Trek Checkpoint SL 5

Trek Checkpoint SL 5 - Carbon gravel bike with innovative damping system

One thing is certain: a gravel bike will bring a breath of fresh air to your everyday cycling life. Trek's Checkpoint model range is more versatile than ever: from training on mixed terrain to fast commutes to the office and multi-day tours with small luggage. From sport to adventure, it's all there. Even on your home turf, you will discover many new routes because you are no longer confined to tarmac roads. Another argument: with all its clever details, the Checkpoint stands for genuine Trek quality. The frame offers numerous mounting options for bikepacking accessories such as frame bags, water bottles and mudguards. If you are mainly riding off-road, you can fit tyres up to 45 millimetres wide. This corresponds to 2.1 inch tyres, which is almost comparable to a cross-country mountain bike. Another clever feature is the Blendr system developed by Trek, which allows you to attach lights, bike computers, smartphones and other accessories to the cockpit in no time at all.

The highlight of the Checkpoint SL 5 is the carbon frame with the innovative IsoSpeed damping system. You can find out more about this impressive technology below. The frame is equipped with a clever mix of components from the Shimano GRX groupsets, which were specially developed for gravel bikes. After all, durability is particularly important in this area of use. The GRX820 rear derailleur and GRX410 brakes offer the usual precise Shimano performance even in dusty, dirty and wet conditions. Thanks to the double chainring and 12-speed cassette, the result is a powerful mountain gear ratio. A carbon seatpost and, above all, the lightweight Bontrager wheelset make the Checkpoint SL 5 unbeatable in this price class.

Trek OCLV Carbon - The classic in lightweight construction

The OCLV Carbon developed by Trek has been a household name in the scene for years. There are different series for different bike classes, from mountain bike to road bike. The 500 Series variant is slightly less complex in construction than the wafer-thin 800 OCLV. Specifically, the difference is around 400 grams. However, it is not just the lower weight that distinguishes a carbon frame from an aluminium frame. Rather, the material offers better opportunities to specifically improve stiffness at neuralgic points. Nevertheless, the Trek OCLV frames are extremely comfortable to ride. On the one hand, carbon has a natural inherent damping effect that minimises vibrations. But Trek goes one step further with its specially developed IsoSpeed system: it is based on a flexible connection that decouples the top tube from the seat tube. In addition, the seat tube flattens out above the bottom bracket like a kind of leaf spring. Studies show that the increase in comfort means that the rider tires less quickly than on a conventional frame.