SkepticalOne

How big are you trying to go? Set this 2019 ALR4 up on 43s for Kanza and It's been great for everything I can throw at it...still running the dirty ol Tiagra that came on it.

SkepticalOne

Lots of clearance for bigger...

EndUser2016

Damn you really got dirty with that one sheesh us ... looks fine as long as you don't build up a lot of mud else looks tight... how about those front cables when you stand up ... do they hit your legs ? ... still eww... why those things not hidden by now =(

biker128pedal

enduser2016
was it the rear rack on the Trek 1120. Nice ride but there should be more support for that long arm rack.

skepticalone
That AL Checkpoint looks good. Mud an all. Toss some narrow carbon wheels on for a road workout. I was looking at the SL but the AL may just do the job. The 43mm tires look like that’s all I would need for trails, a trip to the grocery store or across the state.

Edit: The 2021 ALR4 comes in red. A plus. ;-)

SkepticalOne

Cables don't rub while riding. Nothing pretty about the checkpoint, but it has proven to be a real workhorse. I usually ride Di2 carbon Domane SLR7 on the road but absolutely love the predictably and reliable Tiagra shifts when deep in the mud and the worry-free aluminum frame. The entry level frame and Aeolus Pro 3V seem to be a great combo for this type of punishing terrain.

EndUser2016

its the stock rack the 1120 comes with ... the guy snapped it...

this is the video series i watched ... i forget what video of the series the rear rack failed on him... but he also had the rear hub i believe it was fail which he could not get fixed in mexico ... so he gave the bike away to a local man and ended his series there ... it's a nice watch if you have the time

MAGAIVER

I run 27,5x2.2 Continental Race King tires on my 2019 ALR 4, have been doing so for well over a year with no issues. The tires even fit with the the stranglehold dropouts slammed all the way forward. But I moved them back a bit to get more clearence.

softreset

It looks like the 2021 ALRs have been released and there's zero changes with the frame, still the PF BB and some new paint. The drivetrain is only the modification that I can see, moving from Tiagra (4) and 105 (5) to GRX.

Longfellow02

What are advantages/improvements with GRX groupset for 2021 ? Is it lighter ? more gravel oriented ? More reliable ?
I'm trying to decide buy 2020 now, vs. wait for 2021 ...

Thanks

SkepticalOne

Going by memory, I believe the shifters have a more gravel friendly pivot point and ergonomics. Additionally, gearing of the chainset is generally lower. Finally, rear derailleur has a clutch to reduce chain-slap on rough terrain.

jfranci3

They didn't change a thing year over year on GRX and they probably won't for a few more.

EndUser2016

hopes Threaded bottom bracket T47 2022 *crossed fingers* ... and as for color will probably not have that smoked blue i like... ugh seriously TREK you are killing me! -_-

jimjim58

My new 2021 Checkpoint ALR 5, my first gravel bike, loving it so far.

Longfellow02

Looks nice !! Is the chain ring now a 46/30 setup ? If so, that's different from the 2020 ALR5, which was 50/34....
How do you like it so far ??

jimjim58

Yes 46/30 chain rings and 11/34 cassette. Has the new Shimano GRX groupset. So far so good, haven't had it on much gravel yet, its smooth and for the money I thought a pretty good buy. Mainly bought it to just kick around on, might even install a rear rack and bag.

Longfellow02

Thanks Jim, for the update. I'm wondering how 46/30 is for mostly road riding ? Versus the 2020 ALR5 having 50/34 ? Has it seemed 'too low' on road riding so far ?

jfranci3

I use 40 with a 11-34 cassette. I only need to grab my other bike when the big guy shows up for group ride and we hit sustained 32mph. I’ve got sewing machine cadence though. The big downside with a lower gear is that you’re in the smaller cogs more, which isn’t a big deall

46 is only 10% shorter than 50, so it’s like you’ve only got 50/12 instead of 50/11. You just lose one top gear

jimjim58

It suits me fine, I'm an old guy and only average 19 mph on my road bike with 50/34 chain rings using mostly middle 3rd of 11/28 cassette. I don't think I'll run out of high gear on Checkpoint but just use more of the smaller cogs on the road.

Chaplin8

Trying to decide between Diverge and Checkpoint. Checkpoints are 1 lb heavier.

jfranci3

Just test fit some 50-622 (50c x 700 29 x 2.0) tires on my 24mm internal rims - Checkpoint SL 58cm

https://imgur.com/a/O9GHOXX
Hard to get a good shot with the curvy stays, but lots of room even with the adjustable rear axle pushed all the way forward. Probably 5mm all the way around.

basscadet

Aluminum?

I've ridden both bikes and if you want to do any riding on the road and want a more lively and exciting bike....Checkpoint ALL the way.​​​​​​

Chaplin8

Thanks.
Any spec/tech to back up your observation?
I was thinking it would have been the opposite, with slimmer smoother tires, lighter weight. Yet to test ride Trek Checkpoint.

Is Future Shock a no no for roads?

Checkpoint ALR does not have Iso Speed but is a 2By compared to Diverge Al which has Future Shock but is a 1 By.

Is 1 By a bad option?

basscadet

I don't proclaim to be a bike expert because I'm not one, I am only strictly speaking of my experiences and personal preferences. I'd add the Topstone to your list to test ride if you can (they're everywhere, should be easy) as I much preferred it to the Diverge. 1by is a non-starter for me as I rarely touch the bottom gears but find myself pretty often looking for more room up top, especially on long descents.

Just not a big fan of the Diverge as I found Future Shock gimmicky and the bike generally pretty bland, especially as it was the most expensive of the 3. If I were a serious gravel bro I'm sure it would be a better fit but I prefer agility, speed, tossability and the Checkpoint clearly the champ in this regard (for ME). Do what you can to spend time riding these bikes, in the same day if possible. Ride over cracks and bumps at speed.

bigevil

seeing the 2021 checkpoint SL 6 swapped from Ultegra for GRX

EndUser2016

i caved and ordered my 2021 SL6 today in BLUE of course ... would have loved to go with Domane SL6 but yeah ... I want rack mounts for commuting and domane didn't have those and the tire clearance of the checkpoint boss mounts make the checkpoint the better choice for me ... I really hoping the BB90 stuff is seriously just people being overly anal about it .. my test rides i couldn't tell any difference on T47 vs BB90 bike