Bike models › Gravel
Trek Checkpoint ALR 4: specs, upgrades and what fits
An aluminum gravel bike with a full carbon thru-axle fork, a SRAM Apex 1x11 drivetrain with an 11-42 cassette, Tektro cable disc brakes and room for 45mm tires. Best for: Gravel roads, bikepacking and fast mixed-surface riding.
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My take, from the specs
Made for gravel roads, bikepacking and fast mixed-surface rides. The carbon fork, thru-axles, SRAM Apex 1x11 and room for 45mm tires make it a capable all-rounder, and it has mounts for racks, fenders and frame bags. The cable disc brakes need more hand effort and adjustment than hydraulics, and the T47 bottom bracket needs the right tool.
Sizes: 49: 5′1″–5′4″ (156–163 cm) · 52: 5′4″–5′6″ (163–168 cm) · 54: 5′6″–5′9″ (168–174 cm) · 56: 5′9″–5′11″ (174–180 cm) · 58: 5′11″–6′1″ (180–185 cm) · 61: 6′1″–6′3″ (185–191 cm)
Stock specs
| Type | Gravel |
|---|---|
| Year | 2025 |
| Price when new | $1950 |
| Sold at | Trek dealers / trekbikes.com |
| Wheels | 700c × 40 mm tires |
| Gears | 1×11 · 40T · 11–42T |
| Brakes | Tektro C550, dual piston, flat mount |
| Fork | Trek Checkpoint full carbon, tapered carbon steerer, rack and fender mounts, 12x100mm thru axle |
| Rear derailleur | SRAM Apex 1, long cage, 42T max cog |
| Shifter | SRAM Apex, 11-speed mechanical |
| Crank | SRAM Apex 1, DUB Wide, 172.5mm (two-piece DUB spindle) |
| Bottom bracket | SRAM DUB, T47 threaded, internal bearing |
| Axles | Thru-axle |
| Seatpost | 27.2 mm |
| Weight | 21.8 lb (9.9 kg) |
| Sizes | 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61 |
| Stock colors | Matte Galactic Grey, Matte Deep Dark Blue, Satin Power Surge, Matte Lavendar Haze |
Upgrade limits
How far each part can go on this frame, and why. Measure your own bike to confirm the estimated ones.
| Part | Limit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Widest tire (current wheel size) | 45 mm | No measurement yet. Estimate from owner reports and frame design. Your 21 mm internal rims suit roughly 31–55 mm tires. |
| Other wheel sizes | 650b up to ~52 mm | Disc brakes don't care where the rim sits, so a 650b wheel with a fatter tire fits. A 650b × 47 is about the outer size of a 700 × 28, so the bottom bracket sits about 12 mm lower than on 700 × 40 (watch pedal strikes). |
| Tubeless | Yes (tubeless-ready) | Tubeless needs a rim built to seal (bead hook + channel) and tubeless-ready tires. |
| Valve type | Presta | Decides which tubes and pump heads fit. Presta tubes fit Schrader rims with a grommet; not the other way. |
| Replacement wheels | Thru-axle · 100/142 mm · Center Lock disc | Any wheel matching axle type, spacing and brake mount fits. Rear also needs the right freehub. |
| Biggest rear cog | 42T (now 42T) | Set by the rear derailleur (SRAM Apex 1 long cage): max low sprocket 42T, total capacity 31T. A hanger extender can add a few teeth (hit-or-miss on non-Shadow derailleurs); a new derailleur is the reliable way to get more. |
| Front gears | 1x (40T) | One ring, no front derailleur. Adding a front derailleur needs a mount on the seat tube and a 2x crankset, so most riders change the ring size or cassette instead. |
| Chainring size | Unknown (now 40T) | Estimated from similar frames. Measure the chainring-to-chainstay gap to confirm. Check whether your ring is bolted or riveted. Spindle length (28.99 mm) sets chainline; a big change in ring size may need a different BB spindle. |
| Gear count upgrades | HG 11-speed | HG 11-speed road freehub: 11-speed road cassettes; 8/9-speed and 11-speed MTB cassettes with a 1.85 mm spacer; 10-speed road cassettes need the 1.85 mm plus their own 1.0 mm spacer. |
| Cranks & bottom bracket | External-cup BB (BSA) | Match crank spindle to BB type. |
| Pedal thread | 9/16" × 20 | Every adult multi-piece crank uses 9/16". One-piece kids/cruiser cranks use 1/2". |
| Brake pads | Shape unknown | Disc pads only fit calipers with the matching shape. |
| Rotor size | 160/160 mm now · front 160 (flat mount: check fork) | Center Lock rotors. Going bigger needs a caliper adapter: flat-mount adapter, and many flat-mount forks are rated 160 mm max. Most steel forks allow 180 mm; check the fork if a max rotor is printed on it. |
| Caliper upgrades | Road-pull mechanical | Road levers need road-pull calipers. |
| Stems & bars | tapered steerer · 31.8 mm bar clamp | Any stem for a tapered steerer with a 31.8 mm clamp fits. You can cut a bar narrower but not wider. |
| Seatposts | 27.2 mm | 27.2 mm is the most common size: suspension posts and external-cable dropper posts are easy to find. Internal droppers need internal routing the frame does not have. |
| Racks, fenders, bottles | Rack ✓ · Fender ✓ · 3 bottle · Fork cargo ✓ | Threaded eyelets at the dropouts and seat stays take a rack and fenders. Fork leg mounts take cargo cages. |
| Max load (rider + cargo) | 276 lb | Wheels are usually the weak point under heavy loads. Stay under this with rider plus luggage. |
Best upgrades by area
Three options that fit the Trek Checkpoint ALR 4 as-is in each area, from budget to best. ★ marks the one most worth the money. How we pick. Typical US prices, checked October 2026. They change often: check the price at the store.
Upgrades that fit as-is
Tires
- Panaracer GravelKing Slick 700x35 (pair), $$$. 35 mm tire ↔ your ~45 mm clearance
- Kenda Kwest 700x35 (pair), $$. 35 mm tire ↔ your ~45 mm clearance
- WTB Byway 700x40 (pair), $$$. 40 mm tire ↔ your ~45 mm clearance
- Panaracer GravelKing SK 700x40 (pair), $$$. 40 mm tire ↔ your ~45 mm clearance
- Schwalbe Marathon 700x38 (pair), $$$. 38 mm tire ↔ your ~45 mm clearance
- WTB Riddler 700x45 TCS Light (pair), $$$. 45 mm tire ↔ your ~45 mm clearance
- Panaracer Pasela 700x32 wire (pair), $$$. 32 mm tire ↔ your ~45 mm clearance
- Panaracer GravelKing Slick 700x32 (pair), $$$. 32 mm tire ↔ your ~45 mm clearance
- Continental Grand Prix 5000 700x32 clincher (pair), $$$. 32 mm tire ↔ your ~45 mm clearance
- Panaracer Pasela 700x35 wire (pair), $$$. 35 mm tire ↔ your ~45 mm clearance
- Panaracer Pasela 700x38 wire (pair), $$. 38 mm tire ↔ your ~45 mm clearance
- Schwalbe Marathon Almotion 700x38 (40-622) V-Guard Addix (pair), $$$. 38 mm tire ↔ your ~45 mm clearance
- Continental Contact Urban 700x40 (40-622) wire (pair), $$$. 40 mm tire ↔ your ~45 mm clearance
- Panaracer GravelKing Slick 700x40 (2025, pair), $$$. 40 mm tire ↔ your ~45 mm clearance
- WTB Riddler 700x37 TCS Light (pair), $$$. 37 mm tire ↔ your ~45 mm clearance
- Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M 700x45 (pair), $$$. 45 mm tire ↔ your ~45 mm clearance
Tubes
- RideNow TPU gravel tubes 700x32-47 Presta (pair), $$. 700c wheel size matches · Presta valve ↔ your Presta rims
- Thorn-resistant tubes 700x35-43 (pair), $. 700c wheel size matches
- Continental Tour 28 All 700x32–47 Presta 42 mm tubes (pair), $. 700c wheel size matches · Presta valve ↔ your Presta rims
- Tubolito Tubo-CX/Gravel-All 700x30–50 Presta 42 mm (pair), $$. 700c wheel size matches · Presta valve ↔ your Presta rims
Comfort
- 35° rise 60 mm stem, $. tapered" steerer matches · Get the 31.8 mm clamp version for your bar
- Suspension seatpost 27.2 mm (budget), $$. 27.2 mm post ↔ your 27.2 mm seat tube
- Redshift ShockStop suspension seatpost 27.2, $$$$. 27.2 mm post ↔ your 27.2 mm seat tube
- WTB Volt saddle, $$. Medium-width shape that suits most riders. Measure sit bones if comfort is the goal.
- Brooks C17 All Weather saddle, $$$. Vulcanized rubber top that flexes like a hammock, and this All Weather version is fully waterproof. No break-in like leather. Firm, not padded: made for long…
- Bikeroo oversized comfort saddle, $. Wide, soft and sprung for short upright rides on cruisers and hybrids. On rides over an hour wide padding can chafe; a firmer saddle that fits your sit bones…
- Cinelli Cork Ribbon bar tape, $. Made for drop bars ↔ your drop bar
- Selle Royal Respiro Moderate saddle, $$$. Made for a 60° "moderate" back angle (most flat-bar hybrids). Very upright cruisers suit the wider Respiro Relaxed. Standard round steel rails.
- Fizik Terra Argo X5 saddle (150 or 160 mm), $$$. Pick 150 mm for narrower sit bones, 160 mm for wider. Round 7 mm alloy rails fit every standard clamp.
- Ergon SR Allroad Core Comp saddle (men's or women's), $$$. Comes in S/M and M/L widths (measure your sit bones) and men's and women's shapes. Round CroMo rails; 120 kg rider limit.
- Lizard Skins DSP V2 bar tape 2.5 mm, $$. Made for drop bars ↔ your drop bar
- Lizard Skins DSP V2 bar tape 4.6 mm, $$. Made for drop bars ↔ your drop bar
- Ritchey Comp 2-Bolt alloy seatpost 27.2 mm, $$. 27.2 mm post ↔ your 27.2 mm seat tube
- Thomson Elite seatpost 27.2 x 330 mm, $$$. 27.2 mm post ↔ your 27.2 mm seat tube
- Ergon CF Allroad Pro Carbon flex seatpost 27.2 mm, $$$$. 27.2 mm post ↔ your 27.2 mm seat tube
- Cirrus Kinekt 2.1 Aluminum suspension seatpost 27.2 mm (LR or XR spring), $$$$. 27.2 mm post ↔ your 27.2 mm seat tube
- Redshift ShockStop suspension stem 31.8 (±6° or +30°), $$$. tapered" steerer matches · Threadless stem ↔ your threadless steerer
- Redshift ShockStop PRO suspension stem 31.8 (±6°), $$$$. tapered" steerer matches · Threadless stem ↔ your threadless steerer
Control
- External dropper post 27.2 mm, 100 mm drop + remote, $$$. 27.2 mm post ↔ your 27.2 mm seat tube
- Race Face Chester composite flat pedals, $$. Big platform with pins. Feet stay put on bumps and in rain. Install with an 8 mm hex key (no wrench flats).
- ROCKBROS aluminum flat pedals, $$. Budget metal platform with pins. A big step up from stock plastic.
- Shimano PD-M520 SPD clipless pedals (cleats included), $$. Nearly indestructible two-sided SPD pedals. You also need SPD (2-bolt) shoes, about $60–100 more. Set the release tension low and practice unclipping before…
- Crankbrothers Stamp 2 aluminum flat pedals (small or large), $$$. Sized by shoe: small for US men's 5–10, large for 10 and up. Grease the threads and tighten to about 35 Nm.
- OneUp Components Aluminum flat pedals, $$$. Bearings and bushings can be serviced with a cheap kit instead of replacing the pedal. Grease the threads and tighten to about 35 Nm.
- Shimano PD-EH500 dual-sided SPD / flat pedals (cleats included), $$$. Comes with SM-SH56 multi-release cleats, which are easier to get out of in a panic. You still need 2-bolt SPD shoes to clip in.
- Shimano Deore XT PD-M8100 SPD pedals (cleats included), $$$. Cup-and-cone bearings are fully serviceable and last for years. Shoes with a 2-bolt SPD cleat sold separately.
- KS eTen-R external dropper 27.2 mm, 100 mm drop + KS Southpaw remote, $$$. 27.2 mm post ↔ your 27.2 mm seat tube
- PNW Components Pine external dropper 27.2 mm (90 or 110 mm) + PNW Loam lever, $$$$. 27.2 mm post ↔ your 27.2 mm seat tube
Utility
- Topeak Explorer rear rack (disc mount), $$. Uses your frame's rack mounts
- USB rechargeable front + rear light set, $$. Daytime flashing lights cut collisions. Required by law at night.
- Pletscher adjustable kickstand, $$. Handy for errands. Check it clears the rotor and chainstay.
- Lisen clamp-style handlebar phone mount, $. Cheap and tool-free for maps on paved rides. On rough gravel or trails a locking mount (Quad Lock or Peak Design, about $45–70 plus a case) is much safer.
- Topeak TopLoader top tube bag (0.75 L), $$. Keeps snacks, keys and a multi-tool within reach. Straps on, with a rain cover. Check your knees do not rub it when you stand up.
- Knog Oi Classic bell, $. Slim ring bell that wraps the bar. Large fits 23.8–31.8 mm bars; Small fits 22.2 mm kids and BMX bars. Required by law in some places.
- Planet Bike Beamer 200 + Blinky Squared USB light set, $$. USB rechargeable, tool-free mounts. Use flash mode in daylight. Rear light is 30 lumens: good for town, modest on fast roads.
- Cygolite Metro Plus 800 + Hotshot Pro 150 USB light set, $$$. Nine headlight modes including a daytime flash. Aim the beam slightly down so you do not blind oncoming riders.
- Trek (Bontrager) Ion Pro RT + Flare RT light set, $$$. Daytime-running flash modes on both lights. ANT+ lets a Garmin or Wahoo show battery and switch them. Full power runs about 1.5 hours; medium lasts much longer.
- Topeak Super Tourist DX Tubular rear rack (disc), $$$. Uses your frame's rack mounts
- Tubus Disco steel rear rack for disc brakes (26" or 28"/700c), $$$. Uses your frame's rack mounts
Drivetrain
- KMC X11 11-speed chain with Missing Link, $$. 11-speed chain ↔ your 11-speed drivetrain
- Shimano CN-HG601-11 11-speed chain (fits CUES 9/10/11, 116 links), $$. 11-speed chain ↔ your 11-speed drivetrain
- Shimano CN-LG500 LinkGlide chain (CUES 9/10/11, 126 links), $$. 11-speed chain ↔ your 11-speed drivetrain
- Shimano CN-HG901-11 11-speed chain (XTR/Dura-Ace, SIL-TEC, 116 links), $$. 11-speed chain ↔ your 11-speed drivetrain
Brakes
- Tektro MD-C550 dual-piston mechanical disc calipers, road pull, flat mount (pair), $$$. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · Short-pull caliper ↔ your road (short-pull) levers
- TRP Spyre Flat Mount mechanical disc calipers, road pull (pair), $$$. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · Short-pull caliper ↔ your road (short-pull) levers
- Juin Tech F1 cable-actuated hydraulic disc calipers, road pull, flat mount (pair), $$$. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · Short-pull caliper ↔ your road (short-pull) levers
- Shimano SM-RT54 160 mm Center Lock rotor (1 rotor), $. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · 160 mm rotor ↔ your 160 mm front rotor
- Shimano SM-RT64 160 mm Center Lock rotor (1 rotor), $$. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · 160 mm rotor ↔ your 160 mm front rotor
- Shimano RT-MT800 Ice-Tech Freeza 160 mm Center Lock rotor (1 rotor), $$. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · 160 mm rotor ↔ your 160 mm front rotor
Gearing
- Shimano 105 CS-R7000 11-speed cassette 11–32, $$. Cassette ↔ your HG 11-speed freehub · 11-speed ↔ your 11-speed drivetrain
- Shimano Ultegra CS-R8000 11-speed cassette 11–32, $$$. Cassette ↔ your HG 11-speed freehub · 11-speed ↔ your 11-speed drivetrain
Wheels
- Shimano WH-RS171 700c disc wheelset, 12x100 / 12x142 thru-axle, Center Lock, HG 11-speed road + 2 Shimano SM-RT54 160 mm Center Lock rotors, $$$$. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · 700c wheel size matches
- DT Swiss G 1800 Spline 25 700c wheelset, 12x100 / 12x142, Center Lock, Shimano HG + 2 Shimano SM-RT64 160 mm Center Lock rotors, $$$$. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · 700c wheel size matches
- DT Swiss GR 1600 Spline 25 700c wheelset, 12x100 / 12x142, Center Lock, Shimano HG + 2 Shimano SM-RT64 160 mm Center Lock rotors, $$$$. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · 700c wheel size matches
Fits with small changes (21)
- Continental Grand Prix 5000 700x28 clincher (pair), $$$. Outside the ideal range for your 21 mm rims (31–55 mm): it will mount, but the shape is less stable.
- Continental Ultra Sport III 700x28 folding (pair), $$. Outside the ideal range for your 21 mm rims (31–55 mm): it will mount, but the shape is less stable.
- Michelin Power Cup 700x28 clincher (pair), $$$. Outside the ideal range for your 21 mm rims (31–55 mm): it will mount, but the shape is less stable.
- Stan's NoTubes tire sealant 16 oz, $. In tubes: needs tubes with removable valve cores (Presta or Schrader to match your rims).
- Orange Seal Endurance tubeless sealant 16 oz, $. In tubes: needs tubes with removable valve cores (Presta or Schrader to match your rims).
- SILCA Ultimate Tubeless Sealant 16 oz, $. In tubes: needs tubes with removable valve cores (Presta or Schrader to match your rims).
- Shimano SM-RT56 160 mm 6-bolt rotor (1 rotor), $. Your hubs are Center Lock: needs a 6-bolt adapter.
- Galfer Wave 160 mm 6-bolt rotor, 1.8 mm (1 rotor), $$. Your hubs are Center Lock: needs a 6-bolt adapter.
- Shimano SM-RT86 Ice-Tech 160 mm 6-bolt rotor (1 rotor), $$. Your hubs are Center Lock: needs a 6-bolt adapter.
- Shimano SM-RT56 180 mm 6-bolt rotor (1 rotor), $. Your hubs are Center Lock: needs a 6-bolt adapter.
- Galfer Wave 180 mm 6-bolt rotor, 1.8 mm (1 rotor), $$. Your hubs are Center Lock: needs a 6-bolt adapter.
- Shimano SM-RT86 Ice-Tech 180 mm 6-bolt rotor (1 rotor), $$. Your hubs are Center Lock: needs a 6-bolt adapter.
- Shimano SM-RT54 180 mm Center Lock rotor (1 rotor), $$. Your front rotor is 160 mm: a 180 mm rotor fits with a post +20 mm caliper adapter (check your fork's max rotor size).
- Shimano SM-RT64 180 mm Center Lock rotor (1 rotor), $$. Your front rotor is 160 mm: a 180 mm rotor fits with a post +20 mm caliper adapter (check your fork's max rotor size).
- Shimano RT-MT800 Ice-Tech Freeza 180 mm Center Lock rotor (1 rotor), $$. Your front rotor is 160 mm: a 180 mm rotor fits with a post +20 mm caliper adapter (check your fork's max rotor size).
- Shimano Deore CS-M5100-11 11-speed cassette 11–42, $$. HG 11-speed road freehub: fits with a 1.85 mm spacer behind the cassette.
- Shimano CS-HG700-11 11-speed cassette 11–34, $$$. HG 11-speed road freehub: fits with a 1.85 mm spacer behind the cassette.
- microSHIFT Advent X drop-bar 1x10 kit (brake/shift levers, clutch RD, 11–48 cassette, 10-speed chain), $$$$. HG 11-speed road freehub: fits with a 1.85 mm spacer behind the cassette.
- Kalloy Uno SP-602 alloy seatpost 25.4 x 350 mm, $. Your seat tube takes 27.2 mm: needs a 25.4→27.2 shim.
- Thomson Elite seatpost 25.4 x 330 mm, $$$. Your seat tube takes 27.2 mm: needs a 25.4→27.2 shim.
- Sunlite adjustable suspension seatpost 25.4 mm, $$. Your seat tube takes 27.2 mm: needs a 25.4→27.2 shim.
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Buying one used? Fair prices
Worked out from the price new ($1950), age and condition, not live market data. If it needs tires, a chain or brakes, take off what fixing them would cost.
| Condition | 1 year old | 3 years old | 5 years old |
|---|---|---|---|
| Like new | $1100–$1450 | $890–$1175 | $720–$950 |
| Good | $970–$1275 | $785–$1035 | $635–$835 |
| Fair | $795–$1045 | $640–$845 | $520–$685 |
| Needs work | $605–$800 | $490–$645 | $395–$525 |
See what these really sold for on eBay · Other used bike prices
Geometry (size 56)
| Stack | 592° |
|---|---|
| Reach | 407 mm |
| Head angle | 72.2° |
| Seat angle | 72.8° |
| Chainstay | 435° |
| BB drop | 76 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1048 mm |
| Head tube | 145 mm |
| Seat tube | 560 mm |
| Standover | 809° |
Compare with
- Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer Drop Bar · compare frames side by side
- Specialized Diverge 3 Alloy (Diverge E5, Shimano CUES) · compare frames side by side
- Giant Revolt 2 · compare frames side by side
- Cannondale Topstone 4 · compare frames side by side
Sources: Scheller's (Trek dealer): Checkpoint ALR 4 specs, geometry, size chart, price · BikeInsights: 2025 Checkpoint ALR 4 56cm geometry · Bike-Room: Checkpoint ALR 4 2025 (SRAM Apex 1x11, colors) · Bicycle Blue Book: 2025 Checkpoint ALR 4 (MSRP)