Trek has introduced two new gravel bikes for great off-road adventures. With the brand new Checkmate SLR, Trek is also going down the route of lightest and fastest gravel bikes in the world. In addition, the Waterlook-based bike maker has also revamped the Checkpoint. According to the Americans, the Checkpoint SL Gen 3 has more comfort and an improved fit compared to the Gen 2 model. There are also additional options for carrying luggage on long gravel rides.
Iso speed
What Trek excels at is IsoSpeed technology. With it, you can get better over the untracked trails. The impact of the bumps and humps in the road are better absorbed, keeping you comfortable on your bike for longer. Both gravel bikes are also designed to accommodate Trek's new Adventure Bags, consisting of a Top Tube bag, frame bag and a triangle bag. The bags are optimised for aerdynamics.
Checkmate SLR gravel road bike
The Checkmate SLR is Trek's new flagship bike. It is lightest gravel bike Trek has ever made. They use 800 Series OCLV Carbon in a newly designed lightweight tube technology. This makes the new frame 250gr lighter than its predecessor, the Checkpoint SLR. Further claims: the Checkmate is Trek's fastest gravel bike ever, applying the same new Full System Foil aero tube shapes and aero handlebar/steering stem combo of the new Madone Gen 8. The new Checkmate breathes speed and emphasises that with a deeper and more efficient riding position thanks to a new racing geometry.
What's more to like
- Aero handlebars and stem a piece: the Checkmate has the same ultra-light and aero RSL one-piece handlebar/steering stem as the Madone Gen 8. The handlebar's 'flare' design means the shifters are 3 cm closer together in relation to handlebar radius at the bottom.
- Tyres up to 45 mm: Checkmate comes standard with 38 mm tyres, but is also suitable for 45 mm tyres that allow you to quickly cycle over heavier race or training courses.
- Also in Project One: Make your Checkmate totally your bike via Project One for the perfect fit, parts and colour. Plus, Project One's new ICON Raw Lithos scheme brings breathtaking earth tones exclusive to Checkmate customers.
Checkpoint SL Gen 3 gravel bike
Following a successful launch of the first Checkpoint in 2018, Trek is now launching its third-generation gravel bike. The Checkpoint SL Gen 3 has updated tube shapes and is built from the renowned 500 Series OCLV Carbon.
The new frame design of Checkpoint SL Gen 3 has even more room to combine larger water bottles with adventure bags and offers more internal storage space in the down tube. Moreover, it has suspension points galore for a Top Tube bag, frame and triangle bags and front and rear carriers whether or not combined with side bags.
New confidence-building details
Checkpoint SL Gen 3's new Gravel Endurance geometry has a higher placed and shorter reach that is more comfortable and capable for long gravel rides. The GR Elite handlebar (on SL 5 and 6) or a carbon GR Pro handlebar (on SL 7) complete the bike. With a larger flare of 6 cm between the shifters compared to the bottom of the handlebar, this handlebar gives better control and more confidence, whatever the terrain.
Space for outer tyres up to 50 mm
Checkpoint SL Gen 3 comes with 42mm tyres, but wider, sturdier gravel tyres will fit to roll over the coarser stuff up to eem maximum of 50mm.
Suitable for Seatdroppers and suspension fork
Compatible with Seatdroppers, the new Checkpoint SL Gen 3 offers the option of fitting a suspension front fork with up to 40 mm suspension travel*, for even more comfort and confidence.
*Available for all sizes except XS
The Checkmate comes in two versions and is available in an SLR 7 variant for €6999 and an SLR 8 for €10999 (!). See overview below.
Checkpoint SL Gen 3 and Checkmate SLR are available through Trek dealers in the Benelux and in the Netherlands online at trekbikes.com.