Trek Checkpoint SL 7 review

Is single speed gravel or tracklocross a thing? Who knows. With the Trek Checkpoint SL 7 and its adjustable chainstays, you at least have the option to try it out and see how you like it. Read on to find out what else the bike’s got up its sleeve and how versatile it really is.

A quick overview of this group test: The best gravel bike 2021

For 2021, US bike brand Trek are offering their flagship gravel bike at an attractive price of € 5,653. If you take into account the frame’s long list of features and the high-quality components, you’ll begin to see how good this price is. The carbon frameset is made from Trek’s OCLV 500 Series Carbon, features their proprietary IsoSpeed system at the rear and is compatible with up to 700 x 45C tires. The IsoSpeed joint “decouples” the seat tube from the top tube and enables the seat tube to flex and thereby absorb vibrations and bumps in the road. At the same time, Trek rely on an integrated seat post instead of the conventional solution. The seatmast cap gets pushed directly over the seat tube and is available in a short and long version. Both have an offset of 20 mm. Despite the two options, the adjustment range remains very limited. Riders with above-average leg lengths and a short torso might get stuck between two sizes and find it difficult to dial in their riding position for the perfect fit. The sliding, dubbed Stranglehold, dropouts allow the chainstay length to be adjusted and thus, in theory, the Checkpoint can also be converted into a single-speed gravel bike. The brake calliper mount moves parallel with the drive side.

---

---

Size	49	52	54	56	58	61
Seat tube	490 mm	520 mm	540 mm	560 mm	580 mm	610 mm
Top tube	515 mm	536 mm	551 mm	566 mm	577 mm	592 mm
Head tube	90 mm	107 mm	126 mm	145 mm	171 mm	200 mm
Head angle	71.4°	71.6°	71.8°	72.2°	72.3°	72.6°
Seat angle	75.0°	74.0°	73.5°	73.0°	73.0°	73.0°
Chainstays	425 mm	425 mm	425 mm	425 mm	425 mm	425 mm
BB Drop	78 mm	78 mm	76 mm	76 mm	74 mm	74 mm
Wheelbase	995 mm	1,005 mm	1,014 mm	1,020 mm	1,032 mm	1,044 mm
Reach	373 mm	379 mm	383 mm	387 mm	391 mm	397 mm
Stack	532 mm	549 mm	567 mm	586 mm	609 mm	638 mm

The Checkpoint is the tool of choice for hunting those gravel KOMs. It’s the climbing king of the group test!

The carbon frame has mounting points for up to five bottle cages as well as eyelets for mudguards and luggage racks. However, the fork does not have any mounting options for cargo or bottle cages and the brake cable is routed externally. Despite all of its features, Trek have succeeded in keeping the gravel bike’s silhouette looking slim and the bike looking tidy. The build includes a 1×12 SRAM Force eTap AXS groupset consisting of an Eagle AXS XX1 rear derailleur and Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V wheels with 700 x 40C Bontrager GR1 Team Issue tires. The Pro IsoCore VR-CF handlebar and Pro stem are also supplied by in-house brand Bontrager. Our size 56 test bike weighs a slim 8.57 kg.

When accelerating, the Trek can keep up with the quickest bikes on test, accelerating efficiently in all situations. Especially in the mountains, it shows its willingness to the full and proves to be the climbing king of the group test. This is not least thanks to the quick engagement of the hub and the pleasantly low weight of the bike. In addition, the Checkpoint carries its momentum well on flat terrain. Here it is only the tires that hold the bike back, performing best on compact gravel.

The comfort of the front and rear is nicely balanced, offering excellent damping of small vibrations and quick hits. However, on big compressions, the compliance on the rear acts like an undamped spring. In this case, the Trek Madone road bike (read review) with its damped IsoSpeed system has a decisive advantage and we hope that this technology will also find its way onto the next generation of the Checkpoint. Another shortcoming in terms of comfort is the aggressively stretched riding position. It’s a good fit for the sporty character of the bike but it’s likely to be tiring on long rides. As with the bike’s comfort, the agility of the front and rear are nicely balanced. The Trek’s handling is just as balanced as that of the OPEN WI.DE. and the S-Works Diverge. While it willingly navigates tight corners at slow speeds, it requires firm input from the rider and occasional corrections when cornering at high speeds. The main reason for this is the lack of support offered by the Bontrager tires with their comparatively soft carcass. It’s critical to find the right pressure or, if need be, to resort to an alternative set of tires such as the Vittoria Terreno Dry, which won our gravel tire group test. Apart from the high-speed handling, it is only the undamped rear end that diminishes rider confidence aboard the Trek as it bounces the rider out of the saddle during big compressions.

Tuning-tip: handlebar with more flare and more compact drops

Conclusion

Thanks to its light-footed acceleration and willing climbing capabilities, the Trek Checkpoint SL 7 ticks all the boxes for intense and fun gravel rides that are all about performance. Competitive gravel fans get a well-specced and lightweight gravel bike that’s been cleverly designed. The riding position is too stretched for those who prefer taking it easy and enjoying the scenery. In addition, the limited adjustment range of the seatmast cap makes a test ride mandatory before buying.

Not sure which gravel bike you should buy? This guide will help you for sure: gravel bike buyers guide.
You wonder what tires to put on your gravel machine? We recently tested the best gravel tires against each other in our gravel tire group test.

---

More information here: trekbikes.com

The testfield:

Get an overview of this group test: The best gravel-bike 2021 – 13 models on review

All bikes on review: 3T Exploro Race EKAR 1X13 (Click for review) | ARC8 Eero (Click for review) | BMC URS 01 ONE (Click for review) | Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty 3 (Click for review) | Canyon Grail CF SLX 8 eTap (Click for review) | Fustle Causeway GRX600 (Click for review) | OPEN WI.DE. (Click for review) | Ridley Kanzo Fast (Click for review) | Ritte Satyr (Click for review) | ROSE BACKROAD FORCE ETAP AXS LIMITED (Click for review) | ROSE BACKROAD AL GRX RX600 1X11 (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Diverge (Click for review) | Trek Checkpoint

---

Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of GRAN FONDO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality cycling journalism. Click here to learn more.

Words: Photos: Valentin Rühl