Thanks for letting us sit in on the build. I haven’t done bicycle work since the 80’s when I worked on my Mongoose BMX bike, so it’s always fun to watch a professional work on the new stuff. I picked up a Checkpoint SL5 on March 5th. It’s the radioactive red version. She is a beauty. I'd been riding mostly road (on our river greenbelt and such) on a Trek Marlin 7 for the last 4 seasons. I did 1550 mi. last year and had a total of 5200 miles for the 4 years. I finally decided that I was using the wrong tool for the job and got the Checkpoint. It is amazing how big a difference 10 lbs can make with a bike. I've already done over 700 miles this year and climbed over 13k ft. I did a ride in April for my 60th birthday. I did 65+ miles, taking care of 2 of my goals: 60 for my 60th and a metric century. Now to work more on the climbing muscles.
Great video, most instructive. I'm swapping a groupset onto a 2024 Checkpoint SL size 49 and the hose routing in the head tube is becoming tricky (it's a 49 and that means it's cramped ) I looks as though you route both hoses up through the the left side of the head tube and use the 2 left hand holes in the Headset routing cap grommet ?
Besides the great new color, is it worth the upgrade? SLRs are super expensive. A ton of money to save .7 lbs for a less functional bike (less mounts, ability for a dropper, etc). Curious to the advantage of an SLR vs the SL (I own an SL5)
@@bicyclestation The geo should be exactly the same according to Trek and the numbers they post on their site. Weight difference between an SL and an SLR frame should be .992lbs...not nothing, but also not a lot... certainly not worth the price gap. But that's why they killed off the SLR now and went for Checkpoint and Checkmate I guess. Be that as it may, the new one is a looker for sure (the Gen2 looks way nicer than either of the new gravel bikes Trek brought this year, too) and I totally get, that when you do a build anyways, you go for the higher quality frame. I think it's awesome that you can build a bike for your dad "just like that". I'm sure he is proud of you!
Beautiful color on that SLR. The SL also! I have a question. I just bought a new Checkpoint SL6 from my LBS and I was wondering if this is normal or not..Underneath the rubbery carbon armor on the downtube there are 2 holes, slightly off center, on the non drivetrain side. They arent the holes with plugs further down for an extra water bottle. They're totally concealed by the carbon armor. Someone told me its for optional di2 battery mount, and someone else said he thought it was for another water bottle holder. Do your Checkpoints have these holes? I'm hoping its normal and not a manufacturer defect.
Thanks for letting us sit in on the build. I haven’t done bicycle work since the 80’s when I worked on my Mongoose BMX bike, so it’s always fun to watch a professional work on the new stuff.
I picked up a Checkpoint SL5 on March 5th. It’s the radioactive red version. She is a beauty.
I'd been riding mostly road (on our river greenbelt and such) on a Trek Marlin 7 for the last 4 seasons. I did 1550 mi. last year and had a total of 5200 miles for the 4 years. I finally decided that I was using the wrong tool for the job and got the Checkpoint. It is amazing how big a difference 10 lbs can make with a bike. I've already done over 700 miles this year and climbed over 13k ft. I did a ride in April for my 60th birthday. I did 65+ miles, taking care of 2 of my goals: 60 for my 60th and a metric century. Now to work more on the climbing muscles.
Great stuff, even better with the family making an appearance!
great looking bike and nice informative video
What a gorgeous bike!! Dad has a cool shirt too
Thanks!
man I'm still riding my 2020 sl6 with upgrades, after your last review of your slr now this slr build I'm really wanting to get the updated version!!
It’s worth it. Let me know if you want me to order you one
I just bout a 21 sl6, what was a noticeable upgrade for you to look at? Im new to gravel.
Great video, most instructive. I'm swapping a groupset onto a 2024 Checkpoint SL size 49 and the hose routing in the head tube is becoming tricky (it's a 49 and that means it's cramped ) I looks as though you route both hoses up through the the left side of the head tube and use the 2 left hand holes in the Headset routing cap grommet ?
Gorgeous bike
Besides the great new color, is it worth the upgrade? SLRs are super expensive. A ton of money to save .7 lbs for a less functional bike (less mounts, ability for a dropper, etc). Curious to the advantage of an SLR vs the SL (I own an SL5)
The geo is slightly different also. Its more then .7
@@bicyclestation 👍
@@bicyclestation The geo should be exactly the same according to Trek and the numbers they post on their site. Weight difference between an SL and an SLR frame should be .992lbs...not nothing, but also not a lot... certainly not worth the price gap.
But that's why they killed off the SLR now and went for Checkpoint and Checkmate I guess.
Be that as it may, the new one is a looker for sure (the Gen2 looks way nicer than either of the new gravel bikes Trek brought this year, too) and I totally get, that when you do a build anyways, you go for the higher quality frame.
I think it's awesome that you can build a bike for your dad "just like that". I'm sure he is proud of you!
Beautiful color on that SLR. The SL also!
I have a question. I just bought a new Checkpoint SL6 from my LBS and I was wondering if this is normal or not..Underneath the rubbery carbon armor on the downtube there are 2 holes, slightly off center, on the non drivetrain side. They arent the holes with plugs further down for an extra water bottle. They're totally concealed by the carbon armor. Someone told me its for optional di2 battery mount, and someone else said he thought it was for another water bottle holder. Do your Checkpoints have these holes? I'm hoping its normal and not a manufacturer defect.
I don’t know off the top of my head. Should be able to pull the schematic for the bike and check tho
Can you buy that as a frame and fork only?
100%. Shoot us an email if your interested in getting one!
Hi there. I just watched this video and I’m in the market for a checkpoint. How did you order that color, I don’t see that option anywhere?
I can order the exact same color still if you want me to. It’s a project one
Way to hook dad up
How where you able to get a frame only slr?
project one. we just ordered it
How tall is your father?
How tall are you?
In the other review you are riding a size 56 SLR P1