Opinions on New Bike
 

I am looking at getting into gravel riding (already road and mountain bike) and welcome input on the two options I'm considering. For context, I plan to use the bike for 20-100 mile rides on gravel roads paved roads, and mixed surface rails to trails in the pacific northwest.

The two bikes I'm considering are REI's ADV 2.2 or Trek's Checkpoint ALR 5. The Checkpoint is about $900 more, and has better components, but both are aluminum frame and carbon fork bikes.

My question is about value and welcome input if the Trek is $900 more better than the REI ADV, or would it be better to get the REI ADV and then upgrade components as they give out?

Thank you all in advance for your thoughts!

if the REI bike has 4700 shifters (not 4720 / 25) and mechanical disc brakes - I would pass

Splurge for the SL 5 with Carbon frame.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...75c4568bb.jpeg

Ha ha. The ALR is good and both are on sale through May be tomorrow. Picture from test ride.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...71203c69f.jpeg

The Checkpoint are aggressive with long reach and low stack. Specialized Diverge and Salsa Journeyer have taller stack. Test ride a few is my recommendation.

The REI bike on sale is a good value. If 10 speed and mechanical discs are going to have you thinking of "upgrades" might be better to go with the Trek. Another bike at the Trek price is the Cannondale Topstone.

I think the onus is on O.P. to either tell us why he wants a new gravel bike, or to pick one.

If this is to be a "check out gravel biking" and money is a potential issue, buy the cheaper bike. If money is no issue and it's certain he wants to get into gravel biking, buy the more expensive one. In between, buy the REI bike, take it for a weekend of gravel rides, and return it if gravel biking isn't for you. I hate to advocate such a course of action, but better one weekend than ride it until the day before the free returns period is up.

The worst bike you can buy is the one that hangs in the garage forever.

The Trek will have better re-sale value down the road. REI...not so much.

For that price difference I'd go for the Trek. It is better spec'd and from an arguably more reputable brand.

As said above if you do have a little more cash to splash, the carbon Checkpoint SL5 is a really good step up. The AL5 will serve you very well though.

The Trek Checkpoint alr5 costs $2500. https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...?colorCode=red

The Coop ADV 2.2 costs $960. https://www.rei.com/product/159859/c...es-adv-22-bike


These are completely different bikes and really not comparable since they are so fundamentally different in price and spec.

If those are your two options, the Trek - no question. If you decide you like gravel riding, it will serve you better, for longer. If you decide you don’t, it will resell for more.

Mark me down for the less expensive option. Inexpensive bikes from reputable sellers that will back up their sale and have competent (in my experience) are likely to work perfectly mechanically, very fun to ride, and be as fittable as any other.

I don't have a Coop branded bike but have a couple of $1K Salsa sold by REI in the family. They are both the least expensive in that line up: Journeyer with Shimano Claris 2X8 and Microshift Advent 9, pretty much the bottom of those two lines. We have absolutely no complaints about the shifting and mechanical disc brakes. They were inexpensive but are fun and do anything we need them to on mixed surface roads and non-technical trail riding. No hesitation recommending inexpensive bikes from reputable sellers.

Of those two bikes, I’d go with the Trek for the 1x and the better brakes.

Assuming you’re in Ridgefield, it might be worth a drive into Portland to check out what’s available in some of the shops down here.

The REi bike looks very nice for the price. Quality stuff

Your new bike should have component quality equal to or better than your existing bikes or you will be disappointed

What are you riding now?

Whats your riding history?

Nah, not really. I have CF and titanium with Sram Red and Force. My "good" gravel bike is a Lynskey titanium with Sram AXS Force. My "traveling" gravel bike which i keep with our RV in another state, is the cheap-ish ($1K) Salsa Journeyer I mentioned above with aluminum frame and fork, cheap wheels, bottom tier Microshift Advent 9. And I have plenty of fun with it for it's purpose: casual rides on mixed surfaces. Frankly, I don't miss my higher end bikes at all when I'm on the road with the Salsa.