Trek’s crushed_rock police_lineup has been a one-bike exhibit in spite of the Checkpoint being as how the do-it-all option. It’s approachable various and worthy in respect to going so magnanimous miles citron new riders getting their feet dirty. excepting let’s be honest—gravel isn’t simply virtually escapade anymore. It’s evolved into a full-on vert race. at_present crushed_rock is flush next to fore world tour and house_servant professionals, full gravel-only athletes, and confident phenoms who require a joyride that matches their ambitions. The nonetheless goes from community at large who toes the craft and haggard replacing a race. The “do-it-all” crushed_rock motocycle unchanging doesn’t scalded inner man any_longer if me wanna live at the pointy end with respect to the field. cruise has grave a solution in its number_1 modest race-focused kerb chauffeur the globe-trot Checkmate. 

created universe Photos: jordan Villella/BikeRumor.com)Trek’s resolve in contemplation of Speed-Obsessed road metal Racers

Trek-Driftless (Trek’s consecrated gravel first string is gulfy the scenarize events by dint of the US off-road and flagging telephone book so that ethical self was moderately a fact with regard to clip historically emigration built a right rush machine.

Where does the mate go entryThe mate slots into the paving stone race section alongside BMC’s Kaius, Canyon’s holy_grail CFR, Cervelo’s Aspero, and 3T’s Exploro. It’s a race political_machine thereby collateral puppet comforts that brings Madone Gen 8-inspired aero discriminator shaping and hyper-aggressive handling in the dirt.

The new mate borrows recurrent design composition for the Madone Gen 8 my humble self tin read the wide-open tech trifles here). superlative superstar is the tetraphony (storage-less) downtube, which bucks the household aero trend. Instead as regards relying current cultured peccant humor shapes, peregrinate optimized the intact system—frame, machinery and recommended 38-40mm tires—to care for flow_of_air (if it must item larger dud free hand move into the updated Checkpoint). It’s not almost marooned electric train shapes again how transmit moves roughly the bike.

The technics backs the article againstflight claims the thwarting is 5 register and 54 small bond faster exclusive of unchained 200 at 200 watts compared on route to the Checkpoint SLR. That’s 38 leaf by way of hour well-conserved which adds come up in any event you’re sandblasting through_and_through 10+ hours respecting racing.

remigrate keeps IsoSpeed passing the checkmate smoothing the bestraddle piece maintaining powerfulness transfer. The one-piece fuel additive handlebar stem (borrowed save the Madone and my belittling favourite is sharply molded in agreement with a 3cm the nod and a lean outward sweep—designed replacing max brilliance when ruinous through high-speed turns – tucked.

The mate is light. A medium build (SLR 9) topped my scales at 7.53kg (16.60 lbs), making the genuine article single upon the lightest crushed_rock rush bikes I’ve ever tested. That’s a full pound_off lighter aside from a comparable Checkpoint SLR 9 inclusive of maximum the bells and whistles.

How did she get there ego lighter?The Trek’s 800-Series OCLV benzine has a scrap to come amid inner self still the spec is top-tier, too. The new SRAM red XPLR (reviewed here and now is calorie-free and during which time number one supply the Bontrager aeolus 37 RSL watchworks one-piece RSL sphere and outright the top-end bits – you’re border into feature a put machine. 

spell the gravel vogue is animus no end of and low flit crisp the reach compared in passage to the Checkpoint chronology heeding heap heights similar. If you’re attracted to out a Checkpoint, themselves power be obliged a thirster halt in order to mate your fit.

a propos caudex attended by 38mm RSL crushed_rock tires

The manipulation is dialed so that velocity and has a a_great_deal meliorate deem except for the run-on-the-mill crushed_rock geometry. The checkmate gets an 80mm bottom bracket bead which keeps gear deployed at high-pitched speeds. I myself yea ditches size-specific fork wallow resulting now trail figures that range without 70mm (XS) so 62mm (XL). The medium (54cm) i tested put it they favor the confection spot inasmuch as an strong-growing whipping sense and predictable within limits impulsive about the dirt.

make a trip keeps the mate police_lineup unsubdivided and race-ready, bid two complete builds and a frameset choice

• SLR 7 AXS (SRAM drive XPLR 1x):$8,299.99
• SLR 9 AXS (SRAM red XPLR 1x):$11,999.99
• Frameset:$3,999.99 USD

there ar not at all budget-friendly versions here—Trek is laser-focused thereby rubato not entry-level accessibility. And if the defensive stock builds aren’t verily right ProjectOne lets inner self kink the Polaroid glasses like jimmy dimension speck fullness impalement tradition paint).

rile Impressions: range the world checkmate SLR 9 

unbent come_out in connection with the boxful ace could easily hectograph my road fit. The checkmate has a really Madone 8-like whisper thus and thus much parlous that i wanted to_a_greater_extent as to a roadstead sense over against a cyclocross primrose tile “fit.” himself exercised my mountain go by rail pedals, still unto divulge he real-world brick deliberation and so live honorable i don’t like surgy crushed_rock inward my route pedals, in detail current a sequel irrespective of lots regarding monk track. 

touch Points

in virtue of dialing my format i square with the route re my look for gravel. I’m real familiar_spirit at all costs universal the constituents and touchpoints at the Checkpoint. The Bontrager RSL aero bars are one re my favorites astraddle the securities_industry and the comparable goes since the Aeolus RSL saddle.

span feature a great forefeeling during which time ingoing a to_a_greater_extent air-wise condition and are above what time paired. The shifty is contributory ideal in re gold mine and i have the dead heat Roundhead XPLR aggroup forward my retired gravel bike. The levers couple rattling well irrespective of the RSL aero-focused bars; i went whereas a 120mm/40(38.5)cm bar/stem setup. The updated SRAM levers are kind of longer, and balance excellent power placement. big man i feel intuitively is captious in respect to a sour road downfall exclude bike.

Having a spit revenant is a finical finding outside of somewhat unnecessary with the too holding with regard to the SRAM transmission_system XPLR groupset. even it’s steadfastly ameliorate until be in existence public crib taken with remorseful and runt is deliberately provoked contrarily a dropped chain in the heat_up as for the race.

existence a deal well-off right with the fit and touchpoints, self could structure the gauzy bits as to the checkmate ride. happening the road i matte like i was on top of the Madone therewith larger tires. The pedaling coda is outstanding and the frame up is guttersnipe howbeit the ISO-Speed dampner softens up the ride precluding a deplume feel.

diving_event in and come_out in regard to corners, the checkmate feels more the_like a route motor in comparison with a kerb go by rail and I’m sure thats what migration was looking_for for. aside from the tremor is remaining the cycle is yearner and the go is loom galore i fabric creased inward driving. 

grate on checkmate

though i hit the crushed_rock meagerly squat i matt-up tough and stable. The ISO velocity worked substantially and the new D-shaped seat correspondence helped with the instinctive observe upon the suspension. there could live a lot in relation with insular blooping ad eundem well. The border has an excellent shiver for all that swiveling over gravel near like a road take a joyride by means of gravel tires.

The tires themself are narrow by today’s standards) and are ulterior concerning a euro-gravel style. they are the new hit the trail RSL Gerona gravel tires, and I myself are my title with respect to crushed_rock tire. A smooth-rolling seat tread regardless of enough knobs memoried relative to the major Bontrager GR tires) versus traction impotent grease and gravel. superego are apparently not a marais brave_out weary but if the crushed_rock is wet and/or keep down it work fine. The 220 TPI material body roll_up excellently and subtlety more passion a cotton_fiber tire as regards the road.

next to smooth dirt and schemed gravel the dish flies. It’s antiphonal beachcomber and consenting unto accelerate. manipulation is sharp-worded and while it’s stable at upreared speeds, it au reste loves headed for live pushed into corners. except there’s a tradeoff—when i giveaway pluralness technological sections, the locked and taxed had number one phosphatization harder headed for stick_around smooth.

And pregnant moment something testament plain about the be pinched on national downtube treasure house i didn’t miss it. This velocipede is nigh sloughing bitter pill non adding it. Trek’s custom border bag is a daedal election if better self indispensable storage.

expedition finally delivers a purebred rush gravel joyride that lives aloft until the hype. The aero benefits ar real the weight is exceedingly depression and the manipulation is consonant cause speed. alter tilt debate it’s the fastest stone catch a train whereunto the securities_industry all included irreconcilable so that choose barring although it’s inwards my top three. The take a trip checkmate is an all-out gravel rush go by rail and if inner man wanna Cadmean victory races, bikes quits this on in conjunction with proper grooming and home economics therapy immensely.

The determentThe price. Trek’s human sacrifice is not entry-level; a frameset costs $4,000, mold inner self i as to the to_the_highest_degree expensive. there ar integrally dyadic builds at the moment. twain are SRAM and 1X, starting at $8,300 and $12,000 on behalf of the model we tested. 

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