to a wide range of cyclists, from those seeking a race-ready gravel bike to a do-everything commuting and touring bike, to the most epic, long distance multi-day adventures. The frame comes adorned with multiple bottle cage mounts, as well as eyelets for fitting mudguards and racks.

Clearance is ample for up to 45mm tyres, with stock bikes sold with 35mm tyres. To ensure maximum space for the tyre, chainset and front mech, the driveside chainstay drops down like we've seen on the OPEN U.P. - a design approach that we're seeing on lots of new gravel and adventure bikes. There's no compatibility for 650b tyres.

• View the full Checkpoint range in our online shop
• To discuss which bike is right for you, or to book a bike fit for a perfectly fitted Checkpoint of your own, visit us in store or email info@bespokecycling.com
• Read: Adventure And Gravel Bikes - Bespoke's Complete Guide

To provide extra seated comfort the new Checkpoint has incorporated the IsoSpeed decoupler from the Domane endurance bike, a seatpost design that moves independently from the top tube to provide an extra level of compliance. That combined with the bigger volume tyres should provide a smoother ride on rougher roads.

The IsoSpeed decoupler is only available on the carbon fibre bikes, the aluminium models make do without it. Other key details include 12mm thru-axles and flat mount calipers, internal cable and hose routing, a downtube bashguard, and on the top-end SL models additional top tube bag mounts.

Geometry is one area where a gravel bike differs from road and cyclocross bikes, and for the Checkpoint Trek has looked to its Boone cyclocross race bike as a starting point, but adapted it in key areas. The reach, wheelbase and chainstay lengths are about the same, but the stack is higher for a more comfortable fit and the bottom bracket is lower for a lower centre of gravity and better road handling manners.

More than that though, the new Checkpoint has adjustable geometry, allowing you to adapt the bike to different terrain, riding purposes and personal preference. An adjustable dropout allows the wheelbase length to be altered, with the longer setting suitable for bikepacking and the shorter setting for gravel racing. It can also allow a singlespeed setup if you wanted to ditch all the gears.

The new Checkpoint is available in a range of builds priced from £1,450 to £3,500 with men's and women's versions, and there will be frameset options available later in 2018. Complete bikes will centre around Shimano 2x11 groupsets, Bontrager tubeless wheels and Schwalbe G-One 35mm tubeless-ready tyres.

Says Trek: "Checkpoint is more than a modified version of Trek's Crockett or Boone cyclocross bikes. Nor is it a new iteration of the Domane Gravel bikes introduced last year. Trek went back to the drawing board with this bike, developing a new geometry and pairing it with a quality spec that will that hold up for long, rugged miles on pavement, dirt, and even the most treacherous gravel roads. It comes ready to roll with a wealth of adventure-ready features like adjustable Stranglehold dropouts, massive tire clearance, and extra mounts that make it super versatile and easy to customise."

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View the full Checkpoint range in our online shop

To discuss which bike is right for you, or to book a bike fit for a perfectly fitted Checkpoint of your own, visit us in store or email gresham@bespokecycling.com