Opinions on New Bike
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2024
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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!
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!
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2022
Location: USA - Southwest PA
Posts: 3,895
Bikes: Cannondale - Gary Fisher - Giant - Litespeed - Schwinn Paramount - Schwinn (lugged steel) - Trek OCLV
Liked 2,710 Times
in
1,459 Posts
if the REI bike has 4700 shifters (not 4720 / 25) and mechanical disc brakes - I would pass
Likes For t2p:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Eastern VA
Posts: 1,816
Bikes: 2022 Fuel EX 8, 2021 Domane SL6, Black Beta (Nashbar frame), 2004 Trek 1000C for the trainer
Liked 579 Times
in
305 Posts
Splurge for the SL 5 with Carbon frame.
Ha ha. The ALR is good and both are on sale through May be tomorrow. Picture from test ride.
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.
Ha ha. The ALR is good and both are on sale through May be tomorrow. Picture from test ride.
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.
#4
Banned
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.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 9,156
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Liked 2,159 Times
in
1,328 Posts
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.
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.
Likes For pdlamb:
Likes For prj71:
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Australia
Posts: 860
Bikes: 2002 Trek 5200 (US POSTAL), 2020 Canyon Aeroad SL
Liked 709 Times
in
347 Posts
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.
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.
Likes For tempocyclist:
#8
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 17,037
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Liked 8,064 Times
in
4,472 Posts
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.
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.
#9
Habitual User
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 8,625
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2022 Trek Supercaliber, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Liked 8,947 Times
in
4,197 Posts
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.
__________________
Platypus gravelus.
Platypus gravelus.
#10
Senior Member
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.
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.
#11
Full Member
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.
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.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bastrop Texas
Posts: 4,768
Bikes: Univega, Peu P6, Peu PR-10, Ted Williams, Peu UO-8, Peu UO-18 Mixte, Peu Dolomites
Liked 1,844 Times
in
1,182 Posts
What are you riding now?
Whats your riding history?
Whats your riding history?
__________________
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
#15
Senior Member
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.