Trek has launched its updated gravel bike line-up, with its first dedicated gravel race bike – the Checkmate SLR – and the Checkpoint SL Gen 3, a more versatile option for adventure riding.
The Checkmate SLR gravel race bike has 45mm tyre clearance. It takes cues from the recently revised Trek Madone SLR Gen 8, but with added practicality for gravel riding through the use of an IsoSpeed decoupler for boosted compliance and integrated frame bag mounts.
The third-generation Checkpoint SL takes things a step further with integrated down tube storage and more generous 50mm gravel bike tyre clearance.
Prices start from a princely £8,500 / $8,299.99 / €8,999 / AU$10,999.99 for the Checkmate SLR 7 AXS and rise to £10,000 / $11,999.99 / €10,999 / AU$17,999.99 for the top-spec Checkmate SLR 9 AXS.
The Checkpoint SL starts at a more affordable £3,700 / $3,199.99 / €4,059 / AU$4,999.99 for the Checkpoint SL 5 AXS, rising to £6,350 / $5,699.99 / €6,559 / AU$8,499.99 for the Checkpoint SL 7 AXS.
How do the bikes ride? Check out our first-ride reviews of the Trek Checkmate SLR 9 AXS and the Trek Checkpoint SL 7 AXS.
Trek Checkmate SLR frame details
Trek considers its new Checkmate SLR to be its first dedicated gravel race bike, with the brand saying it’s designed for “gravel riders with the ultimate pursuit of speed”.
It claims the top-shelf Checkmate SLR 9 AXS model is 5 minutes and 54 seconds faster than the outgoing Checkpoint SLR on the Unbound 200 course, or 38 seconds per hour faster at a 200W rider output.
The brand primarily attributes this to the new ‘Full System Foil’ tube shapes, which are also found on the recently launched Madone. This sees Trek do away with the long-standing Kammtail shapes in favour of broader and squatter tube profiles.
The other aerodynamic advantage is said to come via the Checkmate’s one-piece Aero RSL bar-stem, identical to the one found on the Madone.
This sees the hydraulic hoses (and Shimano Di2 wires, if applicable) fully concealed through the front end. The handlebar has 3cm narrower hoods than drops, which Trek claims to be more aerodynamically efficient, translating to a better-controlled riding position.
The Checkmate SLR is constructed from Trek’s 800 OCLV-series carbon fibre, which was the brand’s top-tier carbon before it introduced 900 OCLV for the latest Madone. Trek claims a 1,223g frame weight for a painted size M/L (roughly equivalent to a size 56cm) and 415g for a painted fork.
It sports 45mm tyre clearance (width as measured), which is identical to the outgoing Checkpoint SLR. This drops to 38mm with mudguards, for which there are hidden mounting points.
The bike sports Trek’s IsoSpeed technology, a decoupler designed to smooth imperfections on the road or trail. This particular variant is fixed – on older Trek models, there was scope for adjustment.
Trek reverted to the fixed variant on the Domane SLR / SL Gen 4 because it found most consumers didn’t make adjustments and it added unnecessary complexity.
There are integrated frame bag mounts, optimised specifically for the Bontrager Adventure Top Tube, and Triangle or Frame Bags.
Trek says the frame has also been optimised to hold bigger water bottles – without bags, all frame sizes from Medium and above can accommodate three 769ml bottles.
The Checkmate SLR uses a SRAM UDH dropout, opening compatibility with the new SRAM Red XPLR AXS groupset.
Trek continues to use a T47 threaded bottom bracket standard with an 85.5mm width. The Checkmate SLR cannot be run with a dropper post.
Trek Checkmate SLR geometry
The Checkmate uses what Trek calls its new ‘Gravel Race’ geometry, which offers a lower and shorter-reach position than the outgoing Checkpoint SLR.
According to Trek, this keeps you “tucked out of the wind so you can soar past the competition on race day and stay confident and in control on even the gnarliest gravel sections”.
On a size M/L, a 399mm reach is paired with a 584mm stack – 2mm shorter in reach than an equivalently sized Specialized Crux and 6mm taller in stack.
The bikes are available in six sizes – XS, S, M, ML, L and XL.
| | XS | S | M | ML | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head tube angle (degrees) | 71 | 71.3 | 71.5 | 71.7 | 72 | 72.4 |
| Head tube length (mm) | 91 | 106 | 126 | 150 | 174 | 199 |
| Seat tube angle (degrees) | 73.9 | 73.9 | 73.7 | 73.5 | 73.6 | 73.7 |
| Seat tube length (mm) | 373 | 414 | 455 | 500 | 537 | 583 |
| Top tube length (mm) | 532 | 540 | 555 | 570 | 581 | 592 |
| Chainstay length (mm) | 426 | 426 | 426 | 426 | 426 | 426 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1,003 | 1,010 | 1,022 | 1,035 | 1,045 | 1,054 |
| Reach (mm) | 380 | 385 | 392 | 399 | 404 | 409 |
| Stack (mm) | 525 | 540 | 560 | 584 | 608 | 633 |
Trek Checkmate SLR models
In addition to the two models listed below, the Checkmate SLR will be available as a frameset for $3,999.99. UK and international pricing is to be confirmed.
The Checkmate SLR is also available through Trek’s customisation program, Project One.
Trek Checkmate SLR 9 AXS
- Frameset: 800 OCLV carbon
- Groupset: SRAM Red XPLR AXS with power meter
- Wheelset: Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37V
- Tyres: Bontrager Girona RSL GR, 700c x 38mm
- Price: £10,000 / $11,999.99 / €10,999 / AU$17,999.99
Trek Checkmate SLR 7 AXS
- Frameset: 800 OCLV carbon
- Groupset: SRAM Force AXS with power meter
- Wheelset: Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V wheels
- Tyres: Bontrager GR1 Team Issue, 700c x 40mm
- Price: £8,500 / $8,299.99 / €8,999 / AU$10,999.99
Trek Checkpoint SL frame details
Trek describes the third-generation Checkpoint SL as being built for “even more comfort, integrated storage and capability” compared to the outgoing Checkpoint SL.
It’s constructed from Trek’s OCLV mid-range 500 series carbon fibre, has clearance for up to 50mm tyres (width as measured) and, like the Checkmate, comes equipped with a fixed IsoSpeed decoupler.
Trek claims a M/L painted frame weighs 1,385g, with the fork 536g.
Unlike the Checkmate SLR, the Checkpoint SL features dedicated down tube storage. There’s more internal volume compared to the old one, with a bigger door to ease operation and a new BITS bag.
The front end uses a two-piece handlebar and stem, but the cables and hoses are still funnelled through the upper headset bearing and into the frame.
The Checkpoint SL is compatible with mechanical groupsets, as well as dropper posts and gravel suspension forks up to 40mm travel, with the exception of the XS size – which cannot take a suspension fork.
The bike retains all the mounting points of its predecessors (for bags and bottles in the inside triangle, under the down tube bottle cage mounts, top tube bento box mounts and mudguard mounts), with the addition of front rack mounts on this new model.
Like the Checkmate SLR, the Checkpoint SL is now optimised to store larger water bottles, when the Bontrager Adventure Half Framebag or Adventure Triangle Bag are mounted on the frame. For example, an M/L frame size is capable of holding two 769ml water bottles while running a 2.6l Adventure Frame bag.
Signalling the bike’s more rugged intentions, the Checkpoint SL includes rock-strike fortification on the down tube and driveside chainstay protection.
It also employs a SRAM UDH dropout and a T47 85.5mm bottom bracket standard.
Trek Checkpoint geometry
The Checkpoint SL Gen 3 uses what Trek calls its new ‘Gravel Endurance’ geometry, which pairs a shorter and higher reach (compared to the old Checkpoint SL) “for a more comfortable, accessible and capable all-day ride”.
Compared to an equivalent M/L Checkmate, the Checkpoint’s SL reach is 2mm shorter and 17mm higher in stack.
| | XS | S | M | ML | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head tube angle (degrees) | 71 | 71.4 | 71.6 | 72 | 72.1 | 72.4 |
| Head tube length (mm) | 86 | 106 | 130 | 151 | 171 | 191 |
| Seat tube angle (degrees) | 74 | 74 | 73.3 | 73.3 | 73.3 | 73.3 |
| Seat tube length (mm) | 445 | 480 | 505 | 530 | 550 | 575 |
| Top tube length (mm) | 536 | 547 | 566 | 578 | 589 | 601 |
| Chainstay length (mm) | 430 | 430 | 430 | 430 | 430 | 430 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1,013 | 1,022 | 1,034 | 1,042 | 1,052 | 1,062 |
| Reach (mm) | 380 | 386 | 391 | 397 | 402 | 408 |
| Stack (mm) | 535 | 556 | 579 | 601 | 620 | 640 |
Trek Checkpoint SL models
In addition to the three models listed below, the Checkpoint SL will be available as a frameset for $2,399.99. UK and international pricing is to be confirmed.
Trek Checkpoint SL 7 AXS
- Frameset: 500 OCLV carbon
- Groupset: SRAM Force XPLR AXS
- Wheelset: Bontrager Aeolus Elite 35
- Tyres: Bontrager Girona RSL, 700c x 42mm
- Price: £6,350 / $5,699.99 / €6,559 / AU$8,499.99
Trek Checkpoint SL6 AXS
- Frameset: 500 OCLV carbon
- Groupset: SRAM Rival XPLR eTap AXS
- Wheelset: Bontrager Paradigm Comp 25
- Tyres: Bontrager Girona RSL, 700c x 42mm
- Price: £4,500 / $3,999.99 / €4,659 / AU$5,999.99
Trek Checkpoint SL5 AXS
- Frameset: 500 OCLV carbon
- Groupset: SRAM Apex XPLR AXS
- Wheelset: Bontrager Paradigm SL
- Tyres: Bontrager Girona RSL, 700c x 42mm
- Price: £3,700 / $3,199.99 / €4,059 / AU$4,999.99
