Jack of All Trades, Master of Fun
This year I chose to demo Trek’s endurance gravel offering, the Checkpoint SL 6. I decided on a gravel bike for versatility; my hope was to select a drop-bar bike I could ride to work, on a group ride, or off the beaten path. I’ve gotten about a thousand miles in on the Checkpoint and can confidently say that it checks all of those boxes and looks good doin’ it. The geometry and fit are just about spot-on for my size and riding preferences, and the components, particularly the Rival AXS drivetrain, are just fantastic.
At 5’1” I ride an XS/49cm frame and thanks to the super-short headtube have been able to achieve a moderately aggressive fit by slamming the stem, though the steerer tube is long enough for a much more upright configuration. I’ve enjoyed riding this bike at Al Sabo and on other light singletrack, where I’ve come to appreciate its stability on looser surfaces and descents. While stability has to come at the expense of nimbleness, the Checkpoint still feels responsive and quick to accelerate, making it as enjoyable to ride on pavement as on dirt. I utilized most of the numerous mounts for racks and bags to load up for a short bikepacking trip through the Huron Manistee National Forest, on which the Checkpoint performed superbly for the mixed riding surfaces and long days in the saddle.
The component spec on this bike is a delight. I’ve been really impressed by the performance of the SRAM Rival AXS 13-speed drivetrain, which, paired with a 40-tooth chainring, offers a great range for gravel and all-road riding. The battery life and ease of charging is also a plus. In spite of neglecting to regularly check the charge level of the rear derailleur battery, I haven’t (yet) had any “oh sh*t” moments where I’ve run out of juice and been trapped in one gear. I do notice that the battery drains quickly when transporting the bike on the back of my car due to the movement constantly waking the system, so in favorable weather conditions when I’m not concerned about the battery contacts getting wet or dirty I try to remember to remove the battery from the bike before transporting it long distances on the car. My only beef with the out-of-the-box spec of the Checkpoint SL 6, and a pretty trivial one at that, is the rubber. The stock tires felt both sluggish and not-so-grippy, a less-than-ideal combination. I swapped them out for some 40c Panaracer GravelKing semi-slicks in a handsome green color for a noticeable improvement in ride quality.
The Checkpoint SL 6 has exceeded my expectations for a gravel bike. I rode it considerably more than any of the other bikes in my basement this season, mostly because it rides great just about everywhere. For a fun, capable, lively, and (dare I say it?) versatile ride, the Checkpoint SL 6 does not disappoint.