New Trek Checkpoint Driftless ALR 5 gets 1x gearing, dropper seatpost and threaded bottom bracket

By Jack Evans

Published: Thursday, 28 July 2022 at 12:00 am

The new Trek Checkpoint Driftless ALR 5 loses a chainring, gains a dropper seatpost and is switched to a threaded bottom bracket.

Evolutions in the spec reflect wider gravel tech trends, such as the rise of 1x gearing and the adoption of dropper posts.

The new alloy gravel bike retains numerous frame mounts from previous versions of the Trek Checkpoint ALR, reflecting the popularity of bikepacking and ultra-endurance racing.

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The frame paint has a glossy finish.
Trek

The new bike’s geometry is unchanged, according to Trek. But it does have a custom paintjob the brand describes as ‘Satin Cobra Blood’.

Trek says the new “exceedingly versatile” entry-level Checkpoint is “suited to a wide variety of riding styles, including gravel rides, bikepacking and daily commutes”.

The bike is built with a set of Bontrager Paradigm SL tubeless-ready wheels. These have an internal width of 21mm and come fitted with 700 x 40c Bontrager GR2 120 TPI tyres.

The frame has clearance for 700 x 45c tyres, according to Trek, which is enough to fit many of the best gravel tyres.

Baggage allowance

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The Driftless ALR 5 can carry lots of bottles and bags.
Trek

Besides seat tube and down tube bottle cage bosses, the Driftless ALR 5 has extra mounting points further up and on the other side of the top tube. 

This enables you to fit four water bottle cages or, as Trek has done, attach a frame bag, which comes as standard with the bike. 

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The bag is mounted to the frame, but it also has straps.
Trek

Trek says the custom-made Bontrager bag features a topographical map design based on the Driftless region of the brand’s home in Wisconsin. 

In addition, a trio of bosses run down the carbon fork. Trek says you can also fit mudguards to the chainstay mounts. 

The new Trek Checkpoint Driftless ALR 5 weighs a claimed 9.6kg in size 56 without the frame bag.

This would be 600g lighter than the old model in the same size, despite having the same 300 Series Alpha Aluminium frame. The weight saving is likely to come from shedding a chainring and front derailleur by going 1x. 

The Trek Checkpoint Driftless ALR 5 has increased in price from £2,150 to £2,700 / €3,220 / $3,280 / AU$4,695.95.

Change of gear and BB

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The front derailleur and second chainring have gone.
Trek

Unlike previous iterations of the Trek Checkpoint ALR, the new Checkpoint Driftless ALR 5 is equipped with a 1x drivetrain.

The old model had a Shimano GRX 2x setup comprising a 50/34t crankset and 11-34t cassette.

The 2022 bike has a single Shimano GRX RX600 40t chainring and the brand’s 11-speed SLX M7000 11-42t cassette at the back.

This large cassette gives a slightly smaller bottom gear and requires a Shimano GRX RX812 long-cage rear derailleur.

Brakes are upgraded from Shimano GRX RX400 to RX600 hydraulic discs with 160mm rotors front and rear.

Trek has also swapped the bottom bracket shell from a press-fit option to a threaded Praxis T47.

Fresh drop

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The Easton dropper provides 50mm of travel.
Trek

Trek’s most affordable gravel bike has an Easton EA70 AX seatpost that gives 50mm of travel.

This enables you to drop the saddle a modest amount. A lower centre of gravity can increase control when descending technical trails more associated with mountain bikes.