84 Trek Checkpoint ALR5 Long Term Review - Is it The Best Gravel Bike? Good Points & Bad points 

Great video! I much prefer long term reviews, it removes the "ooh, new shiny!" bias. Thanks for sharing

*Looked at a lot of options for getting my **Latest.Bike** . Great find in SAVA. Super light, nice components, really good value as it comes with many options only found in much higher priced bikes.*

I'm very late to the discussion, but: I have the exact same bike, and I agree with almost everything you say here. It's a brilliant bike for the money. The brake cable routing along the front fork is indeed amateurish. In fact, the front fork itself is a little disappointing. Trek is famous for its high-quality carbon layup, but they clearly decided to save some money here; the fork makes annoying little buzzing noises at low speeds on bumpy road surfaces. I also agree about the spec-ed wheels: I replaced them within months, with carbon rims and DT Swiss 350 hubs, and the bike is a dream to ride now. I'm mostly on paved roads, so I installed 32mm road tires, and, as you predicted, the ALR5 is in fact a pretty decent endurance road bike! I don't totally agree with your assessment of the 105 groupset, though. It's a really good groupset overall, and I still use most of it, but if you're riding up a lot of steep hills and/or carrying a lot of gear (I like touring and bikepacking), the 34/50 chainring is a problem. I swapped in a GRX 30/46 chainring in its place, and with an 11/34 rear cassette, and since then have been able to ride over pretty much every hill I've come across so far, even while fully loaded. Great review; your assessment was to the point, honest but fair, and you clearly communicated a love of cycling.

The better review I have seen yet on this bike , you have done an A+. Thanks.

External routing makes a lighter strong fork, my 4.5k giant is still External

Thanks for the review of the Checkpoint. You were more than fair in your assessment especially regarding the stock wheel set. I looked at it for my needs but decided on the Domane SL5 as I am 100% on road. It too, comes with Shimano 105 and I believe the wheels are identical to the Checkpoint (not necessarily the best). The down side to this purchase, which I made September 21, 2020, is that it won't be delivered until July 19th, 2021. Originally the delivery was scheduled for May 3, 2021, then June 19, 2021 and most recently July 19, 2021. To be fair, all businesses have been impacted by COVID, but it seems the bike business has been impacted more so than most. While the delay is quite a pain, I'm hoping the quality of the Trek will make wait well worth it.

Your right about group set 2 by gives the bike more flexibility. I have the SL6 and done lots of road riding with 32mm road tyres, run 38mm nobble tyres during winter. Only downside I’ve got is not being able to fit a cadence sensor. Rear Decoupler works really well off road on carbon checkpoints. Great video and review. 👍

Great review Paul, you've put me off (for the right reasons) buying a second hand 2021 GRX as I would lean more on the road riding... Clear and honest review and enjoyed watching it, good stuff! ....... the cable ties on the forks, laazzzzzyy! :D

Great vid. Very helpful point about the 105/grx sets. Big question as someone planning on a second bike after a lifetime of singletrack riding for fire and farm roads and pavement to get there.

I have the 2021 model in teal. Colour took a bit of getting used to but the GRX is fine on the roads. It’s good for getting up hills too. 40mm tyres are really comfy on and off road and aren’t really a hindrance to speed. I’m not a racer but do lots of long rides - 50-100 milers and this is my “go to” bike for endurance. The tyres aren’t great though. They’ve stuck budget 60TPI - the 120TPI would last a lot longer. My rear tyre is well on the way at just 2k miles - but, you can’t have everything for under £2k.

I like don't like cable ties to hold cables, my Genesis croix de fer uses cable ties to hold all the cables in place, I remember it the old days, used to have braze on cable guides.

Thanks for the review, Paul. I've had this bike--2020 model--for over a year and love it. I'm on pavement 70% of the time but it's more fun off road. My question for you is, when you made reference to the bearing failure at 2000K, was that this bike? Should I be on the lookout for something like that? I'm approaching that milestone.

Nice review Paul, built to a budget will account for its minor shortfalls but still a good looking and value for money bike. The front brake hose appears to be routed the same method on the newer models too which does let the look down. Enjoy riding it.👍

Thanks for this review. It was very informative. How is your summer bike distinct from the Checkpoint?

Your Trek is a nice looking bike! I use Shimano 105 on all my bikes. Great value and durability.

A really helpful review Paul, thanks for the detail. You have made me very pleased with my choice of the 2021 model ALR5 which I have on order with my local Trek dealer, to arrive in August this year. I ride 50-50 road and trail and I think the GRX gearing for me will be ideal, and will be much easier for climbing than my Giant Defy road bike. Good video, thanks for posting.

Great review. I see you’re running a power meter with your setup. I’ve just purchased one of these, and I want to have power. What have you gone with? Is.it compatible with mountain bike pedals (assuming you use those)?

I ordered one of these in Aug this year. If all goes to plan I should be getting it Sep of next. I can't wait!

I have my ALR4 2021 model delivered on Monday. Really looking forward to it. It's the last in my size I could find here in Sweden. The ALR5 was impossible to find and expected in the autumn or next year at the earliest.

Thanks for this. I am currently trying to decide on what to buy and have narrowed my choice down to the Ribble CGR 105 Enthusiast and the Trek Checkpoint 2021 in Teal. I am not a fast rider and mainly want enough gears to get me up hills and will be mainly riding it on roads/paths. I would have preferred the 105 groupset on the Ribble over the GRX on the Trek. Do you think the GRX will be good enough for road riding (considering I am only riding for leisure and not wanting to break any records)? The Trek model I've seen is actually 2x with a 46/30 chainring and an 11-34 cassette. I don't really fully understand gear ratios so do you think this is a good choice over the Ribble? Thanks

2021 model has a 46-30 double crank set(edit so 50*11 is the only gear bigger)

So how much was the bike new? My Topper was £1200 new, 2019 model, but... yes a but, it’s only a shadow of it’s former self😁 Lucky, I was supposed to be reviewing my Gravel Bike this week, but the gardening got in the way😂 I’d expect the same reason your wheel bearings to go as did your BB mate. All weather riding in the U.K. means wet weather riding and wet grimy roads to add. I’ve had new bearings in my Hopes for the same reason and I don’t always ride just the Topper these days. 105 is king in my eyes, no need for Ultegra as not a huge amount in it, though price! Only issue is the 50/34, not sure how great that will be bike packing/touring. Another reason the Topper won for me, 46/32 crank and 105 the rest, just gave me more as to off-road. Anyway, as always each to their own, good review Paul😊👍

I heard canyons have good seatpost compliance 😂 I agree with the fork does seem a bit lazy especially with the rest of the cables being internal.

I purchase a checkpoint alr5 2023 model in 54 cm, I am 5'10 ro 70cm tall and no matter what I did to the bicycle it was too big for me, so I took it back. To bad no one at the shop could help me fit the bicycle, I am not the pro, but I guess they are not either.

i thinking about buying this bike but the frame is Aluminum. Is it too bumpy or a smooth ride? worth $2200? overall very nice bike.

The trek seems to be an pretty expensive bike,I guess. I love my Hercules Grand-tour bike which cost me 23€. It is one of these former bikes which are now standing in garages all over the country. Never been used. Best wishes from germany

What mudguards brand do you use on the bike ?

In Brazil that bike costs 20k and the average salary is 1200.