Trek is lastly electrifying its gravel lineup – fairly actually. The corporate has simply launched the Checkpoint+, its first-ever electrical gravel bike, and it’s greater than only a motor bolted onto an present body. With a brand new high-performance powertrain, severe journey credentials, and that unmistakable Trek polish, the Checkpoint+ seems able to fire up the e-gravel world.
On the coronary heart of the brand new Checkpoint+ is German motor maker TQ’s newest HPR60 motor, providing 350W of peak energy and 60Nm of torque, which is a noticeable bump over the HPR50 motor discovered on Trek’s Domane+ SLR. The HPR60 will not be solely lighter and quieter, but additionally manages to remain slim sufficient to take care of the modern and minimalist traces that gravel riders appear to like.
It’s paired with a 360Wh inner battery for a claimed 50-mile vary in Eco mode, and riders can lengthen that by 44% with an optionally available 160Wh vary extender that mounts in a bottle cage. The battery isn’t designed for handy day by day removing, although it may be accessed with instruments for infrequent servicing or substitute.
That help brings the bike as much as 28 mph (45 km/h) within the US, holding the bike in Class 3 territory. For riders exterior the US, sadly, help nonetheless caps at 25 km/h due to regional laws. As is frequent with European e-bike drivetrains, there isn’t any throttle choice because the bike is available in pedal help solely. For many gravel biking veterans although, that’s already to be anticipated.
The body makes use of Trek’s 500 Sequence OCLV carbon, with geometry carried over from the non-electric Checkpoint, together with the rear IsoSpeed decoupler for added consolation. Tire clearance is a wholesome 50mm, now changing into customary for top-tier gravel bikes to offer a variety of tire choices. There are additionally tons of mounting factors for racks, baggage, fenders, and bottle cages, serving to make this a legit bikepacking rig.
There are three builds within the lineup. The highest-spec Checkpoint+ SL 7 AXS brings the fancier elements with SRAM XO Eagle Transmission, carbon wheels, and a 40mm RockShox Rudy suspension fork. The SL 6 AXS and SL 5 variations follow inflexible carbon forks and dial again the drivetrain barely, utilizing SRAM GX AXS and Shimano GRX mechanical, respectively. All three are tubeless-ready, with valves and sealant conveniently included with the bike.
A discreet LED show is embedded within the high tube. Greater greenback riders will see coloration on the SL 7’s display screen, whereas it’s a monochrome affair on the decrease trims. For management, there are tiny distant buttons underneath the brake hoods that allow riders change help modes with out ever taking their arms off the bars.
US pricing begins at $5,999.99 for the SL 5, with the SL 6 AXS at $6,599.99, and the fully-loaded SL 7 AXS ringing in at $7,999.99.
Electrek’s Take
It’s about time Trek gave us an electrical gravel bike, and it seems just like the wait would possibly’ve been value it. The Checkpoint+ seems nice and appears to nail the main points. The brand new TQ HPR60 motor is a brilliant improve, the clear integration seems implausible, and the construct choices provide one thing for each performance-focused riders and long-haul adventurers.
That stated, practically $8K is plenty of cheddar for the top-end construct, even when it comes with a wi-fi SRAM Transmission and a suspension fork. And there’s no detachable battery, which is a bummer for anybody hoping to lighten the bike for lifts, carry a spare with them, or simply have the choice to swap out a battery themself if one thing goes fallacious down the street.
Nonetheless, the Checkpoint+ has all of the hallmarks of a premium Trek: refined, dependable, and prepared for no matter dusty detour you throw at it. For gravel riders seeking to go farther, quicker, particularly with out sacrificing the soul of the game by holding the ability pointed however modest, this might be your new finest buddy on the paths.
