Trek Checkpoint+ SL 5

Trek Checkpoint+ SL 5 – The entry point into Trek's e-gravel series

The USA is considered the birthplace of the gravel bike trend. Nowhere else offers such epic landscapes criss-crossed by equally epic gravel roads. It was only a matter of time before US manufacturer Trek developed an e-version of its classic gravel bike, the Checkpoint. The wait is now over: the new Checkpoint+ has rolled into our shops. Equipped with all the practical, no, indispensable features that already distinguished the previous Checkpoint: for example, the numerous mounting options for bikepacking accessories such as frame bags, water bottles and mudguards. The OCLV carbon frame has been redesigned to accommodate the TQ HPR60 mid-drive motor and its 360 Wh battery in an aesthetically pleasing way. The rear triangle and fork offer tyre clearance for widths up to 50 millimetres! This means you can compete with any mountain bike on the trail.

The SL 5 version of the Checkpoint+ comes with reliable Shimano components. At the heart of the drivetrain is the worry-free Shimano GRX 1x12 gear system with a wide gear range from 10 to 51 teeth on the cassette. The GRX groupsets were developed specifically for use on gravel bikes and function precisely even in adverse conditions. Hydraulic Shimano disc brakes provide plenty of stopping power. In addition, there are numerous in-house Bontrager parts such as the stem, handlebars and tubeless-ready wheels with puncture-resistant 42 mm tyres. Not to mention a lightweight carbon seat post for added comfort.

Aesthetics with comfort – OCLV frame, motor and battery from a single source

The engineers at Trek have mastered the challenge of developing a lightweight and agile e-gravel bike with flying colours. You have to look twice to recognise the Checkpoint+ as an e-bike. The drive system blends incredibly harmoniously into the new frame design. The highlight is the circular, extremely compact TQ HPR60 motor, which can provide a decent boost with a maximum torque of 60 Nm and 300 watts of power. The 360 Wh battery barely increases the size of the down tube, yet still provides an amazing range. Trek OCLV carbon frames have been a household name in the scene for years. Thanks to the specially developed IsoSpeed system, they are even more comfortable to ride than conventional carbon frames. At the heart of the vibration damping system is a flexible element on the seat clamp that decouples the top tube and rear triangle from the seat tube. Scientific studies show that riders of comfortable frames can stay in the saddle longer without fatigue.