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Checkmate SLR 9 AXS
A carbon frame gravel bike with ultra high-end components and sram hydraulic disc brakes.
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Manufacturer Price
$11,999| Weight | 16.6 lbs |
|---|---|
| Frame | Carbon |
| Suspension | Rigid |
| Fork | Carbon |
| Wheels | 700c Carbon |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 13 Electronic |
| Groupset | RED XPLR eTap, RED AXS |
| Power Meter | Red AXS |
| Brakes | SRAM Hydraulic Disc |
4'8" – 5'3"
5'1" – 5'5"
5'4" – 5'11"
5'9" – 6'3"
6'1" – 6'5"
6'3" – 6'8"
None yet.
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Summary
The Trek Checkmate is a lightweight, aggressive gravel race bike that excels in speed and efficiency, inspired by the Madone Gen 8's aero tube shaping. It features IsoSpeed technology for a smooth ride and is optimized for airflow, making it one of the fastest gravel bikes tested. While it offers excellent pedaling response and frame stiffness, its high price point and limited build options may deter some riders.
Lightweight, one of the lightest gravel race bikes tested
Aggressive handling and aero tube shaping inspired by Madone Gen 8
IsoSpeed for smoothing the ride while maintaining power transfer
Optimized system for managing airflow
Excellent pedaling response and frame stiffness
High price point, not entry-level
Limited build options, only two complete builds and a frameset option
Lack of internal downtube storage
May require a longer stem for those coming from a Checkpoint
Tires are narrow by today's standards and not ideal for mud weather
Trek finally delivers a purebred race gravel bike that lives up to the hype.
BikerumorThe new Checkmate is about 450 g lighter than the old Checkpoint SLR.
Canadian Cycling Magazine'The Trek Checkmate is just an incredibly fun bike to ride.'
CyclistThe Checkmate SLR 9 AXS is still surprisingly fast and agile-feeling on speedier surfaces.
BikeRadarIt’s ridiculously light and fast, and, honestly, I’m tempted to leave the review at that.
VeloFeedback?
View all reviews
Jul 2025 · Jan Fock
Trek Checkmate SLR in Our 2025 ravel Race Bike Comparison Test – A Clever Move or Checkmate by Its Own Hand?
Ergonomic cockpit
Excellent comfort thanks to Trek’s IsoSpeed technology
Lively, efficient acceleration
Rather narrow tires with poor grip and damping qualities
Jun 2025 · Pete Muir
When the gravel scene emerged a few years ago, it was with an American hipster vibe that was all about
Fast
Low weight
Aero
Plenty of tyre clearance
More aggressive than the Domane
All specs pricey
No in-frame storage for the non-racer
Better on non-technical off-road
Feb 2025 · Jordan Villella
Treks Checkmate SLR 9 is a rocketship gravel machine. Boasting gravel aerodynamic gains, locked and loaded fit, and top-of-the-line kit.
Aug 2024 · Ashley Quinlan
So far, the Checkmate SLR ticks most of the right boxes
Quick feeling
Predictable and confidence inspiring handling
Excellent specification
Customisable to a degree
Perhaps overly stiff cockpit
Tops profile may polarise opinion
No option of a shimano or campagnolo build
Aug 2024 · Matthew Pioro
First impressions of the speedy Trek Checkmate SLR that now sits at the top of the U.S. bike maker’s lineup
Aug 2024 · Will Tracy
Trek modernizes its gravel lineup with a new model that prioritizes speed.
| Frame | 800 Series OCLV Carbon, IsoSpeed, hidden fender mounts, integrated frame bag mounts, RCS Headset System, invisible cable routing, T47, flat mount disc, integrated chainkeeper, removable FD hanger, UDH, 142x12mm chamfered thru axle BB Standard: T47, Threaded Hanger Standard: UDH Tire Clearance: 45c Colors: Trek Black / Juniper Splatter; Matte Trek Black / Matte Deep Smoke; Matte Hex Blue / Plasma Grey Pearl; Olive Drab / Glowstick; Radioactive Red / Sedona Red; Buff Beige / Supernova Splatter; Era White / Buff Beige |
|---|---|
| Fork | Checkmate SLR full carbon, tapered carbon steerer, hidden fender mounts, flat mount disc, 12x100mm thru axle |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM DUB Wide Bottom Bracket, T47 threaded, internal bearing. For 47.5mm chainline. - XS, S, M, ML, L, XL: SRAM DUB Wide, T47 threaded, internal bearing; XS, S, M, ML, L, XL: SRAM DUB, T47 threaded, internal bearing |
| Handlebar | Handlebar/ Stem Integrated Trek Aero RSL Road OCLV Carbon Race Fit Mate Deep Smoke. Stem: -7 Degrees, Length: 70mm. Handlebar width: 37cm at the hoods, 40cm at the drops - XS: Trek Aero RSL Road integrated bar/stem, OCLV Carbon, Race Fit, 80mm reach, 124mm drop, 37cm control width, 40cm drop width, 70mm stem length; S: Trek Aero RSL Road integrated bar/stem, OCLV Carbon, Race Fit, 80mm reach, 124mm drop, 39cm control width, 42cm drop width, 80mm stem length; M: Trek Aero RSL Road integrated bar/stem, OCLV Carbon, Race Fit, 80mm reach, 124mm drop, 39cm control width, 42cm drop width, 90mm stem length; ML, L: Trek Aero RSL Road integrated bar/stem, OCLV Carbon, Race Fit, 80mm reach, 124mm drop, 41cm control width, 44cm drop width, 100mm stem length; XL: Trek Aero RSL Road integrated bar/stem, OCLV Carbon, Race Fit, 80mm reach, 124mm drop, 41cm control width, 44cm drop width, 110mm stem length |
| Saddle | Trek saddle Aeolus RSL, 7x10mm oval carbon rails, 155mm width, black - XS, S: Aeolus RSL, carbon rails, 155mm width; XS, S, M, ML, L, XL: Aeolus RSL, carbon rails, 145mm width |
| Seatpost | KVF aero carbon seatpost, 5mm offset, 280mm length Type: Rigid |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM RED XPLR eTap AXS, 46T max cog |
|---|---|
| Crank | SRAM RED 1 XPLR E1 Crankset w/ Power Meter, 42T, DUB Wide, 165mm, SRAM PN: 00.6118.680.013 - XS, S: SRAM RED XPLR, power meter, 42T, DUB wide, 165mm length; M, ML: SRAM RED XPLR, power meter, 42T, DUB wide, 170mm length; ML, L, XL: SRAM RED XPLR, power meter, 42T, DUB wide, 172.5mm length; XL: SRAM RED XPLR, power meter, 42T, DUB wide, 175mm length |
| Power Meter | SRAM RED 1 XPLR E1 Crankset w/ Power Meter, 42T, DUB Wide, 165mm, SRAM PN: 00.6118.680.013 - XS, S: SRAM RED XPLR, power meter, 42T, DUB wide, 165mm length; M, ML: SRAM RED XPLR, power meter, 42T, DUB wide, 170mm length; ML, L, XL: SRAM RED XPLR, power meter, 42T, DUB wide, 172.5mm length; XL: SRAM RED XPLR, power meter, 42T, DUB wide, 175mm length |
| Shifters | SRAM RED AXS E1 |
| Cassette | SRAM XG-1391, 10-46T, 13 speed |
| Chain | SRAM RED E1, 12/13 speed |
| Brakes | SRAM Paceline X, rounded, centerlock, 160mm Type: SRAM Hydraulic Disc |
| Rims | Front: Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37V, OCLV Carbon, Tubeless Ready, 37mm rim depth, 100x12mm thru axle, Rear: Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37V, OCLV Carbon, Tubeless Ready, 37mm rim depth, 142x12mm thru axle |
|---|---|
| Tires | Bontrager Girona RSL GR TLR Gravel Tire, 700x38mm - XS, S, M, ML, L, XL: Bontrager Girona RSL GR, Tubeless Ready, aramid bead, 220 tpi, 700x38mm; XS, S, M, ML, L, XL: Bontrager Girona RSL, Tubeless Ready, GR puncture protection, aramid bead, 220 tpi, 700x42mm |
| Disc Rotors | SRAM Paceline X, rounded, centerlock, 160mm |
First added June 27
Last updated June 23