Fast, light, exclusive: Checkmate SLR is the first race gravel bike from Trek

Gravel fans may have already realised that Trek has a new off-road bike in the pipeline. After all, the brand from Waterloo/Wisconsin sent some athletes into the race at this year's Unbound with a model that was still unreleased at the time. Now it is clear: with the Checkmate SLR, the US bike manufacturer is presenting a completely new platform and saying goodbye to the Checkpoint SLR in the high-end segment. In future, the adventure and touring gravel bike will "only" be available as a simpler and more affordable version. SL variants give. The third generation is characterised by more comfort and a storage compartment, among other things.

Trek Checkmate SLR: The most important facts

• Weight of complete wheel: 7.6 kilos (SLR 9, size ML), 8.1 kilos (SLR 7, size ML)
• Frame weight: 1223 grams (size ML)
• Fork weight: 415 grams (size ML)
• Stack/Reach/STR: 584/399 millimetres/1.46
• Max. tyre clearance: 45 millimetres
• Frame sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
• Prices: 8999 Euro (SLR 7), 10999 Euro (SLR 9)

With the Checkmate, Trek has pulled out almost all the stops and is sending "the lightest and fastest gravel bike the brand has ever built" into the race. The top model is said to be around 450 grams lighter than the comparable Checkpoint SLR 9, which previously led the gravel portfolio. According to the manufacturer, the Checkmate SLR 9 weighs just 7.6 kilograms (size ML), making it one of the lightest gravel bikes on the market. Trek specifies 8.1 kilograms for the "heavier" SLR 7. There are currently only a few bikes in this weight class: the revised Specialized S-Works Crux is said to weigh 7.3 kilograms, the BMC Kaius 01 weighed in at 7.6 kilograms in the TOUR test and the Canyon Grail CFR we weighed in at 8.2 kilograms.

The ingredients for the remarkable weight include high-quality carbon fibres (800 OCLV), although at 1223 grams the frame is not particularly light compared to the top competition, and the high-quality equipment, including the cutting-edge SRAM Red XPLRwhich saves around 400 grams compared to the Shimano GRX Di2. The Checkmate also benefits from the recently introduced Madone by adopting its tube profiles and handlebar-stem unit, which has a positive effect on the scales and aerodynamics.

According to an in-house simulation, the new racing machine is almost six minutes faster on the Unbound 200 course (321.9 kilometres). The time saving may not seem particularly large in view of journey times of more than nine hours, but in the most recent editions the decisions were only made in the final sprint and were in the seconds range. The US bike manufacturer's analysis is based on an average power output of 200 watts and takes weight and aero performance into account. Trek did not say how the Checkmate would fare in comparison with other race gravel bikes.

A lower and therefore more streamlined riding position than on the Checkpoint SLR should also get you to your destination faster. Although you were already sitting quite stretched out on the Adventure bike, a longer stem on the Checkmate should elongate the upper body even more than the STR quotient of 1.46 (size ML) suggests. As with the Madone, Trek specifies the size range in sizes from XS to XL. The medium frame size ML corresponds to the classic 56.

However, because a certain level of comfort is also essential for speed chases over gravel tracks, the Isospeed system known from the Checkpoint SLR and Domane SLR is used. The joint between the top tube and seat tube is designed to absorb shocks - which, according to our practical tests with the aforementioned bikes, works very well. As with comparable race bikes, the tyres are relatively narrow, only 38 millimetres wide on the top model. The in-house accessory specialist Bontrager presents a suitable competition tyre with the Girona. A maximum of 45 millimetre tyres are possible.

Under the dictates of the racing character, mounting points for light luggage have been reduced to the bare essentials. Small bags from the revised Adventure collection can only be attached to the top tube and in the frame triangle.

Prices and equipment

The new platform may sound tempting, especially for ambitious road cyclists, as it promises a similarly agile riding experience as on the road. But unfortunately there is a catch: the price. Both equipment variants are based on fast road bikes and cost 8999 and 10999 euros respectively. The fact that they are "cheaper" than the comparable discontinued Checkpoint models is little consolation.

Checkmate SLR 7 AXS

• Drive/gear shift: SRAM Force XPLR (1x12; 42, 10-44 t.; Powermeter)
• Impellers: Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V (Carbon)
• Tyres: Bontrager GR1 Team Issue (40 mm)
• Price: 8999 Euro

Checkmate SLR 9 AXS

• Drive/gear shift: SRAM Red XPLR (1x13; 42, 10-46 t.; Powermeter)
• Impellers: Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37V (Carbon)
• Tyres: Bontrager Girona RSL GR (38 mm)
• Price: 10999 Euro