Trek Checkpoint….

Anyone got an opinion on them?

I have a Domane, which I really like apart from the rim brakes. I live bloody miles from any decent mountain biking and was rather taken by the idea of some shininess…

I had this vague idea it might be suitable for some rides from home over winter to get me out in a few shorter rides. At present it’s always nothing or some biggish lakes day, and I think I need a bit more regular shorter, non epic days..

But in reality I just want to buy some shit….. shall I buy a Checkpoint? or hope that the Epic Evo Pros come back in stock…. or perhaps an Edit in anticipation of next summer.

Waffle/

My riding buddy has one from around 2019/20.  I also have a Shand with geometry that splits the difference between a Domane and Checkpoint.

We rode a gravel event earlier this year when he was on said Checkpoint with 40c knobblies while I chose to ride a 650b flat bar Kona hybrid.  The Kona was hugely more capable offroad than either the Checkpoint (or my Shand would have been).

So IMO this type of bike best thought of as a general relaxed roadie with strengths on rough roads and lanes, even though Trek have updated the Checkpoint recently to make it more off-roady.  That may be just what you’re after…

What do you want it for?

For roady stuff out into the Cheshire lanes, the Domane is fine, rim brakes an’all

If you want to something slightly more gravelly/canals/mildly bumpy, are you set on drop bars? If not, I can heartily recommend a Giant Fastroad AR Advanced. I’ve just got one on C2W and it is rapid and excellent for such things.

We rode a gravel event earlier this year when he was on said Checkpoint with 40c knobblies while I chose to ride a 650b flat bar Kona hybrid. The Kona was hugely more capable offroad than either the Checkpoint (or my Shand would have been).

Mmm yes. In many ways the gravel bike thing is pointless. I agree that loads of other bikes would be better off-road.  I guess I’m after one partly because it is rubbish off-road, rather than despite it being rubbish off road.

Basically the same as many people these days I am hugely overbiked unless I drive a long way. So perhaps looking for something to make the local stuff slightly more engaging.

What do you want it for?

No good reason really. Just a daft attempt to get myself out on more local rides.

For roady stuff out into the Cheshire lanes, the Domane is fine, rim brakes an’all

You’re right. I guess I’m hoping for a bit more off road.  Bits and pieces of flat single-track and stuff

If you want to something slightly more gravelly/canals/mildly bumpy, are you set on drop bars? If not, I can heartily recommend a Giant Fastroad AR Advanced

I’ll take a look. Part of the reason for drop bars is as above. It’s supposed to be a bit shit off-road

Let’s be honest, if I wanted the best tool for the job I’d take my Anthem.

Thanks for the info….

OK.

Just to be frank the reason is:

I’m getting old, and slow, and unfit.

I live in a MTB desert.

I hate driving Manc rush hour

Many of the times I met y’all in Disley I’d have ridden there, but that ends up being a minimum 70km ride. Which I’m no longer capable of surviving a week’s work after. So I don’t do it.

And solo Cheshire lanes in the evening ain’t fun.

I’m bored, depressed and, like many sad fat middle aged men, think I can solve a problem by chucking money at it.

Last ditch attempt to save my mojo basically

think I can solve a problem by chucking money at it.

Chuck even more money at it and move house 🙂

Series 4 Domane ebike? Can run up to 40mm tyres, Ive the std wheels running 32mm tyres for road and a second wheelset kitted out with 40mm knoblies for my occasional road/forest track stuff. It’s been great for getting me out and about after some real shitty health stuff and the realisation that I will never get back to my previous fitness levels. Certainly helped me to get off my arse and get my mojo back.

Yes, get one. I’ve always thought the Checkpoint (or was it the Crockett?) looked belting.

A gravel bike with 42mm tyres is a good deal faster on the road than an MTB, in my experience.

Yes, they’re shit off road, but good fun on smooth singletrack, fire roads, footpaths etc.

For many of the reasons you mention (plus a bit of commuting) I am getting a trek dual sport as I dont like curly bars. I say go for it.

Chuck even more money at it and move house 🙂

Good point well made. Kid’s got 8 months more school….

Series 4 Domane ebike?

I’ve never got the point of road e-bikes. For me the only point in road riding is the numbers/exercise aspect, and occasionally the joy of lashing along in a group at reasonable pace. Doing that on an eeb would be pointless for me.

I totally get that it worked for you though….

On one freeranger is a great frame for the sort of local mix and match riding you describe. Loads of clearance. I’ve had 45mm with full guard on mine.

I upgraded to a Specialised Crux over the summer. Massive clearance again. Runs 47mm no problem. I absolutely love this bike for winter road, BWs, canals and cross racing.

Never tried the Checkpoint. Mate had one and likes it but I didn’t bother as I wanted more clearance

E-road bikes are good for keeping up with the younger, fitter riders, on the hills

E-road bikes are good for keeping up with the younger, fitter riders, on the hills

True

But the road club I occasionally go out with has 5 or perhaps even 6 different groups so I just choose a slower group if it comes to it.

You might keep up on the hills but as soon as the pace is above 15mph then your dead in the water.