2020 Trek

Checkpoint AL 3

An aluminum frame gravel bike with mid-range components and mechanical disc brakes.
Compare the full range

MSRP$1,199
Weight23.1 lbs  
FrameAluminum
SuspensionRigid
ForkCarbon
Wheels700c Aluminum
Drivetrain2 × 9
GroupsetSora
BrakesMechanical Disc
Where to Buy
Similar Bikes

For This Bike

Accessories
Top Comparison
Insights
Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Rider Position
relaxedaggressive
Terrain
smoothrugged
Checkpoint AL 3
Other Gravel bikes
Gearing

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Lowest gear

(climbing)

39 mph

Checkpoint AL 3

36 mph

Similar Bikes

Highest gear

(descending)

Sizing
44cm

4'11" – 5'1"

49cm

5'1" – 5'5"

52cm

5'3" – 5'7"

54cm

5'5" – 5'9"

56cm

5'8" – 6'0"

58cm

5'10" – 6'2"

61cm

6'0" – 6'4"

Rider Fit Notes

None yet.

Do you have this bike? Help other riders make a decision about which size will work for them by sharing your own size and fit notes.

Reviews
Bicycling
The New Trek Checkpoint Line Is for Gravel Riders of All Kinds

Sep 2021

Updated geometry and differentiated models for speed, adventure, and all purpose riding

Read Review

Canadian Cycling Magazine
Trek Checkpoint SL 6: A first look at the new do-it-all gravel bike

Sep 2021 · Matthew Pioro

Also, a tour of the revamped Trek Checkpoint lineup of bikes and Adventure bags for mixed-surface adventures

Read Review

Velo
Bike of the year: Trek Checkpoint SL 5

Dec 2020 · Ben Delaney

Gravel bikes abound, but this one checks all the boxes, and at a great price.

Read Review

Gran Fondo Magazine
Trek Checkpoint SL 7 review

Dec 2020 · Benjamin Topf

Trek includes adjustable chainstays on their Checkpoint SL 7 gravel bike and offers new options for future gravel adventures like single-speed builds.

Highs
  • King of the climbs

  • Quick acceleration

  • Consistent spec

  • Many mounting points

Lows
  • Undamped rear flex

  • Limited adjustment range of the seatmast cap

  • Tires need more support at high speeds

Read Review

Cycling News
Trek Checkpoint SL7 gravel bike - first ride review

Jun 2020 · Laura Weislo

On early impressions, Trek's flagship gravel bike, the Checkpoint SL7, looks perfect for seekers of versatility and adventure

Highs
  • Lightweight, agile and responsive ride

  • IsoSpeed shock adds comfort

  • Underbody protection for the eye-popping paint job

Lows
  • SRAM Force eTap AXS 1X drive not suited to mixed road/gravel

  • Top tube is too wide near the seat tube

  • Toe overlap in the smallest size

Read Review

Cycling Tips
2020 Trek Checkpoint AL4 review: Simple and effective - CyclingTips

Mar 2020 · Abby Mickey

Trek’s Checkpoint was the most popular gravel bike of 2019, according to data Strava sent over last fall. Trek has sold a lot of them. This suggests that it’s a good bike, and indeed it is. But we found that it is good in a generic, pop-music, lowest-common-denominator, unoffensive-to-all kind of way. It takes few […]

Highs
  • An incredibly affordable bike that functions beyond its price, great for bikepacking, commuting, secret “groad” with your buddies, and more.

Lows
  • Heavy. It’s heavy. Also, it definitely needs a tire upgrade from the ones that come with it.

Read Review

Whistler Mountain Bike
2019 TREK Checkpoint SL6 Review

Mar 2020 · Dale Tiessen

Out of the saddle putting down maximum power into the Checkpoint, it feels like a nice carbon road bike.

Read Review

BikeRadar
Trek Checkpoint AL 4 review

Feb 2020 · Robin Wilmott

All-road versatility with refined road manners for a fine riding machine

Highs
  • Frame design and mounts, hydraulic Tiagra groupset

Lows
  • Chirpy mudguards

Read Review

Geometry
99 Spokes on YouTube99 Spokes on YouTube
Specs
Build
Frame

200 Series Alpha Aluminum, tapered head tube, Control Freak internal routing, rack & fender mounts, flat mount disc, 142x12mm thru axle

BB StandardBSA, 68mm, Threaded

Tire Clearance38c

Fork

Checkpoint carbon, tapered alloy steerer, rack & fender mounts, flat mount disc, 12x100mm thru axle

Bottom Bracket

Shimano RS500, 68mm, threaded external

Headset

FSA Integrated, sealed cartridge bearing, 1-1/8'' top, 1.5'' bottom

Stem

Size: 44, Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 70mm length; Size: 49, Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 80mm length; Size: 52, 54, Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 90mm length; Size: 56, 58, Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm clamp, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 100mm length; Size: 61, Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm clamp, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 110mm length

Handlebar

Size: 44, Bontrager Comp VR-C, alloy, 31.8mm, 100mm reach, 124mm drop, 38cm width; Size: 49, 52, Bontrager Comp VR-C, alloy, 31.8mm, 100mm reach, 124mm drop, 40cm width; Size: 54, 56, Bontrager Comp VR-C, alloy, 31.8mm, 100mm reach, 124mm drop, 42cm width; Size: 58, 61, Bontrager Comp VR-C, alloy, 31.8mm, 100mm reach, 124mm drop, 44cm width

Saddle

Bontrager Arvada Comp, steel rails, 138mm width

Seatpost

Size: 44, 49, Bontrager Comp, 6061 alloy, 27.2mm, 8mm offset, 250mm length; Size: 52, 54, 56, 58, 61, Bontrager Comp, 6061 alloy, 27.2mm, 8mm offset, 330mm length

TypeRigid

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

Shimano Sora R3000, mid cage, 34T max cog

Front Derailleur

Shimano Sora R3000, 31.8mm clamp

Crank

Size: 44, Shimano Sora R3000, 50/34 (compact), 165mm length; Size: 49, 52, 54, 56, Shimano Sora R3000, 50/34 (compact), 170mm length; Size: 58, 61, Shimano Sora R3000, 50/34 (compact), 175mm length

Shifters

Shimano Sora R3000, 9 speed

Cassette

Shimano Sora HG400, 11-32, 9 speed

Chain

Shimano Sora HG53, 9 speed

Brakes

Tektro C550 mechanical disc brake, dual piston, flat mount, 160mm rotor

TypeMechanical Disc

Wheels
Rims

Bontrager Affinity Disc, Tubeless Ready, 24-hole, 21mm width, presta valve

Spokes

14g aero stainless steel, black

Front Hub

Formula RX-512 alloy, 6-bolt, 100x12mm thru axle

Rear Hub

Formula RX-142 alloy, 6-bolt, Shimano 11-speed freehub, 142x12mm thru axle

Tires

Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite, wire bead, 60 tpi, 700x32c

Rider Notes
Riders Also Viewed

Last updated August 21
Not listed for 1,310 days