Gravel riding means different things to different people – and the growing range of dedicated bikes reflects this diversity, from lightweight race-ready rigs to do-it-all rugged machines. Trek markets the Checkpoint SL range as its ‘Adventurefocused’ line, designed to carry loads over challenging terrain.
To put it to the test, I roamed local trails for many miles and took the Checkpoint on an overnight bikepacking excursion, fully laden with camping gear. The bike lapped it up, due in no small part to the thoughtful design and choice of components.
Frameset
Previously unchanged since 2018, Trek has given the new Checkpoint platform a serious revamp. The tubes are much chunkier now, giving it a far more rugged aesthetic than previous models.
Trek still includes an ‘IsoSpeed
