Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 | First Time on a Gravel Bike 

I test rode one of these last week and fell in love! I never used a drop bar bike before so I was under the same assumption as how to hold the bike like you. The trek guy showed me you’re supposed to ride with your hands on the horns. You can brake and change gears there. The drops are for bringing you lower when trying to ride faster by reducing wind drag. And the middle up top is to give you a change in position to reduce fatigue. After learning that, I fell in love with how comfortable the bike is!

Loved your review!! “Feel like I’m flying, but not exerting a lot of energy!” I was on the fence, but you just helped me decide to get a Checkpoint!

You should get a gravel bike dude. They’re amazing fun. Also, if you put your hands on the brake hoods (the sticky up bits above the levers) you can brake and shift without having to be hunched in the drop bars all the time - that’s where most people ride road or gravel bikes

I just started looking for a gravel bike after being drunk-talked into signing up for a 100 mile gravel race in June (‘23). I am ordering one of these on Monday! Your “review” was the most entertaining of all the reviews I’ve watched. Thanks for making it look fun!

Oh and I ride my gravel bike mostly on the road but I take it through my city forest gravel trails and some very light XC trails once in a while too. It does amazing on the road because it soaks up all the cracks and potholes we have here in Maine. I can also go over drains/sewer caps if needed without a problem

You would be amazed, many people use gravel bikes on trails, some technical MTB trails. You can also hold the handlebar on the hoods to be more upright, which gives you access to the gears and brakes. I plan on buying one as “one” bike for multiple purposes. Awesome video

I'm 5'10" with a 70" wingspand and my gravel is 54" and my road is 53" and it is perfect. Man, I love gravel, I live close to a national forest and ride 50/100 miles on the roads with no problems and I couldn't ride that distance on a trail bike ( mtb ). I don't know about putting a $1500 road wheelset on one when you can buy a 16 pound road bike for $2500. That gravel is fast but when you start riding group road rides you are going to want a very fast bike. I got the revolt but I always wanted the checkpoint. Maybe you can work out a deal like I did, I got them down on a race bike and said it's a deal if they threw in a gravel bike $300 under list and they did it. But this was 2019 and deals were easier to come by. Great video man.

It's funny hearing you say "ohhhh this is fast!" I've been test riding gravel bike lately, and I agree - the Checkpoint feels really fast!

Dude…..U can brake from the hoods! Just put your hands on top of the hood stretch your hand a bit down. You don’t have to ride in the drops. I rarely ride in the drops..That’s only for if u wanna get real aero! Lol! You put a smile on my face bro!

My wife got a gravel bike recently: Specialized Diverge E5 (alloy) It cost $1300 and yea it’s light as a feather. She has a size 54 but it feels too small for me so I don’t really like it but yes, she’s faster than me on the street and rail trail now!

YESSS, I'm so glad you're trying out a gravel bike haha. You might want to check out some Domane's too if they ever get them in stock.

I have a 2020 Checkpoint ALR5 that I ride mostly on gravel roads in rural Kansas, there being very little pavement here. I spend most of my time with my hands on top of the brake hoods to maintain the upright riding position and have access to the brakes and shift levers too. I really enjoyed your video.

Awesome stuff! I definitely prefer mountain biking but got a gravel bike last winter when trails became frozen, wet quagmires lol I use it to keep in shape for mtb, generally stick to paved and gravel paths. Unless roads have a dedicated bike lane, I try to avoid 'em (for safety). Enjoyed the video, I say go for it! Hope to see some adventures on a gravel bike soon :) p.s. - try using the "hoods" next time! way more comfortable.

Gravel bikes are awesome! Great for all-around riding through town and countryside. You def need a smaller frame though.

It's fun watching you try out this bike, surprising you every second of the ride with its capability. I have this exact bike.

If you like riding far, and fast, gravel or road bike is where its at. I only rode MTB until a friend let me ride his road bike, WOW, FAST and with so little effort compared to my MTB. I love riding road bikes, and gravel bikes now, just add a bag or two and you can go for 60-75 miles with no problem. use the top of the hoods for the best of both worlds! Great stuff man!!

I just ordered mine same model with white colour yesterday. Your review is the entertaining. Thanks for the video.🎉

Man, you were flying! I'm testing one probably sometime this week, whenever they finish building it. Pretty excited to try it.

With slick tires it's even faster but wheelies are gonna be more difficult. If you are going to commute, and you don't want to spend money on a motorcycle, a bike like that is a choice. But if you use the bike for training, fun, doing wheelies, some light trail... a MTB for me, it get's you sweat more.

I rode a couple of fundraisers on my Roscoe. Couple climbs with those plus sized tires and "Roadies" just passing me like it's no big deal haha! The gravel and some straight bar gravel bikes have been looking good to me for these types of rides, I'll have to take one for a spin.

This is why I've ordered a gravel bike, for the winter... They fast as fuck boi!!!

I believe the size for you would be a 54. The size on those gravel bikes are some like the sizing on the road bikes. This 56 cm refers to 56cm of top tube from the seat tube to the head tube. I'm 6 foot tall and use a 57cm gravel bike (not trek). It is good but after some falls to the ground and the lack of stability of gravel and general trails (compared to the mountain bike) if I were to buy a 'gravel' bike again, it would be more like a drop-bar mountain bike. A high trail bike, dropper post compatible and steep seat tube angle. My experience so far with my gravel bike is good. And I found where it does a good job. The cardio training on the road or using the smart trainer. Helps me to get fitter to ride more mountain bike trails.

my experience was the opposite of you.. i was a road biker for my entire life until i bought an MTB a couple of years ago and realised that its a lot tougher than people make it look on youtube, lol

I'm 5' 9" and ride a 54 cm. I could probably get by with a 52, but a 56 would be too big for me. Happy with the 2021 Checkpoint ALR 5. Ymmv

Nice, I might need to try one out. I have both a full sus and hardtail MTB, but I don't really ride the hardtail except for on the smart trainer for Zwift. If you want to experience fast, you should try out a Madone, that is their arero racing road bike.

Nice! That looks so fun! Thank you for the video. Can I ask how tall you are? I am about 5'9" and I have a medium FX 3 but want to know what size I'd be on a Checkpoint.

Thinking about getting one of these used... wondering if it is geared well for long rides on the road though?

I was asking about one of these in my local shop last week. I wanted to get fitted first before I take the plunge but I am thinking hard about getting one of these to go with my Marlin 6

I have a road bike, and since my wife and I are the same height I can also ride her gravel bike. I love them both. I have a MTB on order, but still waiting. The wait is killing me 😐

Matty love your channel dude you seem like good people! Now buy a gravel bike, those handlebars look sick in front of the camera!

Can't wait for your reaction when you start riding an aero roadbike😂 I used to use gravel on road until I discovered aero roadbikes😂😂

Get it. I want one have a road and hardtail mob.

Were you in the highest gear when going that fast?

Was waiting for you to do a wheelie on that gravel bike LOL

Buy it!

Is it checkpoint ALR5 2022?? AWESOME

Spend the extra and get the SL5 trust

Checkout more road bikes Matty!

What if it had flatbars.

When was the Trek buy out?

Err hands on hoods easy to brake lots more comfy lol!!!

Did you actually get one?

Buy that bad boy

Road bikes are even faster and lighter!

what's the difference between that and a cyclocross

isnt a gravel bike just a road bike with large tires?

I want one

But does it wheelie?

How tall are you

So what happened? Did you leave the store happy? And $6,000 poorer? 😄

Your probably a 54, you can shift and brake from the top of the hoods.

Your most likely a 54 ( medium)

You from the hoods? Hold the hoods brother

i want one so bad....just the insane prices..ugly ugly