Review: 2022 Trek Checkpoint SL 5 Converted to Touring Bike

In the summer of 2022, I bicycled 3669 miles (5905 km) from from Central Park in New York City to the Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito, California. When I planned my adventure, I wanted to purchase a bike that would serve me well both on… and after the adventure… on rail trails, as well as for bike packing. So, I purchased and converted a 2022 Trek Checkpoint SL5 gravel bike to a touring bike.

This video gives you a feel for the durability of the Checkpoint, especially, if you are a "heavier" cyclist. Stay tuned to the end to find out if I felt my decision to ride the Checkpoint coast to coast was a good one and whether I would buy this bike over again.

Be sure to hit the "like" button if this video has helped you out.

Modifications Made to the Checkpoint:
1. Fenders added - SKS Commuter 2 (Bluemel)
2. Rear Cassette changed to a mountain bike cassette - Shimano SLX CS-M7000-11
3. Saddle changed to Brooks Imperial B17
4. Bontrager GR1 Tubeless tires changed out for Schwalbe Marathon tube tire. The Bontrager GR1 lasted exactly 0.7m before getting a puncture so large that the fluid could not fill. Later in the ride, I added Stans fluid to the tubes to prevent goat head thorn punctures through the nearly bullet proof Schwalbe Marathon tires.

Great Adventure Cycling Videos:
@duzer
@FlyscoutRyder

0:00 Intro to the Ride
0:32 Purpose of the Video
1:00 How Convert Gravel Bike to Touring?
3:06 Why Convert Gravel Bike to Touring?
4:20 Would I Do It Again (The Conversion)?
8:30 Alternatives

[ingepearson]

Thanks for the honest review. Good to know where the breaking point was.

[bradleybikeboy]

I'm about to buy a SL5. Sounds like all you would have needed to do is purchase a pair of custom built wheels to handle the loads. Many online wheel builders out there can build you something to take the demand of touring. The stock wheels on these bike will never work for that kind of weight.

[Spazzroberts]

You’re amazing. I would love to do an epic journey like that. I’m looking at possibly to buy a 2022 Trek Checkpoint SL5 with carbon wheels, carbon seat post and SRAM Eagle GX shifting tomorrow.

[iketola]

Thanks for the great review! I’m considering a gravel for fast long rides on various surfaces, but also for bike packing and possibly everyday rides. The weight issue has been one of my concerns, and your video helped me reconsider and specify my needs and intentions regarding the gravel (and my other bikes). Greetings from Finland!

[andrewvillavicencio]

Thanks for the honest review. I am 200# and have done the entire GAP / C&O paths several times with loaded panniers on an old 1991 Cannondale M700. I just retired it (going to one of my kids) and bought the Checkpoint SL5. Looks like it will be durable if I get beefier wheels / tires. I agree on the Schwalbe Marathon Plus, I have yet to get a flat (knock on wood) on many on and off-road adventures.

[mkenyon]

The weak part of the Checkpoint is the wheels. Our local Trek store recommends to swap out for touring wheels like wheels from Velocity for a trip across the country. The other option would be the Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37V carbon wheels. Salsa bikes are also rated higher. I had asked them about the Warroad. Their response “As an ASTM Condition 2 bicycle the Warroad is rated for a 300lb rider and 55lbs of luggage!”

Oh good on ya for a fine trip. I want hope to do the GAP and C&O next year. I’m still deciding on what to ride.

[j.h.]

Incredibly detailed and well thought-out video—thanks so much for sharing

[tankwuli]

Thanks for the review based on your real world experience with this bike.

[pn]

Congratulations on completing your journey! Thanks for the honest review. I am getting my 2022 Checkpoint SL5 next week.

[matshallin]

Good job and great review/food for thought!

Thanks!

Mats from Sweden

[Possumsarepeopletoo]

Thanks Joe. Just what I was looking for. Have a 2022 checkpoint myself. Have some time on my hands, thought about doing same as you. Even have a broken in Brooks imperial wanting to get back out there. But, you make a very valid point. A review based on a real-world test like the one you put that bike through is invaluable.

[sabavoonfazli]

I have just purchased the Checkpoint SL7 2023 bike from Trek refresh barn, thinking about doing longer distances with it :) It is an absolute beast and beauty.

[fhotrod]

Your experience is a good advertisement for this bike. You punished it and if it had some upgraded wheels it would have been fine. I think I will be pulling the trigger on an SL-6 soon. Good price right now, and most people seem to like their checkpoints.

[Viddaprod]

Greetings from France ! nice and interesting video ! Got myself a checkpoint SL5 and I'am happy with it ! Nice to hear your own experience 🙂

[ThomasDawson-yuhi]

I really appreciate your video. I’m looking at the checkpoint for exactly the same reason you did, it’s versatility. That being said I plan to go with the aluminum version cause I feel it will handle touring better. However, I only considered an upgrade to the drive train for touring. I’ll add some bomber touring wheels to the list now too. Thanks again

[mariocouture]

Much useful information in that video. I have a very similar story to yours... I converted my bike for touring... But Gravel bikes have their limits and your experience surely provides great lessons. Thank you. 👍

[benelliott]

Thanks Joe, this was a great, informative video. I too was considering the Checkpoint SL5 as an all-round option for rail-trail rides to longer, touring rides. Seeing Van Duzer’s long tour on his Checkpoint, I was optimistic that it could perform as a touring bike. However, seeing your video has given me a deeper insight into that, so thank you! I think I’ll consider a Checkpoint for lighter, shorter bikepacking journeys. I’d like to do the GAP/C&O trail this year and am racking my brain as to what bike I should get. I’m considering going the opposite - buying a touring bike (right now I’m eyeing the Kona Sutra SE), lose the fenders and go a wider tire.

[NameNaameNameeNaamee]

If I may ask: which exact cassette did you use? The Shimano SLX CS-M7000-11 comes in three sizes - (11-40Z), (11-42Z) and (11-46Z)

[drill_fiend]

One question: what torque value are you using for those rear rack bolts? I am bit scared of cracking the carbon frame and was thinking of clip on ones like Aeroe rack instead. If it worked gor you for long time, it must be the right amount.

[MrJFunk]

Just. bought this 2024 bike for a great deal. Any issues with bags or panniers rubbing on the carbon frame? Thank you for letting us know about the weight restrictions, will work on losing weight myself and looking to bikepack, gravel and road ride with this one! Congratulations on completing your journey and physique! Not easy to do I'm sure. Bravo!!