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Designed for loaded adventure, the Trek Checkpoint SL 5 AXS Gen 3 combines an OCLV 500 Series carbon frame packed with mounts, a down tube storage hatch and the wireless SRAM Apex XPLR AXS drivetrain, weighing 9.50 kg in size ML. Racks, mudguards and frame bags attach to inserts provided from the factory. The Lava/Black Olive finish pairs a warm lava red with an almost black olive green.
| Frame | OCLV 500 Series carbon, IsoSpeed, down tube storage hatch, threaded T47 bottom bracket, UDH hanger, tyres up to 50 mm |
| Fork | Checkpoint full carbon, tapered steerer, mudguard and rack mounts, Flat Mount, 12x100 mm thru-axle |
| Drivetrain | Wireless SRAM Apex XPLR eTap AXS 1x12, 40T chainring, PG-1231 11-44 cassette |
| Brakes | Flat Mount hydraulic discs, SRAM Paceline 160 mm Centerlock rotors |
| Wheels / tyres | Bontrager Paradigm SL aluminium Tubeless Ready / Bontrager Girona Pro 700x42 mm Tubeless Ready, GR protection |
| Cockpit | Bontrager Elite Gravel alloy handlebar, Blendr-compatible Bontrager Elite stem |
| Saddle / seatpost | Verse Short Comp 145 or 155 mm depending on size / Bontrager 27.2 mm carbon seatpost |
| Weight | 9.50 kg in size ML (Trek figure) |
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At a glance
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For the cyclist dreaming of bikepacking, self-supported weekends or multi-day crossings, who wants a bike able to carry their kit while staying enjoyable unloaded the rest of the year. It will also appeal to the traveller who prefers a carbon frame to save weight on a bike that is already loaded.
OCLV carbon, Trek's signature. Since 1992, Trek has cured its fibre sheets under pressure and at high temperature to drive out micro-voids, the bubbles that weaken a frame. The higher the series number, the more optimised the lay-up and the less material is needed for a given stiffness. The Checkpoint SL 5 AXS uses OCLV 500 Series: 1,385 g for the painted frame in ML and 536 g for the fork, with Trek's lifetime warranty on the frame.
| OCLV 500 (Checkpoint SL) | OCLV 800 (Checkmate SLR) | Alpha 300 (Checkpoint ALR) | |
| Level | Trek's entry carbon, adventure version | Race gravel carbon | Trek's premium aluminium |
| Construction | OCLV process, generous lay-up | OCLV process, finer lay-up | Hydroformed tubes, neat welds |
| Frame (painted) | 1,385 g in ML + fork 536 g | 1,146 g in ML + fork 415 g | 1,878 g in M |
| What it means | Robust, plenty of mounts, IsoSpeed | Lighter and more aero, less luggage | Heavier, gentler on the budget |
In short: compared with the aluminium Checkpoint ALR 5, the SL 5 AXS is 370 g lighter in size ML and gains IsoSpeed, the storage hatch and wireless shifting. The Checkmate's OCLV 800 carbon is aimed at a different rider, one who races rather than one who sets off loaded.
The down tube hatch holds an inner tube, tyre levers and a multi-tool, freeing up the saddle bag for rain gear or food. The fork has triple mounts on each side for cargo cages, and the frame has inserts for a top tube bag: the load is spread low and central, which keeps the handling sound.
A loaded bike calls for low gears: the 40x44 remains fine for climbing the Espinouse tracks with bags, provided you accept a low cadence. We recommend setting off tubeless on the 42 mm Girona Pro tyres, or moving to 45-50 mm for the roughest tracks of the Haut-Languedoc.
| Model | Frame | Drivetrain | Wheels | Weight (ML) |
| Checkpoint ALR 5 | Alpha 300 alloy | Mechanical SRAM Apex XPLR 1x12 | Aluminium Paradigm 23 | 9.87 kg |
| Checkpoint SL 5 AXS | OCLV 500 | Wireless SRAM Apex XPLR AXS 1x12 | Aluminium Paradigm SL | 9.50 kg |
| Checkpoint SL 6 AXS | OCLV 500 | Wireless SRAM Rival XPLR AXS 1x13 | Aluminium Paradigm Comp 25 | 9.49 kg |
| Checkpoint SL 7 AXS | OCLV 500 | Wireless SRAM Force XPLR AXS 1x13 | Carbon Aeolus Elite 35V | 9.33 kg |
Our take: for touring, this SL 5 AXS offers the same mounts as the SL 7 AXS for 170 g more in ML. If you want a lower gear, the SL 6 AXS and its 13-speed 10-46 cassette are better equipped.
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LVR sizing advice If you are between two sizes, choose the smaller one for nimble handling on narrow trails, the larger one if you mainly ride wide tracks and long distances. Handlebar width, stem length and saddle width change with the size.
Source: Trek size guide. Bike fitting available in our Béziers shop. |
| What goes in the hatch? | An inner tube, a multi-tool and tyre levers: everything for a repair without a saddle bag. |
| Rack possible? | Yes, mounts are provided on the frame, with triple mounts on the fork. |
| Wider tyres for touring? | Yes, up to 50 mm according to Trek's measurements, compared with 42 mm as standard. |
| Does the colour show the dirt? | The lava red and dark olive green hide trail dust well. |
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The LVR Cycles verdict A carbon Checkpoint ready for bikepacking straight out of the workshop, thanks to its hatch and many mounts. The lava red and olive green suit an adventure bike perfectly.
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Why buy from LVR Cycles? In Béziers, we help you choose and fit your bags, set the Checkpoint up tubeless and service your bike before a big trip.
Please note that the specifications may be changed without prior notice by the manufacturer, based on the availability of components and other factors.
Data sheet
Specific References