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The New Trek Checkpoint Line Is For Gravel Riders of All Kinds

Updated geometry and differentiated models for speed, adventure, and all purpose riding

The Takeaway: A great bike gets better, with geometry updates suited to the evolution of gravel.

• Two centimeters longer reach and front center on all sizes
• One centimeter longer chainstays
• New race-oriented SLR platform
• Additional cargo mounts

Price: $12,000 (SLR 9, as tested) Weight: 17.8 lb. (Size 54cm)

Trek’s gravel loving Checkpoint is all new front to rear, with new geometry (covered below) and features for the ever-evolving world of gravel riding. That evolution is why Trek differentiated the three complete bike platforms—SLR, SL, and ALR—for different kinds of gravel riders. I go into more depth below, but the short version is: SLR = race; SL = all-around, ALR = utility.

Threaded T47 bottom brackets now grace all Checkpoint frames, but Trek has done away with the sliding dropouts found on the previous generation Checkpoint. All eight builds get gravel gearing and clutch-style rear derailleurs (Shimano GRX or SRAM eTap AXS), as well as 40mm tubeless ready tires and tubeless ready rims. All models, and all sizes, can fit up to 45mm tires with plenty of mud clearance; which means riders in dry conditions can fit in even bigger tires. If you choose, you can fit the Checkpoint with 650b wheels—all models and all sizes come stock with 700c wheels—which bumps tire clearance up to 53mm (2.1 inches).

In the press release, Trek makes mention of “ Émonda -inspired aero tube shapes,” without providing any wind tunnel data. My suspicion is the tube shapes do save a few watts, though Trek isn’t leaning into gravel aero as much as 3T does with its Exploro RaceMax .

Trek Checkpoint — Geometry

Geometry is where the new Checkpoint sees the biggest change. While there are three Checkpoint frame platforms (outlined below), all three share the same, all new, geometry (see table above).

The overall theme to the geometry updates is “more progressive.” Trek took a page from the mountain bike playbook and stretched all sizes of the frame’s reach and front center by about two centimeters. Trek now fits shorter stems and shorter-reach bars to mitigate cockpit length changes. Chainstays on the frame grow by a centimeter (now 435mm on all sizes). Trail is also longer (about six millimeters) even though head angles remain about the same—new fork offset is 45mm, old was 49mm—and wheelbase grows as well. Frame stack bumps up a touch too.

Jordan Roessingh, Trek’s director of road product, says the new geometry aids stability, “It’s a longer bike, so whether you’re doing long Unbound type stuff where you’re just pointing the bike straight or you’re doing high speed stuff on gravel descents in the mountains, we believe this geometry lends itself to confidence. Getting that wheel out in front of you also unweights it makes you feel a lot more confident when you’re doing steep technical stuff—you don’t feel like you’re going to go over the bar. That front wheel is really easy to unweight and allows it to roll over a lot more stuff.”

Roessingh further explained that the new geometry also reduces toe overlap on smaller sizes and allows them to approve larger tires sizes for smaller riders, “On the previous [Checkpoint] we had to limit our small frame size tire size recommendations to only 40mm. Not because the frame didn’t have the capacity for 45, but when you put a 45 it created too much toe overlap.” The issue here was government regulations that outline a production bike’s maximum tire overlap. But with the new bike’s longer front end every size can, officially, run up to a 45mm tire.

One note on the geometry: The new Checkpoint is not suspension fork corrected. However, the Checkpoint has a 1.5-inch lower fork steerer diameter, so you can fit the new RockShox Rudy , a Suntour GVX, or Fox AX, but doing so will raise the front end and slacken its angles.

Trek Checkpoint — Where is the Front IsoSpeed?

One surprising omission from the new Checkpoint is IsoSpeed in the front, a feature found in Trek’s Domane all road bikes . According to Roessingh, IsoSpeed on the front of a bike with big tires, “Doesn’t provide a sufficient gain in compliance to make a real difference to the rider because a [larger than 32mm tire] is such a dominant aspect of the compliance,” so it was left off the new Checkpoint. The benefit is a less complicated front end, and some weight savings.

Rear IsoSpeed continues on all models. Roessingh explains that it has more deflection than front Isospeed so it offers additional compliance benefit even with larger tires.

Trek Checkpoint — Three Frame Platforms

The new Checkpoint comes in three platforms: SLR, SL, and ALR. The top of the line SLR (super light race) platform is new to the Checkpoint line. Previously, Checkpoint topped out with the SL model. All the models have T47 threaded bottom bracket, internal hose and housing routing, 45mm tire clearance, frame bag mounts, fender mounts, and come in six sizes: 49 to 61cm. SLR and SL carbon frames get the same in-frame storage system found on carbon Domane frames.

But though the three platforms share geometry and many features, they’re tuned to suit different riders.

The SLR is race oriented, so it gets the highest-grade carbon composite, a traditionally shaped (not flared) road bar, and forgoes cargo mounts on the fork. This model also has Trek’s no-cut seat mast with (non-adjustable) top tube IsoSpeed.

The SL gets an all-purpose gravel focus. It uses lower grade carbon than the SLR but adds adventure riding features like three-pack mounts on the fork legs, and a flared gravel bar. This model does have Trek’s IsoSpeed decoupler in the seat tube but fits a traditional 27.2mm seatpost: That makes this model dropper-post compatible.

The aluminum framed ALR is the least expensive of the new Checkpoints, and Trek’s representatives expect this to be a popular model with riders looking for a commuter or utility bike. It has the same geometry as the other platforms, and the same rack, fender, framebag and mudguard mounts as the Checkpoint SL, and it gets a flared gravel bar and 27.2mm dropper-post compatibility. The two features it lacks relative to the SL are the in-frame storage and an IsoSpeed decoupler.

Trek Checkpoint — Models, Prices, Weights

There are eight complete bikes for the USA: one ALR, three SL, and four SLR models. Prices and claimed weights are below, with a quick look at the build kits. All complete bikes roll on Bontrager GR1 40mm tubeless ready tires, have tubeless ready rims, and ship with tubeless valves, rim strips, and sealant.

• Checkpoint ALR 5— $2,400, 21.5lb. Shimano GRX600 2x11 with 30/46 rings and 11-34 cassette
• Checkpoint SL 5—$3,200, 21.3lb. Shimano GRX600 2x11 with 30/46 rings and 11-34 cassette, Bontrager Paradigm SL wheels (21mm internal width)
• C heckpoint SL 6 eTap — $4,100, 20.0lb. SRAM Rival eTap AXS 1x12 with 40 ring and 10-44 cassette, Bontrager Paradigm Comp wheels (25mm internal width)
• Checkpoint SL 7 eTap—$6,3,00 19.6lb. SRAM Force Wide eTap AXS 2x12 with 30/43 rings and 10-36 cassette, Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V carbon wheels (25mm internal width)
• Checkpoint SLR 6 eTap—$7,600, 19.1lb. SRAM Rival eTap AXS 1x12 with power meter, 40 ring and 10-44 cassette, Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V carbon wheels (25mm internal width)
• Checkpoint SLR 7—$8,300, 19.4lb. Shimano GRX815 2x11 with 31/48 rings and 11-34 cassette, Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V carbon wheels (25mm internal width)
• Checkpoint SLR 7 eTap—$8,300, 18.6lb. SRAM Force eTap AXS 1x12 with power meter, 40 ring and 10-44 cassette, Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V carbon wheels (25mm internal width)
• Checkpoint SLR 9 eTap—$12,000, 17.9lb. SRAM Red eTap AXS 1x12 with power meter, 40 ring and 10-44 cassette, Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37V carbon wheels (25mm internal width)

Trek Checkpoint — Ride Impressions and Review

Trek sent me the top-of-the-line SLR 9 eTap AXS well ahead of the bike's launch, and I’ve done my usual “gravel” shenanigans on this bike—long gravel rides, mixed media rides, some road riding, and plenty of singletrack.

On anything dirt, and especially on singletrack, the new Checkpoint is not just better than the previous generation, it’s one of the best gravel bikes I’ve been on. I love the previous generations above-average comfort and smoothness and that’s still present, but the geometry updates make the new bike much more capable: And the faster and more technical the dirt, the more the geometry pays off. It’s accurate, but not darty, and composed but appropriately flickable.

Here’s the rub: Give us geometry that lets us go faster and…we’re going to go faster. The Checkpoint is so damn fast on downhills singletrack that I take issue with Trek’s decision to forgo front IsoSpeed or correct the geometry for a suspension fork. I mean, this is a pretty compliant bike overall, but when you go faster the hits get stronger. Many times I wacked stuff that made my hands and arms stung. Bigger tires help, but a 45mm maximum isn’t that big (Canyon’s Grizl fits 50s, for example).

Basically, there were times I felt like the geometry was writing checks the Checkpoint couldn’t cash without some help from suspension. But then, when you add weighty suspension and fatter tires, you have a much different bike; so I’m also not sure that’s the answer. I think we’re at a very interesting point with “progressive” gravel bikes where they are tickling the edges of mountain bike capability and, if they go much further, suspension must be a part of the conversation.

On the flip side of the new Checkpoint’s added capability, it feels less chipper on paved surfaces. The old Checkpoint was almost a road bike that could do gravel while the new one definitely takes cues from the world of mountain bikes. On balance, this works out okay for the most fun and challenging parts of gravel rides, though the Checkpoint bike feels a bit logy on the liaisons between the best bits. That’s a compromise I’m okay with, but if you want more quickness on pavement from your gravel bike you might be happier on something like a Cervelo Aspero 5 or the 3T Exploro Racemax .

Trek isn’t breaking any new ground with the Checkpoint’s geometry and handing traits. This mountain bike influenced longer, more stable, geometry (oh, hello, Chamois Hagar ) is an increasingly popular trend, and already found in bikes like Canyon’s Grizl (which the Checkpoint reminds me of) and some other bikes. I’m curious to see how this geometry goes down with the general riding public, and how far brands push the geometry. When used for actual gravel and off-pavement riding and racing, this geometry makes sense. But if riders are buying gravel bikes because they want more capability and comfort out of a drop bar bike, but are mostly sticking to pavement, I don’t think this geometry suits that kind of rider.

Handling covered, let’s look at the rest of the Checkpoint’s attributes. The added cargo options (in frame storage, direct mount bag in main triangle) are great, almost mandatory, features for a gravel bike. My 54cm frame did have two water bottle mounts on the downtube, but it required a bit of trial and error with a Wolf Tooth B-Rad base to get two bottles to fit comfortably. With the Bontrager frame bag mounted, I needed to reposition the seat tube cage location to fit a bottle. Larger sizes have more space in the main triangle, so this won’t be an issue, but riders on frames smaller than 54 might need to look into alternative ways to carry water if they run the frame bag.

I do have a gripe with the road-bend bar on the SLR models. Trek sees this model as appealing to racers who are coming from a road background. This is why it gets a traditional, and lighter, road bar. But it’s still a gravel bike, and flared drops are awesome for comfort and control. Besides, flared bars are so awesome that once you ride them, you’ll want to put them on your road bikes. Thankfully, Trek didn’t do anything weird with the bar and stem on the new Checkpoint, so riders can fit anything they desire.

That’s my only gripe though. I love this bike, and the rest of the parts kit is dialed. I’m going to throw out special kudos for spec'ing the SRAM-equipped SLR models with power meters from the factory. I think that’s perfectly in line with this bikes purpose and customer.

Overall, the new Checkpoint is a wonderful gravel bike. It’s faster, better handling, and more suited to the needs of the today’s gravel rider.

Trek Checkpoint SLR 9 eTap

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A gear editor for his entire career, Matt’s journey to becoming a leading cycling tech journalist started in 1995, and he’s been at it ever since; likely riding more cycling equipment than anyone on the planet along the way. Previous to his time with Bicycling , Matt worked in bike shops as a service manager, mechanic, and sales person. Based in Durango, Colorado, he enjoys riding and testing any and all kinds of bikes, so you’re just as likely to see him on a road bike dressed in Lycra at a Tuesday night worlds ride as you are to find him dressed in a full face helmet and pads riding a bike park on an enduro bike. He doesn’t race often, but he’s game for anything; having entered road races, criteriums, trials competitions, dual slalom, downhill races, enduros, stage races, short track, time trials, and gran fondos. Next up on his to-do list: a multi day bikepacking trip, and an e-bike race. 

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Trek Checkpoint SL 7 gravel bike review: a true all-terrain vehicle

Trek's 'Adventure focused' lives up to bikepacking expectations, with stable geometry and practicality

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The Trek Checkpoint SL 7 is an outstanding all-rounder when it comes to all-terrain riding. A true ATV, the Checkpoint provides a planted, confidence-inspiring ride feel which is great for tackling more technical terrain. It might not be as supple as the likes of the Cannondale Topstone, but if long-distance trekking on tough terrain is your bag, the Checkpoint SL 7 is right on the money.

Planted ride feel

Compliant frameset

Handles luggage weight very well

In-frame storage is genuinely useful

Rugged ride feel won't be for everyone

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• Value and conclusion

Gravel riding is a discipline that holds a vast range of different bikes within its sphere, from gravel race bikes, to do-it-all rugged machines. Trek markets the Checkpoint SL range as its 'Adventure-focused' line, and I think they've got it spot on.

Having tested the Checkpoint SL on everything from roaming local trails to an overnight bikepacking excursion (fully laden with camping gear) I can confirm that if you are on the hunt for your next adventure gravel machine, then the Checkpoint SL 7 might just be one of the best gravel bikes on the market.

Trek Checkpoint SLR 7: Frameset

Since its last iteration which came out all the way back in 2018, Trek has given the new Checkpoint platform some serious revamping. The tubes are much chunkier now, giving the bike a much more industrial aesthetic. 

Trek still includes an 'IsoSpeed decoupler' at the seat stay junction - this is a pivot system, similar to Cannondale's 'Kingpin' which allows the seat post to flex fore and aft. This, alongside a standard 27.2mm seat post, is designed to give the bike some extra compliance where the rider will feel it most. Though, I found it doesn't offer quite as much real-world travel as the Cannondale equivalent.

One big change over the last iteration is the extinction of 'Stranglehold'. The system enabled chain stay length adjustment of up to 15mm (and single speed conversion!), which meant riders could alter the geometry between a slightly more stable ride (with longer chainstays), or a more playful one (shorter chain stays).

27.2mm carbon seatpost and ISO speed help compliance

Trek has opted for 435mm chainstays across all models - 10mm longer than the previous shortest setting. This does change the ride feel, which I will get onto, making for a more stable feeling rear end. Once again this characterizes the Checkpoint SL at the more adventure end of the gravel riding spectrum .

The in-frame storage is perhaps the most radical part of this bike's dedication to long-distance riding, and It works well. A section of the frame underneath the bottle cage on the downtube can be quickly released via a small lever, revealing room for a tool roll, and spares. While the 'boot capacity' is nothing overwhelming, it does provide a neat place to hide away annoying spares, like the odd tube, or smaller mini-pumps .

In-frame storage for tools

Trek has also included a plethora of mounting points - three bosses can be found on each fork blade, and the bike even holds the capability to mount a rear rack, which I think is a very underrated option for modern-day bikepacking, even if it isn't the most trendy. As well as these options, the usual suspects can be found with mounting points on the top tube, and underneath the down tube as well.

Notable too is the tire clearance. The new Checkpoint SL is good for 45mm tires when coupled with a 700c wheelset, but this can be upped to a 2.1 inch (53.3mm) for those who like the playful handling of a slightly smaller 650b wheelset. For the rough, and extremely varied terrain in my local testing ground, this too offered some much needed ride forgiveness.

Trek Checkpoint SLR 7: Components

The full Trek Checkpoint SL line-up spans a price range from $3,399.99 / £3,700.00 with the SL 5 to £6,400 with the SL 7, which is the model I had on test. This may be the top of the range for the 'SL' frameset, but it's worth noting with the SLR framesets, builds are priced as high as $12,249.99 / £12,000.00.

Nonetheless, the Checkpoint SL 7 still boasts some pretty high-performance parts, starting with the dependable SRAM Force AXS groupset . Trek opts for a two-by setup rather than a one-by system, which I think, for most consumers, will still be the better option. 

43/30t chainrings coupled with a 10-36t cassette provide a wide range of gears, which is great news for long-distance riders, especially those who carry luggage and this never left me feeling under, or over-geared.

Sram Force AXS groupset throughout

The checkpoint SL 7 rolls on in-house component brand Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V carbon wheels, which feature a 25mm internal rim width and a particularly loud freehub.

Though both the wheelset, and provided Bontrager GR1 tires are both tubeless-ready, the SL 7 comes out of the box with tubes to get started. Although I didn't set up the tires tubeless, it should be pretty easy, especially with a full Bontrager system. Bontrager provides rim strips, which snap into the Aeolus wheels, and are designed to work with Bontrager tires, meaning tight tolerances can be adhered to throughout the product range.

The finishing kit is a fairly standard affair, which can leave a little to be desired from a price standpoint, but then again it should be fairly robust. You do get Bontrager's carbon 27.2mm seat post, but both bars and stem are an alloy affair, with the 54cm frame on test coming stock with 420mm (center to center) bars, which are slightly flared, and a -7 degree 80mm stem. 

Trek Checkpoint SLR 7: The ride

As I mentioned all the way back in the intro, this bike got a jolly good reviewing. With gravel bikes often marketed as the 'do-it-all' bike option, I always see fit to test gravel bikes on a whole host of terrain.

I treated the Checkpoint no different, treating it to a heap of different obstacles. My first ride was a shorter blast around a local test loop, which encounters everything from fire road to steep single track and even some small jumps. This loop allows me to gain a pretty good tell on a bike's character from the off, and it is fair to say the Checkpoint certainly lies at the more stable end of the spectrum.

The Checkpoint handled all the terrain perfectly well, but offered a more straightforward ride characteristic when compared with a more flamboyant handling bike like the Cannondale Topstone Carbon 3 . For those who like a more dependable ride, this will be great news, but as someone whose riding is catered to a more playful experience, the Checkpoint wasn't quite so up my street. 

Bikepacking setup for a real test

Longer rides, and in particular, bikepacking , is where this gravel machine truly comes alive. I took the SL 7 on a (shortened due to illness) one-night trip around the Isle of Wight during testing, and this really allowed me to get to grips with the bike when fully burdened with all the equipment needed for a rough night's sleep away from home. 

The bike remained totally balanced even when loaded up with a saddle pack, frame bag, and bar bag. The in-frame storage too was super useful - as previously mentioned it might not be a huge amount of real estate, but in practice, I found it was just enough to stop me from sacrificing a heavier base layer as I was able to stow away multi-tool, mini-pump, and a tube all in the tool roll. At 8.9kg too, this does make a great bikepacking platform, being rugged whilst not carrying excess weight.

When it came to the steep ups and downs synoptical with the Isle of Wight, the Trek did not falter - in the same breath however, it did not blow me away. While the chunky tubing provides great power transfer and a truly robust feeling ride, I found the ride quality to lack the excitement of other gravel bikes I have tested. The best comparison is the Cannondale Topstone Carbon 3, which, though a heavier bike, at 9.22kg, actually feels lighter and more supple than the Checkpoint.

That said I did feel like I could throw the bike at absolutely anything, loaded up with gear or not, especially with the slightly flared bars, which offered great control.

Tire clearance of up to 45mm

For me, this comes down to geometry, and it is a double-edged sword. The Checkpoint, with longer chain stays than many of the best gravel bike contenders, is undoubtedly a more stable and planted ride - and some consumers will love the imposing ride feel this brings, but for others who favor a more supple ride quality, it might not be the bike for you.

It is important to note though, this is not a criticism, much more a characterization of the bike. As gravel riding spans such a wide spectrum, it is essential to consider what riding you prioritize, and what characteristics you want out of a gravel bike.

Trek Checkpoint SLR 7: Value and conclusion

Value aside, the Trek Checkpoint SL 7 is probably the best gravel bike I have ever tested when it comes to bikepacking. An unbeatable ride feel, especially when loaded, made for super easy riding on any sort of terrain, even when tiredness loomed heavy at the end of long days of riding. We tested 9 off-road machines to crown our gravel bike of the year , with the Trek Checkpoint SL 7 winning our 'best expedition bike' title. 

Include value too ($6,699.99 / £6,400.00 for the SL 7 we tested), and I think Trek is still on the money, but equally not groundbreaking. The most obvious competitor to the do-it-all Checkpoint is the Specialized Diverge Expert Carbon, which retails for a very similar $6,200.00 / £6,500.00. For a similar price, specialized matches the spec pretty much to every dotted T, also featuring carbon wheels, a second-tier SRAM AXS groupset (albeit one-by SRAM GX AXS), and alloy finishing kit.

There are certainly better value bikes out there though - the Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 1 for example, which won our overall best gravel bike of the year retails for $5,500.00 / £4,899.00, which is considerably more palatable than the SL 7. You do only get SRAM Rival AXS at this price point, and it doesn't feature the same number of mounting points if out-and-out exploration is what you are looking for, but it is still worth considering.

Trek Checkpoint SLR 7: Specs

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Joe is Cycling Weekly's tech writer. He's always had a love for bikes, since first riding a two wheeled steed before the age of four. Years down the line, Joe began racing at 16, and enjoyed great experiences internationally, racing in Italy, Spain and Belgium to name a few locations. Always interested in tech, Joe even piloted his Frankenstein hill climb bike to a Junior National Title in 2018.  After taking a step back from elite level racing in April 2022, Joe joined our team as a freelancer, before becoming Tech Writer in May 2023. 

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• Checkpoint SL 5

Trek Checkpoint SL6 eTap long-term review: Simple done brilliantly

The trek checkpoint is the only bike you need to take you on every adventure.

Cyclingnews Verdict

If you can only have one bike, the Trek Checkpoint SL6 eTap is a serious contender. It’s the kind of bike that just works. You can upgrade it if you want to but you don’t need to. There are mounts for mudguards and bags, and with only a tyre change it will transition from a comfortable road bike to a capable off-road partner.

SRAM Rival AXS is the perfect groupset for an all-arounder

Mud-guard mounts

Mounting points for every bag you can think of

Non-proprietary seat-post provides options

Internal storage is convenient

Downtube protection eases worry

Threaded bottom bracket

Ideal all-around gearing

Short stem for added stability means handlebar/knee interference

Lacks included protection for the chain stay

Detail behind the fork steerer collects water and is difficult to clean

You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

There's a cadre of people who get really far out into adventure riding that it's basically a small step away from needing a mountain bike. There are also lots of people who want the absolute fastest road bike available. Those ends of the spectrum don't represent the vast majority of riders though. Most people have a lot less focus and need a good, versatile bike that just works. We included the Trek Checkpoint on our list of the best gravel bikes available because that's exactly what you get, a bike that just works. 

The Trek Checkpoint is a bike that I have held onto for close to a year. It carried me across thousands of miles and all kinds of weather. I've had adventures on and off the road and I've put the bike to the test in every type of riding I could think of. After all this time, I'm ready to discuss the experience, what I like about it and where it falls short. If you've been considering a new gravel bike keep reading to see if the Trek Checkpoint is the right choice for you.

Design and aesthetics 

In many ways the Trek Checkpoint is a fairly uncomplicated design. The biggest standout design feature is the rear IsoSpeed decoupler system but even that piece, at least in the SL, sticks to the less complicated version. Trek refers to this version as the "seat tube IsoSpeed" and it refers, as expected, to the seat tube alone. There's no adjustment, nothing to think about, and just an isolation of the seat tube from the structure of the top tube and the seat stays. The end result is a passive suspension design that relies on flex in the 500 series OCLV carbon. 

To further exaggerate the effect, there's a prominent cutout near the bottom of the seat tube. The cutout doesn't reroute the tube for better aerodynamics but instead narrows the tube. The narrow point becomes the fulcrum and the rest of the tube has room to move around. If you want to add even more passive suspension, the non-proprietary round seat post means there's plenty of opportunity to take advantage of aftermarket seatposts. Something like the Ergon CF Allroad Pro Carbon seat post is an easy swap, further emphasising how uncomplicated the design of the Checkpoint is. 

There are a few other smart little design features as well. Details that continue to keep it simple but functional like the in-frame storage. Behind the water bottle mounts on the downtube is a lever that opens up a space at least as big as your typical flat repair kit. There's a bag that makes sure anything in the space doesn't rattle and the back of the door has room for the Bontrager Bits Multi-tool. 

On the other side of the down tube is where you'll find the carbon armour. This amounts to plastic cladding permanently attached to the lower section of the downtube. It's once again simple but important. Unfortunately, there's no matching armour on the rear chain stay but what you will find is a water bottle mount in the carbon armour. 

The under-the-downtube water bottle mount is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to mounting points. There are two standard water bottle mounts, that one under the downtube, and an extra three mounting points higher up the downtube. If you aren't running frame bags that's room for an extra water bottle but there are also three mounting points under the top tube. The Bontrager adventure frame pack, on our list of the best bikepacking bags , will attach to the frame without straps using these mounting points. That still leaves an extra pair of mounting points on the upper portion of the top tube for a bolt-on top tube pack. 

The SL version of the Trek Checkpoints goes even farther with mounting options. While the SLR build gets the lighter 700 series OCLV carbon it also does with "only" the fourteen frame mounting points. Sticking to the SL models means there are also three extra mounting points on each side of the fork. Both models also have the option of fitting real mudguards and the Bontrager NCS Alloy Fender Set is one of best out there although there are also other options on our list of the best mudguards . 

Like the design features, the aesthetics of the Checkpoint differ a bit throughout the lineup. The top-shelf SLR 6, 7, and 9 are where you'll find the most colour options while lower down the line the ALR and SL models have only one or two colours depending on the specific build. In the case of the SL 6 eTap here, the only colour available is a deep red Crimson/Carbon Red Smoke that dips the bulk of the frame in a rich high-gloss blood red. There are metallic flakes throughout and a geometric pattern at the downtube and forks with a few details in a darker smoked red. 

The Trek Checkpoint lineup is extensive to the point of confusion. Right now, there are 12 different models listed with three frames serving as the building blocks. Serving as the entry-level models, the aluminium ALR frameset gives less expensive options with two builds before moving up to the carbon SL models. All using the same 500 series OCLV carbon, the SL models have three builds. These are less expensive than the SLR models but also focused more squarely on bikepacking with additional fork mounts. At the top of the lineup, the four SLR models switch to the lighter 700 series OCLV carbon and they also lose the fork mounting points. 

The SL 6 eTap that we spent our time with represents a middle-of-the-lineup option and costs less than half the price of the top model. The groupset is SRAM Rival AXS with 12 gears across a 10-44 cassette and a 40-tooth front crankset. The frame works with 1x or 2x but if you want a front derailleur you'll have to decide if you'd prefer to move up or down. Down drops to 11-speed GRX while up gets SRAM Force AXS Wide but also packages carbon wheels and represents a significant price jump. 

Instead of the carbon wheels on the more expensive SL 7 eTap, the 6 comes with the alloy Bontrager Paradigm Comp wheelset. While not a particularly high-end wheel these check all the boxes with a centre lock disc interface, 25mm internal width, and tubeless compatibility. Thru axles are standard bolt-through in 12x142 and 12x100 and the included tyres are Bontrager GR1 Team issue in a conservative 700x40mm width. There is space for up to a 45mm tyre if you find yourself looking for more off-road capability. 

For the touchpoints, expect Bontrager pieces. The saddle is a short nose Bontrager Verse Comp with steel rails and it's supported by is a 27.2mm carbon piece also from Bontrager. At the front of the bike the bars are the rather unique Bontrager Elite Gravel bars that we feature in our best gravel handlebars list. They have an integrated foam padding to help ease the rough roads and come paired with a shorter than standard Bontrager alloy stem.  

Performance

As a journalist who writes about cycling technology, I have an attraction to exotic tech in bikes. The new Trek Madone with a chunk missing from the seatpost sounds interesting. Or, if we are talking gravel, maybe a single-sided Lefty suspension fork like the Cannondale Topstone I previously spent time on. The wilder the better for me both because of my job and because that's my personality. 

The problem is that those kinds of bikes can be difficult to live with. The higher the integration and the more proprietary the pieces, the bigger the challenge. For example, the Lefty fork is amazing at what it does but if I want to drive to a ride with a friend I have to ask what kind of rack they have. If it's a fork-mounted version, then it won't work for me.

Then there's the Trek Checkpoint SL 6 eTap and its distinct lack of fancy technology. On paper, it's almost a boring bike but when people ask me for a bike recommendation, it's often my go-to choice. There are mounts everywhere, including for mudguards and it will do whatever you ask of it. I got the Checkpoint, added Garmin power pedals and swapped the saddle to an Ergon SR Allroad Core Pro, and proceeded to ride it for thousands of miles without ever having an issue. When winter hit, I added mudguards and rode through the winter spending seven hours at a time in constant rain every weekend. I never once had to mess with seat post issues or creaky bearings, everything just worked. 

I changed wheels and handlebars because I was testing things but the stock pieces were fine. The groupset in particular is a highlight and has become my gold standard example of why 1x12 might make sense for everyone. Rival has worked flawlessly and while 11-speed 1x gearing occasionally leaves me searching for gears, 1x12 has everything I need. The 40-tooth front and 44 rear works for climbing on loose surfaces, even with a loaded bike, but has plenty of gearing for road riding too. Every now and then I spin out when descending and chasing someone but it's rare and I prefer to have the climbing gears. 

When asked, I tell people you can walk out of the store with an SL 6 eTap and there's nothing you need to swap. The wheels aren't light, or fancy, but they work just fine. Same with everything else except the stem. One of the headline details about the Trek Checkpoint is the geometry that uses a short stem and a long wheelbase and right away I found it annoying. I swapped to the Trek RSL stem in a 100mm length as soon as possible. I noticed no lack of stability but I did stop banging my knees on every hill. 

Other than the stem, the Checkpoint has never left me asking for more. During the winter I would come home freezing and drenched with a bike caked in mud. I didn't wash the bike and at one point the brakes only alerted me to an issue when the pads ground down to the metal backing. Despite the lack of maintenance the groupset, wheels, and frame haven't needed anything. If I want to go bikepacking, I will never need to get creative with mounting. If I want to use the Checkpoint as a road bike, a tyre swap will have it ready to go. 

There are bikes that excel at a particular thing. You can get as specialised as you want in whatever area appeals to you and you can collect a quiver of bikes that you choose between depending on what's on the menu that day. Or you could get a bike like the Trek Checkpoint SL 6 eTap that just works no matter what you want to do. 

The Checkpoint might be a gravel bike but that's far from all it offers. Swap to a 28 or 30mm tyre for road riding and it's perfectly capable of keeping up with whatever group you want to ride with. If a summer gravel race catches your eye, swap on a 40mm tyre and only your legs will keep you off the podium. For a more relaxed pace bikepacking weekend, a 45mm tire might be a good option and you can load up all the mounts with every bag you can think of.

The only real question is which of the many build options makes sense. The SLR frameset is lighter but it's also a lot more expensive and it lacks mounting points on the fork. The SL 5 build gets you all the mounting points at a lower price but it’s also an 11-speed mechanical build with narrower wheels. If you are looking to save money look to the aluminium frameset options and if you've got a bit more money to invest, the Trek Checkpoint SL 6 eTap represents a do it all bike that balances price and performance. 

Logbook: Trek Checkpoint SL6 eTap

• Temperature: .5-38 degrees C / 33-100 degrees F
• Weather: Anything you can ride in
• Road surface: paved roads, unpaved roads, and double track 
• Rides: many
• Mileage: 2778km / 1726 miles

Tech Specs: Trek Checkpoint SL6 eTap

• Price: £4,000.00 / $4,499.99 / €4,449.00 / $5699.99 AUS
• Frame: 500 Series OCLV Carbon, IsoSpeed, internal cable routing, downtube storage door, 3S chain keeper, T47 BB, rack and fender/mudguard mounts, integrated frame bag mounts, flat mount disc, dropper post compatible, 142x12mm thru axle
• Weight: 9.05 kg / 19.96 lbs claimed for size 56
• Groupset: SRAM RIVAL XPLR AXS
• Crankset: SRAM Rival XPLR crank; 40T
• Cassette: SRAM Rival XPLR 10-44T
• Wheels: Bontrager Paradigm Comp 25, Tubeless Ready, 25mm rim width
• Handlebar: Bontrager Elite Gravel, 42cm width
• Stem: Bontrager Pro, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 80mm length
• Seatpost: Bontrager carbon, 27.2mm, 8mm offset, 330mm length
• Saddle: Bontrager P3 Verse Comp, steel rails, 145mm width
• Tyres: Bontrager GR1 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, 700x40c
• Max tire size: 700x45c / 650x2.1"

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Josh hails from the Pacific Northwest of the United States but would prefer riding through the desert than the rain. He will happily talk for hours about the minutiae of cycling tech but also has an understanding that most people just want things to work. He is a road cyclist at heart and doesn't care much if those roads are paved, dirt, or digital. Although he rarely races, if you ask him to ride from sunrise to sunset the answer will be yes. Height: 5'9" Weight: 140 lb. Rides: Salsa Warbird, Cannondale CAAD9, Enve Melee, Look 795 Blade RS, Priority Continuum Onyx

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2022 Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 Review

Garret seacat, c.s.c.s..

Reviewing the all-new 2022 Trek Checkpoint ALR 5

The 2022 Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 is a welcomed update to an already successful line of gravel bikes from Trek. As a long-time cycling coach and native of the Flint Hills of Kansas, we didn’t hold back on our Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 review. 

2022 Trek Checkpoint ALR 5

• Lighter frame than the previous version
• Nicely equipped components.
• Feels quick and nimble even with the long-wheelbase
• Updated geometry
• Lifetime Warranty
• We don’t mind but the removal of sliding dropouts
• Not as relaxed geometry as Trek Domane making it more of a race bike than a relax gravel bike

First Impressions

The Checkpoint needs almost no introduction to most riders familiar with the gravel scene but this year brought along an update to the already popular bike. While you could spend big money and go for the incredibly well-equipped and lightweight SLR model, we decided to stay more modest and review a more humble ALR 5 that will likely find its way into your garage.

Before we get too far, I want to mention I am VERY familiar with the Checkpoint, and this is the 4th different one I’ve owned. And well before that, I was part of a bike shop that helped contribute and give input on the “new gravel” bike from Trek, or what we would later learn was the first version of the Checkpoint. I sold my 2020 SL after just deciding it wasn’t the right fit for me, but here I am again with another Checkpoint added to the stable of bikes.

Straight out of the box, I was impressed with how light it was, even with all the stock components at the time. Also, the updated paint schemes on all the models are gorgeous in person! However, I quickly realized while assembling the bike my taste for carbon would likely result in some upgrades reasonably quickly to help lighten the bike even more and improve the feel. More on that later.

Riding the Checkpoint

It wouldn’t be a Checkpoint ALR 5 review without putting it on the gravel in Kansas, and luckily that’s exactly where we are located. While you miss out on the Iso-Speed of higher-end carbon Checkpoints, you won’t notice it much. Having ridden a variety of carbon Trek bikes with Iso-Speed, I was pleasantly surprised at the ride quality of the ALR. To help take the edge off, I added an RSL seatpost, and then the bike came to match the ride quality of much more expensive bikes.

On the same idea of changing things, take the stock tires ASAP. They aren’t that good! They roll fast, but you will flat in no time and ruin that new bike experience.

After a quick 20-mile break-in ride with stock parts, I changed the wheels to a pair of Bontrager RSL 37V and changed the seatpost and stem to Bontrager RSL carbon bits. I also put a wider 44cm width bar on. Is this necessary? Absolutely not, but the bike really comes alive!

One note on the geometry, it feels great but is noticeably different than the previous model. While the effective top tube says it is longer it felt shorter! The wheelbase also got shortened this year but has more front toe clearance and a similar chainstay length to previous years.

Since putting this bike together, I have almost shelved my carbon bikes completely. I even went to a couple of gravel races and left the carbon race bike at home because I enjoy the new Checkpoint ALR 5 that much! The best part is having riders come over and pick it up and their shock when I tell them how much I have invested in it compared to what they have spent.

Final Thoughts

At $2500 retail, you cannot go wrong with the Checkpoint ALR 5. It is just a all around fun bike to ride. The stock Shimano GRX R600 and R800 components and tubeless-ready wheels will have you ready for whatever you want. If you can swing it, grab a carbon seat post, I recommend the Bontrager RSL for the “flex” to help take a little more out of the gravel.

If you can find a shop with an ALR 5 in stock then give it a ride and don’t think twice about taking it home if it fits!

Coach Seacat has carved a space for himself as an expert coach in the discipline of cycling. With 15+ years of coaching and prestigious certifications from USA Cycling and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Coach Seacat brings a comprehensive approach to coaching that combines advanced training techniques with fundamental cycling strategies.

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The New Trek Checkpoint Driftless has a Dropper Post

Previous Dispatch From Mon Aug 8, 2022

Weekend Snapshot

The new limited edition Trek Checkpoint Driftless comes kitted out with a custom paint job, frame bag, and a dropper post, making it one of the most versatile Checkpoint models yet. Learn more here…

The Checkpoint is Trek’s most capable drop-bar rig, with features like 45mm tire clearance, 1x drivetrain compatibility, a wide range of mounting points, and a variety of different price points and builds in aluminum and carbon. Just announced, the new Trek Checkpoint Driftless is their latest take on a gravel bike, which includes a few updates that look promising for bikepacking or anyone looking to get a little wild.

The Checkpoint Driftless is built up around Trek’s aluminum ALR 5 platform using their 300 Series Alpha Aluminum frame and a carbon fork. The frame has mounts under the downtube, top tube bosses, triple pack mounts on each fork leg, and rack and fender compatibility. This limited edition model takes things a step further with a 50mm travel Easton EA70 AX dropper post, a custom bolt-on frame bag, and Trek decided to update the press-fit bottom bracket to a threaded Praxis T47. The Driftless Checkpoint is finished with a new Satin Cobra Blood paint job with topographic map details and is available in six sizes from 49 to 61cm.

Checkpoint Driftless Build Kit

• Frame 300 Series Alpha Aluminum
• Fork Checkpoint Carbon
• Bottom Bracket Praxis T47 threaded
• Headset FSA Integrated
• Shifter Shimano GRX RX810, 11 speed
• Rear Derailleur Shimano GRX RX812, long cage
• Crankset Shimano GRX RX600, 40T
• Bottom Bracket Shimano SLX M7000, 11-42, 11 speed
• Chain Shimano HG601
• Handlebar Bontrager Elite Gravel
• Brake Rotor Shimano SM-RT70, centerlock, 160mm
• Wheels Bontrager Paradigm, Tubeless Ready
• Tires Bontrager GR2 Team Issue, 120TPI, 700x40mm
• Stem Bontrager Elite
• Bar Tape Bontrager Supertack Perf tape
• Saddle Bontrager P3 Verse Comp
• Other Bontrager TLR sealant, Rim Strips

The Trek Checkpoint Driftless costs $2,899 USD and is currently only available to purchase in-store. Learn more at TrekBikes.com .

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Trek present the new Checkpoint gravel bike family – For racers, adventurers and everyone in between

Trek have come out all guns blazing in the hotly contested gravel market, now also catering to gravel racers in addition to adventurers, commuters and leisure riders. Thanks to the new performance-oriented Trek Checkpoint SLR models, expanding the range alongside the new SL and ALR variants. Read on for all the details.

Warning: this article should only be read by people who don’t have trouble deciding. Instead of one new gravel bike, Trek are launching a whole family of new Checkpoint gravel bikes! By reading this, you run the risk of buying not just one but several Checkpoint models. The first generation Checkpoint SL and ALR models have been revised and the new SLR series has been added to the family. The US brand want to offer a suitable bike for every gravel type out there, regardless of whether you’re a die-hard racer, die-hard commuter or fair-weather weekend rider, provided you know which type you are. If you’re not quite sure, then it is high time you check out our interactive buyer’s guide ! Don’t worry, this article will still be here when you come back 😉 Below, you’ll find an overview of the various Trek Checkpoint models, listing their similarities and differences.

What do the Checkpoint SLR, SL and ALR models have in common?

Even if all three platforms are based on different frames, they do have some things in common. On the one hand, all new Checkpoint bikes can accommodate up to 700 x 45C or 650 x 54B tires, though the frame was designed for 700C wheels and the stock builds clearly focus on this setup. Another thing they have in common is the geometry, which is identical for all models and Trek describe as new and progressive. The bikes are said to benefit from more speed and agility with consistently stable and composed handling on fast, demanding descents. To achieve this, the reach of each frame size has grown by 2 cm, which is a lot. Trek have also lengthened the chainstays for more stability and composure. To not stretch the riding position too much due to the extended front centre, Trek have developed the new GR Elite handlebars, providing a relatively short reach. According to Trek, the riding position on the new Checkpoint thereby remains unchanged. However, our last gravel bike group test found the position a little too aggressive and unsuitable for long rides. If you want to find out more about the predecessor, you can go straight to the review here .

Speaking of the predecessor, the horizontal dropouts from the last Checkpoint generation are a thing of the past since the option to adjust the chainstay length hardly got used. As such, the new frame is less complex and more cost-effective to produce. Another thing all models have in common is the absence of the IsoSpeed system up front, whereas the SL and SLR models come equipped with IsoSpeed damping at the rear. Trek say the system makes little sense at the front since the voluminous tires offer sufficient damping and riders hardly register the IsoSpeed system there, not to mention the higher cost of production. Compared to their predecessors, Trek rely on threaded T47 bottom brackets for the new Checkpoint models – and, in future, probably all Trek bikes. Excellent! After the release of the new RockShox Rudy fork (review here) or the new BMC URS LT ONE with the MTT suspension fork (review here) , you may be asking whether the new Trek Checkpoint bikes are compatible with suspension forks? Unfortunately, we’ll have to be patient for a little while longer as Trek are currently still in the process of publishing a list of approved gravel suspension forks. Speaking of which, you will find a clear list of all the specs after we’ve taken a closer look at the three model ranges in the family.

The new Trek Checkpoint SLR models in detail

The new SLR bikes only have one thing in mind: gravel races. With tube profiles inspired by the Trek Émonda (review here) , the new Checkpoint SLR is just waiting to get to the starting line. For the frame material, Trek have chosen to rely on their so-called 700 OCLV carbon lay-up, which they’re using on a gravel bike for the first time, keeping weight to a minimum. In addition to a storage compartment for tools in the down tube, the frame also features a new development of the well-known IsoSpeed system. Compared to the SL model, which we previously criticised for its lack of damping, the SLR uses the IsoSpeed design of the Trek Madone (review here) , but it isn’t adjustable on the Checkpoint SLR. According to Trek, only very few riders use this function and removing it allowed them to simplify the system and minimise additional weight.

Instead of a standard seat post, the Checkpoint SLR relies on a seat mast cap, which, like the Checkpoint SL of the last generation, has both advantages and disadvantages. Fans of customisation will be happy to hear that the Checkpoint SLR is the first gravel bike in the US brand’s portfolio available in the coveted Project One version. In addition to different colours, the customer can also choose from various themes, 1x and 2x drivetrains, specify the length and width of the stem and handlebar, and configure other components according to their preferences for a fully customised Checkpoint SLR. Compared to the SL and ALR, the gravel racing focused SLR comes with fewer mounting points, dispensing with the option of mounting a luggage rack on the rear or cargo cages on the fork legs. The new SLR is available in four different builds, costing between € 6,999 and € 11,999.

The new Trek Checkpoint SL models in detail

Trek are promoting the new Checkpoint SL as an adventure gravel bike. Like its predecessor, the SL relies on an IsoSpeed decoupler on the seat tube and is made from 500 Series OCLV carbon. In addition to adding a tool compartment, they’ve done away with the seat mast cap. Instead, Trek rely on a classic 27.2 mm seat post for Checkpoint SL. Above all, this has the advantage that anyone who wants to let rip on singletrack now has the option of retrofitting a dropper post. Compared to the SLR, the Checkpoint SL is equipped with additional bosses for water bottles or cargo cages on the fork legs and a luggage rack on the rear. The new Checkpoint SL is offered in three versions or as a frame set, ranging in price from € 3,499 to 5,999 €.

The new Trek Checkpoint ALR model in detail

The all-rounder in the Checkpoint family, the ALR model, comes with a 300 series Alpha aluminium frame, which promises to be particularly robust. With numerous mounting points for mudguards, bags, bottle cages and front and rear luggage racks, the Checkpoint ALR should be ready to take on whatever you want. The spectrum ranges from adventure touring and daily commuting to the occasional gravel race. Sound impossible? Not if you ask the Trek Checkpoint ALR, which is available in just one version for € 2,399 or as a frame set.

List of all models and features

Trek have done it, expanding their portfolio to include a thoroughbred gravel racing machine with exciting features. However, the adventurers, commuters and recreational riders amongst us can breathe a sigh of relief as they’ve also thought of the well-known SL and ALR models. Unfortunately, we haven’t had the opportunity to get our hands on one of the new Checkpoint bikes but we can’t wait to put them to the test!

For more information on the new Trek Checkpoint models, visit trekbikes.com

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Words: Photos: Trek

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Trek Checkpoint: Super Versatile New Gravel Rig from Trek

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‘Gravel’ has been a bit of a gap in Trek’s extensive lineup. The Boone ‘cross bike got a long way there, while the Domané SLR Disc, with room for 35mm tires, crossed much of the divide as well, but neither satisfied the craving for truly monstrous rubber volume on a drop bar bike. The gap has been filled. Say ‘hello’ to the new Trek Checkpoint gravel bike.

First things first, despite similarities to many 650b/700c swappable bikes like the Open U.P. or 3T Exploro, namely the dropped drive side chain stay, the Checkpoint was designed for 700c wheels alone. But Trek didn’t let that get in the way of the tire volume. While many, like our Checkpoint SL6 test bike, will ship 35mm Schwalbe G-One Allaround tires, the bike can straddle 28mm to 45mm knobby tires with ease, while running traditional road gears.

Trek’s launching a full line of Checkpoints, from an alloy ALR version starting at just $1700, to the carbon SL6 we’re testing with mechanical Ultegra, tubeless ready Paradigm comp disc wheels, Schwalbe tires, and Trek’s IsoSpeed rear decoupler, debuted on the first Domané, for $3800. These are very appealing price points, for what will likely be someone’s second bike, although in our experience, these kinds of platforms can capably be every day riders, on and off road.

The Checkpoint shares its geometry with no other bike in Trek’s line up. It is slightly taller than a Boone, it has a lower bottom bracket too, while featuring Trek’s adjustable Stranglehold dropouts out back. Want to run it with road tires and a rear end as short as a Domané SLR Disc? You can. Need more stability and clearance for deep gravel or a bike fitted with 45mm tires and loaded with packs? Slide the 12mm through axles back and you’ve got a long and stable bike. The flat disc brake mounts also slide along with the axle. Bonus for all you single speed nut cases, you can use the Stranglehold set up to tension your chain, just don’t run a front ring smaller than 40t or the chain may impact your dropped chain stay.

In the ALR versions, Trek is relying on tire volume for compliance, while the SL5 and SL6 carbon versions get IsoSpeed rear ends, but not the adjustable rear end and IsoSpeed front end on the new Domané SLR. The reality is, tire volume does the heavy lifting when it comes to compliance, and with 45mm tires on the bike at low pressure, the IsoSpeed will be almost irrelevant. But with a set of 28mm tires, it will be a welcome addition on rough road. It’s just more evidence of the Trek Checkpoint’s potential versatility.

In the name of that versatility, Trek has covered the Checkpoint in bottle mounts (up to four!), rack mounts, body armor, and fender mounts, but very stealthily. The bike can easily be mistaken for a Boone or Domane race bike, but can transition to a Tour Divide machine if needed.

Our Checkpoint SL6 test bike is a size 61cm, and with the Ultegra build, Bontrager Paradigm wheels, Bontrager alloy cockpit, carbon seat mast, Bontrager Montrose saddle and Schwalbe G-One tires our test bike weighs 8.89kg/19.5lbs. That’s not light, but it is the biggest size Trek makes. With a 56cm frame weighing 1204grams and a few choice upgrades the bike could shave significant weight. At $3800 for this build, there might be some budget for upgrades left over. We’d recommend a set of Aeolus Pro 3 TLR wheels as the first move.

Look for a full review in the pages of PELOTON Magazine very soon, the Trek Checkpoint is available now, go to trekbikes.com for more info.

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Testing the All New Trek Checkpoint

I put Trek's newest gravel bike to the test on a 180-mile bikepacking trip through the Sonoran Desert. Here's how it held up.

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

At this year’s edition of the Outside Annual Bike Test, the Trek Domane SLR 6 Gravel was one of the most roundly praised all-road bikes. Testers loved the comfortable ride provided by the dual IsoSpeed decouplers, which use bearing pivots at the seatpost and head tube to allow the saddle and bars to move vertically and absorb road vibrations. “If the Domane Gravel had clearance for wider tires than its 35c Schwalbes, it would have ridden away with Gear of the Year honors,” I wrote. But since the bike was effectively the same frame as last year’s SLR7 Disc , just with fatter tires shoehorned in, it felt more like leveraging existing technology than a step forward.

So, a few weeks ago, when Trek announced the Checkpoint , which appeared to be a gravel-specific platform based on the Domane, I was exultant. This bike had the potential to be the definitive all-surface road bike: light enough for full road duty, compliant enough for all-day rides on pavement or dirt, and with huge tire clearance (45 millimeters on 700c). When the bike I’d lined up for an upcoming weeklong bikepacking trip in Organ Mountains National Monument fell through, Trek saved the day by rushing out a Checkpoint SL6 ($3,800) for me to test instead. Based on all the Domanes I’d ridden over the years, and especially the gravel-specific model we loved so much in January, I expected that this bike might turn out to be today’s definitive word in gravel machines.

In black-on-black livery, the all-carbon bike certainly looks promising, with a full Shimano Ultegra group set, Stranglehold dropouts for chainstay adjustments between 425 and 440 milimeters and easy singlespeed setups, and mounts for damn near everything from a triple cage on the down tube to fenders and racks to a feed bag on the top tube. The 35c Schwalbe G-One Allround tires, ostensibly a pretty wide tread, look diminutive in the frame because there’s so much clearance. And the cap-style carbon seat mast, topped off with Bontrager’s pretty comfy Montrose saddle, promised to provide excellent vertical compliance.

However, two things about the bike immediately jumped out at me. First, the rear IsoSpeed decoupler was the fixed variety, not the adjustable one that allows you to fine-tune firmness, as on the Domane we’d ridden. My apprehensions were allayed after Trek confirmed that the fixed setting was the softest they make, which is what I desire on a gravel platform. More worryingly, Trek had foregone the front decoupler for a fixed head tube. I was also surprised that the bike came with alloy bars, not Bontrager’s cushy IsoCore carbon variety that are designed to blunt road chatter. These omissions read like cost-saving measures, and it’s true that at $3,800, this top-spec, 19.1-pound Checkpoint represents very solid value.

In Organ Pipe, I loaded the Checkpoint with several days of provisions, including eight liters of water, tent, food, and sleeping bag and pad, and set off. Though my packs weren’t tailor-made for the bike, all the mounts were welcome and the fairly substantial load hauled fine.

The roads in the monument range from smooth laterite to choppy dirt washboard, and even some passages of rubble and sand. I’d also see around 30 miles of pavement over the next few days. Immediately, the rear end of the bike, with the decoupler, felt as soft and comfortable as I’d expected. Even in the short chainstay setting, the Checkpoint was plenty stable for the hilly country.

The front end of the bike, however, was as stiff as a race machine, chopping around on the dusty roads and sending reverberations through my hands, arms, and neck. I was running 33 PSI in the tubeless tires, which I generally consider to be comfortably soft for 35c, but the front of the bike, including alloy bars, rattled me like an out-of-balance washing machine. To be fair, it’s not that the Checkpoint was more rigid than any other carbon bike would be on this rugged terrain; rather, having ridden the Domane Gravel, I just wanted the softer ride of the decoupler and carbon bars.

Over five days, I plowed the Checkpoint through 180 miles of hot, dry, rugged Sonoran Desert and was mostly happy. Overall, this is a very good bike, as I’ve come to expect from Trek. Detailing is impeccable, and spec is top-notch (other than the Schwalbe tires, which landed me with four flats, more than double in our two-week, 50-bike test, meaning this rubber may feel great, but it’s not durable enough for the desert). All the mounts, as well as the adjustable chainstay length, are a true boon.

That said, I can’t help but feel like Trek has missed the mark a touch with the Checkpoint. I was a little surprised to find that the bike is actually lower and longer than the Domane, whereas I would have hoped for a bit more relaxed and stable fit. For me, the ultimate gravel bike will not only be as light and maneuverable as a road bike and as comfortably cast as an endurance machine, but it will also check off three other metrics:

• It will have ample tire clearance.
• The rear end will be supple and easy on the back.
• The front will be just as compliant as the rear end.

Most bikes today, including the Checkpoint, hit two of those checkmarks, but not all three. I like to joke that the ultimate gravel bike would combine the rear end of a Trek Domane with the Future Shock front end of a Specialized Diverge . Fanciful fusions aside, the fact is the door is open to a company that can combine big tire clearance with a comfy ride, both front and rear.

The Checkpoint is a good bike, and if it fits and you’re in the market for a reasonably affordable mixed-surface machine that can double as a roadie and commuter, it’s definitely worth considering. However, Trek owns—in the IsoSpeed decouplers—the ability to make a gravel machine that isn’t just on a par with everything else, but the benchmark in both performance and comfort, and the Checkpoint doesn’t rise to that standard. Trek says it left out the front decoupler both as a cost-saving measure and to minimize complexity, to which some gravel racers are averse. However, having ridden the Domane Gravel with 35c tires and also having done a fair bit of gravel racing myself, I’d say the Checkpoint’s stiff front end holds it back from greatness. I’m sure the bike would feel more compliant with fatter tires—and the wide clearance is welcome. But not unlike with my time aboard the Domane Gravel, I finished my ride on the Checkpoint feeling that Trek still hasn’t achieved its potential.

­­Perhaps it’s just a matter of time.

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The New Trek Checkpoint 2022 Features That Are Worth the Hype

In 2022, the giant US bike company Trek released the new Checkpoint gravel bike line as a successor to their original 2018 Checkpoint bikes. As predicted, each bike is equipped with new and improved features to enhance rider’s experience when riding on the gravel track. So, what are those new Trek Checkpoint 2022 features? Are those features worth the hype?

New Trek Checkpoint 2022 Progressive geometry

Trek boasted the new and improved geometry on their new trek e Gravel bike line. Compared to the original line, the new Checkpoint gravel bikes feature a longer chainstay length, higher trail value, and longer wheelbase. These geometry improvements promise a better handling at high speed climbs while also providing stability in fast and rough descents.

SRAM Rival eTap AXS drivetrain

Trek equipped some of the high-end bikes on their new bike line with the wireless SRAM Rival eTap AXS drivetrain. Its 2×12 setup (SLR 7, SL7 eTap, SL6 eTap) is more than enough to get you through a wide variety of climbs and terrains. On top of that, you can say goodbye to the cluttered external cable routing with SRAM’s new wireless technology.

Despite being wireless, this new Trek Checkpoint 2022 drivetrain is proven to be quite responsive for rapid and quick gear changes.

IsoSpeed decoupler

One of the challenges of riding any diamond-shaped bike frame is to bear with the bumpiness of the road. However, you can now say goodbye to the misery with the improved IsoSpeed decoupler. This feature compromises a pivoting axle system that encourages better bump absorption over rough and rugged terrain. However, the IsoSpeed decoupler can only be found on carbon Checkpoint gravel bikes only.

Hidden storage

Another clever feature on the new Trek Checkpoint 2022 releases is the down tube-integrated storage compartment. The hidden compartment is securely locked with a lever. The cleverly-integrated storage is enough to store your protein bars, CO2 cartridge tire inflator, tire lever, and other handy tools.

Integrated mounts

If you like camping or adventuring with your gravel bike, the new Trek Checkpoint got all of that covered with the cleverly-integrated mounts. For water bottles, three separate racks can be found on the inner triangle of the frame. In addition to that, you can attach bags on the seat tube, head tube, top tube, and the handlebar.

So, those are some of the most exciting features that you can find on the new Trek Checkpoint 2022 gravel bike line. With all those features, Trek has successfully created a versatile gravel bike for any activity and terrains. So, get your new Checkpoint now.

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• Rider Notes

2024 Trek Checkpoint SL Frameset

A carbon frame gravel frameset.

Checkpoint SL Frameset

In Stock: 52cm & 54cm

For This Bike

View more similar bikes →

5'1" – 5'5"

5'3" – 5'7"

5'5" – 5'9"

5'8" – 6'0"

5'10" – 6'2"

6'0" – 6'4"

• 5'7", size 54, Fits large
• 5'10", size LG, Just right
• 5'9", size 52cm, Just right

Jan 2024 · Calvin Zajac

Is Trek’s mid-range gravel machine better than its top-end twin? The Checkpoint SL 7 offers adventure on a (slightly) lower budget, but is that enough to beat the competition in our adventure gravel bike group test?

Outstanding versatility

A lot of practical features

High-quality design, boasting first-class workmanship

No chainstay protector

Read Review

Oct 2023 · Guy Kesteven

Trek’s Checkpoint has unique progressive geometry and scissor frame features and all the mount points you could want. But is it a multi-surface, multi-mission master or a complicated compromise?

IsoPulse Decoupler is a significant ride smoother

Well balanced road or rough handling

Efficient speed on all surfaces

SL 6 model is a real performance for price sweet spot

Saddle is a bit squishy on longer rides

Many mounts mean slightly more mass

Controls go through the headset

Non removable front mech tab

Rough rear hub

Oct 2022 · Mat Brett

Get all the details of this fiery red gravel/adventure bike with Trek’s gravel-smoothing IsoSpeed

Sep 2022 · Josh Ross

The Trek Checkpoint is the only bike you need to take you on every adventure

SRAM Rival AXS is the perfect groupset for an all-arounder

Mud-guard mounts

Mounting points for every bag you can think of

Non-proprietary seat-post provides options

Internal storage is convenient

Downtube protection eases worry

Threaded bottom bracket

Ideal all-around gearing

Short stem for added stability means handlebar/knee interference

Lacks included protection for the chain stay

Detail behind the fork steerer collects water and is difficult to clean

Aug 2022 · Sam Challis

Neat tricks combined with smart design equals good fun. The Checkpoint SL is the sweetspot in Trek's gravel range

Effective geometry

Sensible spec

Neat extra frame features

Comfortable

Non-removable front derailleur mount

Headset cable integration design isn’t watertight

May 2022 · Jack Luke

A highly versatile gravel bike that's comfortable and decent value too

Notably comfortable ride

Very versatile

Inelegant seat-clamp design

Occasionally rattly

Feb 2022 · Betsy Welch

Rockwell's bike pays tribute her home, and of eras gone by.

Updated geometry and differentiated models for speed, adventure, and all purpose riding

Last updated April 10

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March 2024’s Most Wanted Malware: Hackers Discover New Infection Chain Method to Deliver Remcos

Researchers have discovered a new method of deploying the Remote Access Trojan (RAT) Remcos, bypassing common security measures to gain unauthorized access to victims’ devices. Meanwhile, Blackbasta entered the top three of the most wanted ransomware groups and Communications jumped into third place in the most exploited industries  

Our latest Global Threat Index for March 2024 saw researchers reveal hackers utilizing Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) files to deploy Remote Access Trojan (RAT) Remcos. Meanwhile, Lockbit3 remained the most prevalent ransomware group in March despite the law enforcement takedown in February, although its frequency on the 200 Check Point monitored ransomware “shame sites” reduced from 20% to 12%.

Remcos is a known malware that has been seen in the wild since 2016. This latest campaign bypasses common security measures to give cybercriminals unauthorized access to victims’ devices. Despite its lawful origins to remotely managing Windows systems, cybercriminals soon began to capitalize on the tool’s capacity to infect devices, capture screenshots, log keystrokes and transmit gathered data to designated host servers. Moreover, the RAT has a mass mailer function that can enact distributions campaigns and overall, its various functions can be used to create botnets. Last month, it rose to fourth position on the top malware list from sixth place in February.

The evolution of attack tactics highlights the relentless advancement of cybercriminal strategies. This underscores the need for organizations to prioritize proactive cyber security measures. By staying vigilant, deploying robust endpoint protection, and fostering a culture of cyber security awareness, we can collectively fortify our defenses against evolving cyber threats.

Check Point’s Ransomware Index highlights insights fro ransomware “shame sites” run by double-extortion ransomware groups which posted victim information.Lockbit3 once again tops the ranking with 12% of published attacks, followed by Play at 10%, and Blackbasta at 9%. Entering the top three for the first time, Blackbasta, claimed responsibility for a recent cyberattack on the Scullion Law , a Scottish legal firm.

Last month, the top exploited vulnerability was “Web Servers Malicious URL Directory Traversal” affecting 50% of organizations globally, followed closely by “Command Injection Over HTTP,” with 48% and “HTTP Headers Remote Code Execution” with 43%.

Top malware families

*The arrows relate to the change in rank compared to the previous month.

FakeUpdates was the most prevalent malware last month with an impact of 6% on worldwide organizations, followed by Qbot with a global impact of 3%, and Formbook with a global impact of 2%.

• ↔ FakeUpdates – FakeUpdates (AKA SocGholish) is a downloader written in JavaScript. It writes the payloads to disk prior to launching them. FakeUpdates led to further compromise via many additional malware, including GootLoader, Dridex, NetSupport, DoppelPaymer, and AZORult.
• ↔ Qbot – Qbot AKA Qakbot is a multipurpose malware that first appeared in 2008. It was designed to steal a user’s credentials, record keystrokes, steal cookies from browsers, spy on banking activities, and deploy additional malware. Often distributed via spam email, Qbot employs several anti-VM, anti-debugging, and anti-sandbox techniques to hinder analysis and evade detection. Commencing in 2022, it emerged as one of the most prevalent Trojans.
• ↔ Formbook – Formbook is an Infostealer targeting the Windows OS and was first detected in 2016. It is marketed as Malware as a Service (MaaS) in underground hacking forums for its strong evasion techniques and relatively low price. Formbook harvests credentials from various web browsers, collects screenshots, monitors and logs keystrokes, and can download and execute files according to orders from its C&C.
• ↑ Remcos – Remcos is a RAT that first appeared in the wild in 2016. Remcos distributes itself through malicious Microsoft Office documents, which are attached to SPAM emails, and is designed to bypass Microsoft Windows UAC security and execute malware with high-level privileges.
• ↑ AgentTesla – AgentTesla is an advanced RAT functioning as a keylogger and information stealer which is capable of monitoring and collecting the victim’s keyboard input, taking screenshots, and exfiltrating credentials to a variety of software installed on a victim’s machine (including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and the Microsoft Outlook email client).
• ↓ AsyncRat – Asyncrat is a Trojan that targets the Windows platform. This malware sends out system information about the targeted system to a remote server. It receives commands from the server to download and execute plugins, kill processes, uninstall/update itself, and capture screenshots of the infected system.
• ↑ CloudEyE – CloudEye is a downloader that targets the Windows platform and is used to download and install malicious programs on victims’ computers.
• ↓ Nanocore – NanoCore is a Remote Access Trojan that targets Windows operating system users and was first observed in the wild in 2013. All versions of the RAT contain basic plugins and functionalities such as screen capture, crypto currency mining, remote control of the desktop and webcam session theft.
• ↑ NJRat – NJRat is a remote accesses Trojan, targeting mainly government agencies and organizations in the Middle East. The Trojan first emerged in 2012 and has multiple capabilities: capturing keystrokes, accessing the victim’s camera, stealing credentials stored in browsers, uploading and downloading files, performing process and file manipulations, and viewing the victim’s desktop. NJRat infects victims via phishing attacks and drive-by downloads, and propagates through infected USB keys or networked drives, with the support of Command & Control server software.
• ↓Phorpiex – Phorpiex is a botnet known for distributing other malware families via spam campaigns as well as fueling large scale Sextortion campaigns.

Top exploited vulnerabilities  

Last month, “ Web Servers Malicious URL Directory Traversal ” was the most exploited vulnerability, impacting  50% of organizations globally, followed by “Command Injection Over HTTP” with 48% and “HTTP Headers Remote Code Execution” at 43% .

• ↔ Web Servers Malicious URL Directory Traversal (CVE-2010-4598,CVE-2011-2474,CVE-2014-0130,CVE-2014-0780,CVE-2015-0666,CVE-2015-4068,CVE-2015-7254,CVE-2016-4523,CVE-2016-8530,CVE-2017-11512,CVE-2018-3948,CVE-2018-3949,CVE-2019-18952,CVE-2020-5410,CVE-2020-8260) – There exists a directory traversal vulnerability On different web servers. The vulnerability is due to an input validation error in a web server that does not properly sanitize the URI for the directory traversal patterns. Successful exploitation allows unauthenticated remote attackers to disclose or access arbitrary files on the vulnerable server.
• ↔ Command Injection Over HTTP (CVE-2021-43936, CVE-2022-24086) – A command Injection over HTTP vulnerability has been reported. A remote attacker can exploit this issue by sending a specially crafted request to the victim. Successful exploitation would allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target machine.
• ↑ HTTP Headers Remote Code Execution ( CVE-2020-10826, CVE-2020-10827, CVE-2020-10828, CVE-2020-1375) – HTTP headers let the client and the server pass additional information with an HTTP request. A remote attacker may use a vulnerable HTTP Header to run arbitrary code on the victim machine.
• ↓ Zyxel ZyWALL Command Injection (CVE-2023-28771) – A command injection vulnerability exists in Zyxel ZyWALL. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability would allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands in the affected system.
• ↔ Apache Struts2 Remote Code Execution (CVE-2017-5638) – A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Apache Struts2. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
• ↑ WordPress portable-phpMyAdmin Plugin Authentication Bypass (CVE-2012-5469) – An authentication bypass vulnerability exists in WordPress portable-phpMyAdmin Plugin. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability would allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information and gain unauthorized access to the affected system.
• ↓ PHP Easter Egg Information Disclosure (CVE-2015-2051) – An information disclosure vulnerability has been reported in the PHP pages. The vulnerability is due to incorrect web server configuration. A remote attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted URL to an affected PHP page.
• ↑ MVPower CCTV DVR Remote Code Execution (CVE-2016-20016) – A remote code execution vulnerability exists in MVPower CCTV DVR. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
• ↑ Dasan GPON Router Authentication Bypass (CVE-2012-5469) – A command injection vulnerability exists in PHPUnit. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability would allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands in the affected system.
• ↔ OpenSSL TLS DTLS Heartbeat Information Disclosure (CVE-2014-0160, CVE-2014-0346) – An information disclosure vulnerability exists in OpenSSL. The vulnerability, aka Heartbleed, is due to an error when handling TLS/DTLS heartbeat packets. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to disclose the memory contents of a connected client or server.

Top Mobile Malwares

Last month Anubis was in first place as the most prevalent Mobile malware, followed by AhMyth and Cerberus .

• ↔ Anubis – Anubis is a banking Trojan malware designed for Android mobile phones. Since it was initially detected, it has gained additional functions including Remote Access Trojan (RAT) functionality, keylogger, audio recording capabilities and various ransomware features. It has been detected on hundreds of different applications available in the Google Store.
• ↔ AhMyth – AhMyth is a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) discovered in 2017. It is distributed through Android apps that can be found on app stores and various websites. When a user installs one of these infected apps, the malware can collect sensitive information from the device and perform actions such as keylogging, taking screenshots, sending SMS messages, and activating the camera, which is usually used to steal sensitive information.
• ↑ Cerberus – First seen in the wild in June 2019, Cerberus is a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) with specific banking screen overlay functions for Android devices. Cerberus operates in a Malware as a Service (MaaS) model, taking the place of discontinued bankers like Anubis and Exobot. Its features include SMS control, key-logging, audio recording, location tracker, and more.

Top-Attacked Industries Globally

Last month Education/Research remained first place in the most attacked industries globally, followed by Government/Military and Communications.

• Education/Research
• Government/Military
• Communications

Top Ransomware Groups This section features information derived from ransomware “shame sites” operated by double-extortion ransomware groups which posted the names and information of victims. The data from these shame sites carries its own biases, but still provides valuable insights into the ransomware ecosystem

Lockbit3 was the most prevalent ransomware group last month, responsible for 12% of the published attacks, followed by Play with 10% and Blackbasta with 9% .

• Lockbit3 – LockBit is a ransomware, operating in a RaaS model, first reported in September 2019. LockBit targets large enterprises and government entities from various countries and does not target individuals in Russia or the Commonwealth of Independent States. Despite experiencing significant outages in February 2024 due to law enforcement action, Lockbit has resumed publishing information about its victims.
• Play – Play Ransomware, also referred to as PlayCrypt, is a ransomware that first emerged in June 2022. This ransomware has targeted a broad spectrum of businesses and critical infrastructure across North America, South America, and Europe, affecting approximately 300 entities by October 2023. Play Ransomware typically gains access to networks through compromised valid accounts or by exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities, such as those in Fortinet SSL VPNs. Once inside, it employs techniques like using living-off-the-land binaries (LOLBins) for tasks such as data exfiltration and credential theft.
• Blackbasta – BlackBasta ransomware was first observed in 2022 and operates as ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS). The threat actors behind it mostly targets organizations and individuals by exploiting RDP vulnerabilities and phishing emails to deliver the ransomware.

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Preview: Star Trek: Discovery 503 “Janaal”

Following up on last week’s two-episode premiere, Star Trek: Discovery returns for the third installment of its fifth and final season with “Janaal.” The episode is written by Kyle Jarrow & Lauren Wilkinson and directed by Andi Armaganian .

Today, we have a clip along with seven new photos from the episode — featuring Keith Rennie as Rayner, Mary Wiseman as Tilly, Wilson Cruz as Culber, Tara Rosling as President T’Rina, Doug Jones as Saru, Blu del Barrio as Adira and Ian Alexander as Gray Til.

You can check out the new photos below. Please be aware of some minor spoilers.

Official description:

On Trill, Captain Burnham, Book, and Culber must pass a dangerous test to prove themselves worthy of the next clue. Adira reconnects with Gray and Saru’s first day as ambassador is complicated by his engagement to T’Rina.

Star Trek: Discovery season 5 castmembers include Sonequa Martin-Green (Captain Michael Burnham), Doug Jones (Saru), Anthony Rapp (Paul Stamets), Mary Wiseman (Sylvia Tilly), Wilson Cruz (Dr. Hugh Culber), David Ajala (Cleveland “Book” Booker), Blu del Barrio (Adira) and Callum Keith Rennie (Rayner). Season five also features recurring guest stars Elias Toufexis (L’ak) and Eve Harlow (Moll).

Stay tuned to TrekNews.net for all the latest news on Star Trek: Discovery , Star Trek: Prodigy , Star Trek: Strange New Worlds , Star Trek: Picard , Star Trek: Lower Decks, and more.

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‘Star Trek: Discovery’ S5 Review: Final Season Is Its Best

This season has a brisk pace and the sense of fun that in the past has been crushed under the weight of grave galactic stakes..

Star Trek: Discovery occupies an interesting place in the celebrated franchise. It was the first Trek series of the streaming era, the first to debut behind a paywall, the first produced after J.J. Abrams’ big screen reboot, and the first to put a woman of color in the captain’s chair. Discovery redefined the look and feel of the franchise on television, bringing Trek into the modern world of feature-level photography, effects, and pace of story. It blazed a trail for a new generation of Trek media, like direct spin-off Strange New Worlds and the upcoming Section 31 TV movie. It is also not terribly popular amidst the old guard of Trekkies, nor is it a mainstream hit or a critical darling. Discovery has struggled to find its footing from the very beginning and is still uneven after years of retooling. I do not consider its cancellation after five seasons to be a tragic loss for television. However, Discovery may still have one “first” left to achieve: It may be the first Star Trek series whose final season is its best. 

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(A quick personal note to the handful of Trekkies who just clutched their pearls: Season 4 of Enterprise is not better than Season 3, it merely has more familiar stuff for fans to point at with childlike glee. And you’ve likely already read my thoughts on Picard ’s final season .)

Even as a critic of the show, I have to acknowledge that every season of Discovery has started with a bang. It’s the nature of a serialized, season-long story arc to kick off with something resembling the first act of a feature film, and Season 5 is no different. The opening chapter, “Red Directive,” is a fast-paced space adventure packed with flashy action set pieces. The illustrious Captain Michael Burnham ( Sonequa Martin-Green ) and her crew are on the trail of Moll (Eve Harlow) and L’ak (Elias Toufexis), a spacefaring Bonnie and Clyde who have stumbled across a secret with enormous implications for the future of the galaxy. Just like the previous three seasons, this sets Team Disco off on another cosmic scavenger hunt, jumping to a new world each week to find the next clue to the season’s grander mystery. 

Historically, this is where Discovery has run into trouble. While each chapter tends to have its own contained adventure plot or even a classic Trek “message of the week,” they’re rarely that memorable and they advance the season’s overarching storyline without adding much depth. This season, though, has a brisk pace and a sense of fun that, previously, has been crushed under the weight of grave galactic stakes. Paramount has promoted this season as having an Indiana Jones energy to it , and that’s a fair comparison. The characters are enjoying themselves more, and for the first time since Season 2, the story isn’t built around some unfathomable tragedy. T o my best recollection, none of the episodes provided in advance to critics feature any crying. That’s four consecutive episodes, possibly a new track record.

This is not the only way in which Discovery ’s new season throttles back on the show’s occasionally cloying sentimentality. The season premiere introduces a new character, Captain Rayner ( Callum Keith Rennie ), a gruff pragmatist who serves as a contrast to Burnham’s soft-spoken, personable, firmly feminine command style. At first, Rayner appears to be a straw man representing aggro, entitled white male authority, a trope Discovery goes to often. As the season progresses, Rayner acquires some depth and even some likability. It’s fun to watch this grumpy old guy interact with a cast full of characters who are totally in touch with their feelings. Most importantly, Rayner provides something that the series has needed ever since Burnham took command of Discovery: a professional peer with whom to disagree and occasionally compromise. It’s an essential role that her first officer, Saru ( Doug Jones ), has become too adoring and loyal to play. Burnham has earned the devotion of her crew, but watching her gracefully manage dissent only enhances her aura of strength and leadership.

Even though production was wrapped before Discovery was canceled (with additional shooting after that announcement to tie up loose ends), Season Five feels like a finale from the very beginning. A few characters are moving on with their lives, pursuing new interests and relationships. There are more fun, non-intrusive callbacks to Treks past than in the last two seasons, which makes it feel a bit like a victory lap for the streaming era’s flagship show. Above all, there is a sense of ease, as if the cast and crew have finally got their engine running smoothly and can cruise to the finish line. It’s the energy a series possesses at its peak, a point to which fans will often look back and say “They probably should have stopped there.” Barring a significant misstep in its final six episodes, Star Trek: Discovery will never be past its prime, and that’s a distinction its creators can wear with pride. 

• SEE ALSO : How Opera’s Crisis Can Become an Opera Renaissance

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Man charged in death of North Country 'Star Trek,' tour guide, Elvis impersonator

A Ticonderoga man known for his work as an Elvis Presley and as a tour guide for a local "Star Trek" museum was found dead in Saratoga County after he went missing last weekend.

Thomas Krider, who worked under the stage name TJ Greene, was a popular impersonator who also worked at the Star Trek Tour as a guide.

The Saratoga County Sheriff's Office reported on Tuesday that Krider had been found dead in Milton, New York, after he was reported missing by his wife on Saturday morning, according to the Times Union.

On Tuesday, the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office said they had arrested 69-year-old Ronald Rayher, of Milton, on charges of second-degree manslaughter and tampering with physical evidence.

The sheriff's office said Rayher allegedly killed Krider at his home in Milton on April 5. They said Rayher administered a substance called chloroform more than once and also allegedly tampered with and suppressed evidence after the incident.

Krider's wife, Heidi Greene, told the Times Union that her husband had left their home on Friday to pick up a free box spring from someone in exchange for helping them move some furniture.

Greene said Krider was supposed to return home to work a shift as a tour guide at his job at Star Trek Tour that weekend, as well as to work for a special event during the solar eclipse, but wasn't heard from again.

He loved his job too much to ever miss a shift, Greene told the Times Union.

Greene told the Times Union that she and Krider were both Poultney residents who had met nearly 20 years ago while working at the Rutland, Vermont, Walmart. They moved to the Glens Falls area soon after, where Krider worked as a costumed character at Six Flags Great Escape.

However, The Saratoga County Undersheriff Jeffrey Brown confirmed that Rayher and Krider had been in a relationship with one another for around 10 years.

James Cawley, of the Ticonderoga Star Trek Tour, released the following statement about Krider's death, saying in part:

"TJ Greene was an employee and tour guide at the Star Trek Set Tour and a great friend to everyone here. He was a talented Elvis tribute artist. He will be remembered for his kind and trusting soul and his warm, friendly demeanor. We are devastated by his loss and will keep him close to our hearts."

Rayher was arraigned in Milton Town Court and remanded to the Saratoga County Jail.

The sheriff's department confirmed that more charges could be coming since this is an ongoing investigation.

Editor's note: The Times Union is owned by NBC5's parent company, Hearst Corporation.

An earlier version of this story stated that Krider also acted as a "Star Trek" impersonator.

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Why ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Built Season 5 Around a Classic Episode From a Legacy Series

By Adam B. Vary

Adam B. Vary

Senior Entertainment Writer

• Why ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Built Season 5 Around a Classic Episode From a Legacy Series 6 days ago
• ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Star Sonequa Martin-Green on the Show’s Unexpected Final Season, the ‘Pressure’ of Representation and Taking the ‘Trek’ Cruise 1 week ago
• Jerrod Carmichael Was Terrified of Being Seen, So He Made a Reality Show: ‘This May Be Unhealthy. It Is a Little Dangerous’ 2 weeks ago

SPOILER ALERT: This story discusses major plot developments in Season 5, Episode 1 of “ Star Trek : Discovery,” now streaming on Paramount+.

By the end of the episode, however, the mission has pushed Burnham and her crew to their limits, including slamming the USS Discovery into the path of a massive landslide threatening a nearby city. Before they risk their lives any further pursuing this object, Burnham demands that Kovich at least tell her why. (MAJOR SPOILERS FOLLOW.)

Kovich’s explanation evokes the classic “ Star Trek: The Next Generation ” episode “The Chase” from 1993 in which Capt. Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) — along with teams of Romulans, Klingons and Cardassians — learn that all humanoid life in the galaxy was created by a single species that existed billions of years earlier, and seeded thousands of planets with the DNA to pass along their legacy. (Along with presenting a profound vision of the origins of life, the episode also provided an imaginative explanation for why almost all the aliens in “Star Trek” basically look like humans with different kinds of forehead ridges.)

Kovich tells Burnham that the Romulan scientist was part of a team sent to discover exactly how these aliens — whom they call the Progenitors — made this happen; the object they’re seeking winds up being one part of a brand new “chase,” this time in the 32nd century, to find the Progenitors’ technology before it can fall into the wrong hands. 

“I remember watching that episode and at the end of it just being blown away that there was this huge idea where we all come from,” Paradise says. “And then they’re going to have another mission the next week. I found myself wondering, ‘Well, then what? What happened? What do we do with this information? What does it mean?’”

Originally, Paradise says the “Discovery” writers’ room discussed evoking the Progenitors in Season 4, when the Discovery meets an alien species, the 10-C, who live outside of the galaxy and are as radically different from humans as one could imagine. “As we dug deeper into the season itself, we realized that it was too much to try and get in,” Paradise says.

Instead, they made the Progenitors the engine for Season 5. “Burnham and some of our other characters are on this quest for personal meaning,” Paradise says. Searching for the origins of life itself, she adds, “feels like a big thematic idea that fits right in with what we’re exploring over the course of the season, and what our characters are going through.”

That meant that Paradise finally got to help come up with the answers to the questions about “The Chase” that had preoccupied her when she was younger. “We had a lot of fun talking about what might’ve happened when [Picard] called back to headquarters and had to say, ‘Here’s what happened today,’” she says. “We just built the story out from there.”

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TSA testing language translation-interpretation devices at JFK International Airport checkpoints

NEW YORK—Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are field testing the use of new hand-held language translation-interpretation devices in an effort to support a more positive security checkpoint experience for individuals who are limited English proficient, international travelers and individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing or who are blind or have low vision.

The goal of this field test is to allow TSA to evaluate the viability of these devices by assessing the ease and effectiveness of use and its impact on checkpoint operations.

“We hope that this will turn out to be a valuable tool for our officers to provide guidance to passengers who might not speak English,” explained John Essig, TSA’s Federal Security Director for John F. Kennedy International Airport. “For example, it will help us to explain in the language that the traveler understands, that we may need to open a carry-on bag for a search.”

The device is smaller than a mobile phone and contains a library of 83 languages. A TSA officer or a traveler can speak into the device and it will translate the message into the language that is selected. The device will audibly repeat the message into the chosen language for the traveler and it will appear on the screen for travelers to read if they are deaf or hard of hearing.

TSA has deployed a handful of units to be used at checkpoints at JFK Airport. Since the rechargeable units work via Wi-Fi or data connection, they can easily be moved to any checkpoint lane where they are needed because they do not need to be tethered to an electrical outlet. “That agility is extremely valuable to us,” Essig explained.

In the short time that the units have been in use, TSA has seen the benefits of the units as well as a few challenges, such as the use of colloquialisms. For example, the term “pat-down” does not translate accurately into all languages and instead TSA officers may need to use different words to explain that a pat-down needs to take place.

TSA can pre-program common advisements that TSA officers use in typical checkpoint conversations. The device can keep up to 10,000 translations that are “favorites” and commonly used. Software updates can be downloaded to add languages and words to the vocabulary library. Some foreign languages have specific dialects and other nuances. For example, the units distinguish four types of Spanish--that spoken in Spain, Argentina, Columbia and the United States.

Checkpoints can be noisy places and as a result, TSA officials have learned that enunciating words into the device is important. For example, the unit may mistakenly translate the words “your coat” into “you’re a coat.” It is this type of information that TSA is gathering to help determine how to work around the ambient noise issues of a checkpoint.

“The field testing of these units is one step that we are taking to improve our communication with a broader traveling population and further enhance the customer experience,” explained Jose Bonilla, TSA’s Executive Director of the agency’s Traveler Engagement Division. “The results of this field test will allow us to evaluate the viability of a small, stand-alone communication device at our checkpoints by assessing the ease and effectiveness of use and its impact on checkpoint operations.”

“This has potential to be a game-changer for travelers who are not fluent in English who come to our checkpoints,” Essig said. “It will ease their travel experience. Already we are seeing a positive impact.”

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‘Star Trek’ Fan Leaves Behind a Collection Like No One Has Done Before

When Troy Nelson died, his shelves were filled to the rafters with memorabilia from the popular franchise. Soon, the massive collection will be boldly going, going, gone.

Evan Browne said her brother Troy’s love of “Star Trek” began with the original series, which he and his siblings watched at dinnertime. Credit... Connie Aramaki for The New York Times

Supported by

By Sopan Deb

• Published April 1, 2024 Updated April 3, 2024

Editors’ Note, April 2, 2024: After publication, The Times learned that Troy and Andrew Nelson were named in a civil lawsuit filed in Pierce County Superior Court in 1998, in which they were accused of molesting three disabled adults in a state-licensed facility that they operated. After a six-week jury trial, Washington State was ordered to pay $17.8 million to the plaintiffs. The state said it intended to appeal but missed the deadline and paid the victims. The Nelson brothers denied the allegations and were never criminally charged.

Troy Nelson and his younger brother Andrew were almost inseparable.

The two youngest of six, they were born two years apart. They lived together in their childhood home in Bremerton, Wash., for more than half a century. Near their home, there is a park bench on which they carved their initials as young boys.

The Nelson brothers never married or had children. They worked together at the same senior home. They even once, as teenagers, dated the same girl at the same time while working different shifts at the same pizza shop. This lasted a week until they realized it.

“Two parts of one body,” Evan Browne, their older sister, said of their relationship in an interview.

On Feb. 28, Andrew Nelson, who had been treated for cancer for years, went to feed the chickens and ducks that were gifts from Ms. Browne to her brothers. He had a heart attack and died. He was 55. Just hours later, Troy Nelson, who was stricken with grief, took his own life. He was 57.

“He had talked about it before,” Browne, 66, said, tearfully. “He said, ‘Hey, if Andrew goes, I’m out of here. I’m checking out.’ Andrew would say the same thing, and then it really happened .”

What Troy Nelson left behind has become a sensation. After his death, family members posted pictures on social media of his massive — and, really, the keyword is massive — collection of “Star Trek” memorabilia, which have now been shared thousands of times.

The items took up two living rooms and a bedroom, all lined with bookshelves, according to Elena Hamel, one of the brothers’ nieces. The centers of the rooms were lined with additional bookshelves — all packed to the brim — to create aisles. There were jewelry cabinets serving as display cases.

The shelves contained action figures. Dolls. Models of ships. Posters. Ornaments. Lunchboxes. Legos. Several toy phasers and tricorders. (For non-Trek fans, the phaser is a weapon, and a tricorder is, essentially, a fancy smartphone.) Multiple “Star Trek” lamps. (Yes, there are “Star Trek” lamps.) Trading cards. Comic books. Trek-themed Geeki Tikis (stylized tiki mugs). Life-size cutouts of famous characters. A life-size captain’s chair.

While it’s impossible to account for every private collector in the world, Troy Nelson’s collection is almost assuredly among the largest — if not the largest.

The last additions to the collection came in the final weeks of his life: Stuffed rabbits in “Star Trek” uniforms. “I’ve never seen a collection that size,” said Russ Haslage, the president of the International Federation of Trekkers , a “Star Trek”-themed nonprofit that Haslage founded with Gene Roddenberry, the creator of the franchise.

Haslage’s organization opened in 2020 a “Star Trek” museum in Sandusky, Ohio, that has received donations of memorabilia from estates. Those collections “pale in comparison” to Mr. Nelson’s, he said. (Haslage has reached out to the family to ask about donations from the collection.)

The older brother’s love of “Star Trek” began with the original series, which he’d watch with his siblings.

“It was our dinner meal,” Ms. Browne said. “When we had dinner, we were sitting in front of ‘Star Trek.’”

Troy Nelson began collecting in the late-1970s. His first acquisition was a model version of the Starship Enterprise. Then came Star Trek conventions. Why the franchise was such a draw to him remains a mystery to his family.

“I really can’t say. I mean, other than the fact that he was brainwashed with it at dinner time,” Browne said, laughing. “That sounds ridiculous. When we grew up, it’s like, ‘Dinner is at this time. And if you don’t get here at this time, you don’t get dinner.’ So it might’ve been a comfort for him .”

Troy Nelson would often monitor sites like eBay for items he didn’t have. On several occasions, he would express frustration on losing out on an item before being able to bid on it. Until he found out the reason.

“Andrew already got it for him,” Ms. Browne recalled.

Obsessive “Star Trek” fandom has long become an indelible part of pop culture, especially as the franchise — which has spawned several television series, movies, novels and comics — has been a long-running institution. There have been documentaries that have studied the subject, such as “Trekkies” in 1997. It’s been lampooned on “The Simpsons,” “Saturday Night Live” and “Family Guy,” and become a story line in an episode of “The West Wing,” among many others. For dedicated fans, accruing collectibles isn’t uncommon.

“When you collect these things, you’re closer to that genre that you enjoy so much,” Haslage said. “When I first started in 1979, I was grabbing everything I could get my hands on because it was cool, and it was a piece of the whole ‘Star Trek’ mythos. If you have these pieces, you’re a part of that universe in some way.”

It turns out that collecting is a pursuit that runs in the family.

Andrew Nelson collected mall swords, Ryobi-branded tools and statues of warrior women, like Xena, the warrior princess .

Browne’s house has a wall with thousands of smashed pennies and her living room windows are full of glass sugar and creamer bowls.

Browne’s father, Bud Peers, collected salt and pepper shakers, guns and knives. Troy and Andrew’s father, Norman Nelson, collected scrap metal and wood.

Hamel has 17 Christmas trees, all fully decorated with separate themes.

Browne’s son, Michael, who is 36, collects anything and everything related to black bears.

“ When you have a large collection like that and it’s displayed like that,” Hamel said, “and it’s something that is important to you, it’s often really calming to be in a space like that. It’s just all the things that you love. It’s soothing.”

As far as Browne knew, Troy had no history of mental illness or any previous suicide attempts. After Andrew died, she received a distraught and frantic call from Troy with the news. She told him that she was on her way.

Ms. Browne said she called him when she got to the Tacoma Bridge. No answer. And then again, at the Manette Bridge. No answer. When she reached their home, the back door was open. And then she found him. The phone call was the last time they spoke.

Troy Nelson did not leave a note, but did leave some things meticulously arranged by his computer, including a key to the house, burial plans for the two brothers, and bills.

“ I don’t know really what I thought,” Ms. Browne said. “All I could do was just scream.”

The Nelson family is boxing up Troy’s “Star Trek” collection to prepare it for auction. Andrew’s ashes will be placed in an urn carved in the likeness of the supermodel Bettie Page . (He was a fan.) Troy’s ashes will be placed in a “Star Trek” lunchbox.

If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources.

Sopan Deb is a Times reporter covering breaking news and culture. More about Sopan Deb

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Man Charged In Death Of Elvis Impersonator TJ Greene

This story has been updated.

Ronald Rayher (left) is charged with manslaughter in the death of popular Elvis and “Star Trek” impersonator, Thomas Krider, also known as TJ Greene.

Tributes are pouring in after a popular Elvis and “Star Trek” impersonator was found dead at a home in the region days after going missing.

Saratoga County Sheriff’s officials said Thomas Krider, age 40, of Ticonderoga in Essex County, was found dead at a residence in Milton on Middle Line Road on Tuesday, April 9.

Krider, who performed as an Elvis tribute artist under the stage name TJ Greene, had last been seen on Friday, April 5, and was officially reported missing the following day.

An investigation determined that 69-year-old Ronald Rayher, of Milton, “recklessly caused” Krider’s death inside Rayher’s home, sheriff's officials said. 

Rayher allegedly restrained and binded Krider before administering chloroform during a "consensual" encounter between the two, NewsChannel 13 reported , citing court documents and statements from Saratoga County Undersheriff Jeff Brown.

Rayher and Krider had a close relationship for over 10 years and the death does not appear to be intentional, Brown told the outlet.

An official cause of death will come from the Saratoga County Coroner’s office.

Rayher was arrested on suspicion of second-degree manslaughter and tampering with physical evidence after it was determined that he disturbed and suppressed evidence after Krider’s death, according to police.

He was arraigned in the Milton Town Court and was held at the Saratoga County jail in lieu of bail.

Meanwhile, social media has been flooded with tributes to Krider, who also worked as a tour guide at the Star Trek Original Set Tour in Ticonderoga.

“TJ was one of the most genuinely kind people I've ever known,” Emmalee Stark wrote on Facebook . “Everything he did was led with love in his heart, and he had such a joy for everything he did, whether that was hanging out with the timber town crew or belting out an Elvis tune.”

Brianna Schaefer, who created a GoFundMe campaign to help Krider’s wife with memorial expenses, remembered him as “the most kind, loving, and generous person that many of us have ever met.”

“TJ was a talented performer, whether he was wearing sequins as Elvis, or whether he was guiding a Star Trek tour. He brought his compassion and energy to every performance and he touched many lives,” she said. 

“The multitude of condolences showing up on social media speak to just how many people loved him.”

Those who wish to donate can do so here .

This continues to be a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.

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