Trek’s gravel lineup has been a one-bike display, with the Checkpoint because the do-it-all choice. It’s approachable, flexible, and able to going for giant miles or new riders getting their ft grimy. However let’s be truthful—gravel isn’t almost about journey anymore. It’s advanced right into a full-on fingers race. Now, gravel is stuffed with former Global Excursion and home pros, critical gravel-only athletes, and aspiring phenoms who desire a motorcycle that fits their ambitions. The similar is going for everybody who ft the road and peaked for a race. The “do-it-all” gravel motorcycle simply doesn’t reduce it anymore in the event you wanna be on the pointy finish of the sector. Trek has discovered an answer in its first devoted race-focused gravel motorcycle, the Trek Checkmate.
(All Footage: Jordan Villella/BikeRumor.com)
Trek’s Solution to Velocity-Obsessed Gravel Racers
Trek-Driftless (Trek’s devoted gravel workforce) is racing the premiere occasions on america off-road and gravel calendar, so it used to be just a subject of time prior to Trek constructed a correct race device.
The place does the Checkmate have compatibility in? The Checkmate slots into the gravel race phase along BMC’s Kaius, Canyon’s Grail CFR, Cervelo’s Aspero, and 3T’s Exploro. It’s a race device with little creature comforts that brings Madone Gen 8-inspired aero tube shaping and hyper-aggressive dealing with to the grime.
Aero, However Now not Like You’d Be expecting
The brand new Checkmate borrows many design parts from the Madone Gen 8 (you’ll be able to learn the total tech main points right here). Maximum notable is the sq. (storage-less) downtube, which dollars the standard aero development. As a substitute of depending on deep, teardrop shapes, Trek optimized all of the device—body, wheels, and really useful 38-40mm tires—to control airflow (if you wish to have better tire clearance pass to the up to date Checkpoint). It’s now not about remoted tube shapes however how air strikes across the motorcycle.
The knowledge backs it up: Trek claims the Checkmate is 5 mins and 54 seconds sooner than Unbound 200 at 200 watts in comparison to the Checkpoint SLR. That’s 38 seconds according to hour stored, which provides up whilst you’re grinding via 10+ hours of racing.
IsoSpeed & Built-in Cockpit
Trek assists in keeping IsoSpeed at the Checkmate, smoothing the trip whilst keeping up energy switch. The only-piece carbon handlebar stem (borrowed from the Madone and my non-public favourite) is aggressively fashioned, with a 3cm flare and a slight outward sweep—designed for optimum keep watch over when blasting via high-speed turns – tucked.
The Checkmate is mild. A Medium construct (SLR 9) tipped my scales at 7.53kg (16.60 lbs), making it one of the most lightest gravel race motorcycles I’ve ever examined. That’s a complete pound lighter than a related Checkpoint SLR 9 with the entire bells and whistles.
How did they make it lighter? The Trek’s 800-Collection OCLV Carbon has a little to do with it, however the spec is top-tier, too. The brand new SRAM RED XPLR (reviewed right here) is mild, and whilst you upload the Bontrager Aeolus 37 RSL wheels, one-piece RSL cockpit, and the entire top-end bits – you’re certain to have a light-weight device.
Geometry: Decrease, Shorter, and Constructed to Rip
Whilst the gravel development is leaning lengthy and occasional, Trek shortened the achieve in comparison to the Checkpoint whilst maintaining stack heights identical. Should you’re coming from a Checkpoint, you could desire a longer stem to check your have compatibility.
Fitted inventory with 38mm RSL gravel tires
The dealing with is dialed for pace and has a a lot better really feel than the run-on-the-mill gravel geometry. The Checkmate will get an 80mm backside bracket drop, which assists in keeping issues planted at excessive speeds. It additionally ditches size-specific fork rake, leading to path figures that vary from 70mm (XS) to 62mm (XL). The medium (54cm) I examined put me within the candy spot for an competitive, snappy really feel and predictable using at the grime.
Builds, Pricing & ProjectOne Customization
Trek assists in keeping the Checkmate lineup easy and race-ready, providing two entire builds and a frameset choice:
SLR 7 AXS (SRAM Pressure XPLR 1x): $8,299.99
SLR 9 AXS (SRAM Crimson XPLR 1x): $11,999.99
Frameset: $3,999.99 USD
There are not any budget-friendly variations right here—Trek is laser-focused on efficiency, now not entry-level accessibility. And if the inventory builds aren’t fairly proper, ProjectOne means that you can tweak the specifications (like crank period, bar width, or customized paint).
Journey Impressions: Trek Checkmate SLR 9
Instantly out of the field, I may just simply mirror my street have compatibility. The Checkmate has an excessively Madone 8-like really feel, such a lot in order that I sought after extra of a street really feel than a cyclocross or gravel “fit.” I used my mountain motorcycle pedals, alternatively, to present it real-world gravel remedy, and to be truthful, I don’t like racing gravel in my street pedals, particularly on a path with a variety of unmarried observe.
Contact Issues
After dialing my setup, I hit the street on my quest for gravel. I’m very conversant in the entire parts and touchpoints on the Checkpoint. The Bontrager RSL aero bars are considered one of my favorites available on the market, and the similar is going for the Aeolus RSL saddle.
Each have an excellent feeling when in a extra aerodynamic place and are very good when paired. The moving is some other favourite of mine, and I’ve the similar RED XPLR team on my non-public gravel motorcycle. The levers pair really well with the RSL aero-focused bars; I went for a 120mm/40(38.5)cm bar/stem setup. The up to date SRAM levers are somewhat longer, and provide very good hand placement. One thing I think is significant on a off street drop bar motorcycle.
Having a sequence information is a pleasing bonus however reasonably useless with the tremendous retention of the SRAM Transmission XPLR groupset. However, it’s at all times higher to be protected than sorry, and not anything is worse than a dropped chain within the warmth of the race.
Being so pleased with the have compatibility and touchpoints, I may just really feel the delicate bits of the Checkmate trip. At the street, I felt like I used to be at the Madone with better tires. The pedaling reaction is excellent, and the body is stiff, however the ISO-Velocity dampner softens up the trip and not using a “bounce” really feel.
Diving out and in of corners, the Checkmate feels extra like a street motorcycle than a gravel motorcycle, and I’m certain thats what Trek used to be in search of. However the sensation is strong, the motorcycle is longer, and the have compatibility is decrease, so I felt tucked in using.
Gravel Checkmate
After I hit the gravel (somewhat chunky), I felt robust and strong. The ISO Velocity labored smartly, and the brand new D-shaped seat put up helped with the herbal really feel of the suspension. There may well be a large number of different comments as smartly. The body has a very good sensation when rolling on gravel, virtually like a street motorcycle with gravel tires.
The tires themself are slender (by means of these days’s requirements) and are extra of a euro-gravel taste. They’re the brand new Trek RSL Gerona gravel tires, and they’re my taste of gravel tire. A smooth-rolling middle tread with sufficient knobs (paying homage to the older Bontrager GR tires) to grip free grime and gravel. They’re indisputably now not a dirt climate tire, but when the gravel is rainy or damp, they paintings effective. The 220 TPI carcass roll effectively and really feel extra like a cotton tire at the street.
On tender grime and packed gravel, the Checkmate flies. It’s responsive, stiff, and desperate to boost up. Dealing with is sharp, and whilst it’s strong at excessive speeds, it additionally likes to be driven into corners. However there’s a tradeoff—once I hit extra technical sections, the locked and loaded had me running tougher to stick tender.
And whilst some will whinge concerning the loss of inside downtube garage, I didn’t omit it. This motorcycle is set reducing weight, now not including it. Trek’s customized body bag is a slick choice if you want garage.
Will it Put Your Pageant in Checkmate?
Trek in spite of everything delivers a purebred race gravel motorcycle that lives as much as the hype. The aero advantages are genuine; the burden is terribly low, and the dealing with is tuned for pace. I will’t say it’s the quickest gravel motorcycle available on the market (too many to choose between), but it surely’s in my peak 3. The Trek Checkmate is an all-out gravel race motorcycle, and in the event you wanna win races, motorcycles like this (at the side of correct coaching and diet) assist immensely.
The disadvantage? The fee. Trek’s providing isn’t entry-level; a frameset prices $4,000, making it some of the pricey. There are solely two builds nowadays. Each are SRAM and 1X, beginning at $8,300 and $12,000 for the type we examined.
Trek.com
