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Full-suspension carbon gravel bike Trek Check-OUT SL 5 GRX dark star/dark web 12-speed

Full-suspension carbon gravel bike Trek Check-OUT SL 5: 60 mm front, 55 mm rear, Shimano GRX 1x12, 11.97 kg

£4,218.78 Incl. Tax

Color

Black

Size

S
M
M / l
L
XL

Size charts

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Description
Product Details

Trek Check-OUT SL 5: the gravel bike that dares to take on trails

The Trek Check-OUT SL 5 is a full-suspension gravel bike in OCLV 500 Series carbon: 60 mm RockShox Rudy XL fork, 55 mm SIDluxe IsoStrut shock, Shimano GRX 1x12 drivetrain and 55 mm tyres, weighing 11.97 kg in size ML. It keeps a gravel bike's drop handlebar but takes on what a rigid bike avoids: roots, rock gardens, singletrack. Its Dark Star/Dark Web finish is a deep black with dark nuances, very understated.

Technical specifications

Frame	OCLV 500 Series carbon, 55 mm rear travel, integrated rack, frame bag mounts, threaded T47 bottom bracket, UDH hanger, 142x12 mm thru-axle
Suspension	RockShox Rudy XL Ultimate 60 mm fork (Race Day 2 damper, Solo Air spring, 12x100 mm thru-axle) / RockShox SIDluxe Ultimate 3P IsoStrut 55 mm shock
Drivetrain	Shimano GRX 1x12: RX610 38-tooth chainset, RX822 rear derailleur, Shimano XT M8200 10-51 cassette, XT chain
Brakes	Hydraulic disc brakes
Wheels / tyres	Bontrager Paradigm Comp 25 Tubeless Ready, Rapid Drive 108 rear hub / Bontrager Betasso RSL GX 700x55 mm Tubeless Ready
Cockpit	Bontrager GR Checkout handlebar (42 to 48 cm), Bontrager Elite -7° stem, Blendr-compatible
Saddle / seatpost	Verse Short Comp 145 mm / TranzX 100 mm dropper seatpost, internal cable actuation
Equipment	Checkout rear rack included
Weight	11.97 kg in size ML (Trek figure)

At a glance

✓ Full-suspension gravel, OCLV 500 carbon	✓ 60 mm Rudy XL fork, 55 mm rear
✓ Shimano GRX 1x12, 10-51 cassette	✓ 55 mm Betasso RSL tyres
✓ 100 mm dropper seatpost	✓ 11.97 kg in size ML

Who is it for?

For the gravel rider who always ends up leaving the track for the trail, the former mountain biker who wants to ride further without giving up on descending, or the bikepacker aiming for challenging, rocky routes.

The LVR workshop view

OCLV carbon, Trek's signature. OCLV refers to the method Trek has used since 1992: the fibre sheets are pressed and heated to eliminate trapped air, a source of weak points. The Check-OUT SL 5 gets the 500 Series, the same as the Checkpoint SL, a generously sized carbon built to absorb off-road impacts and the weight of luggage. The frame kit, shock included, weighs 2.40 kg in ML, and Trek's lifetime warranty covers the OCLV frame.

	OCLV 500 (Check-OUT SL)	OCLV 600 (Boone)	OCLV 800 (Checkmate SLR)
Level	The basis of Trek's gravel carbon	Intermediate level	Race gravel carbon
Construction	Generous lay-up, very tough	Slightly less material	Material optimised to the gram
Reference bike	Check-OUT SL 5: frame kit 2.40 kg (ML)	Boone 5: 8.50 kg (56)	Checkmate SLR: frame 1,146 g (ML)
What it means	Toughness for a loaded suspension bike	A compromise for cyclocross	Lightness and efficiency for racing

In short: on a suspension gravel bike, the weight lies mainly in the fork, the shock and the big tyres, not in the carbon. A higher-grade OCLV would save a few dozen grams on a bike of nearly 12 kg; OCLV 500 is therefore the logical choice for a bike that has to last on rough terrain.

The big innovation is the rear suspension integrated into the frame: the IsoStrut is a shock that itself acts as the seatstay, with 55 mm of travel. Combined with the 60 mm Rudy XL fork, it keeps the rear wheel in contact with the ground in the rock gardens of the Espinouse or the rutted descents of the Caroux, where a rigid gravel bike bounces around and tires your arms.

The Shimano “mullet” set-up pairs GRX controls with an XT 10-51 mountain bike cassette: with the 38-tooth chainring, you get a very low gear for climbing the Montagne Noire tracks fully loaded. The 55 mm Betasso tyres, set up tubeless, run at low pressure; the dropper seatpost clears the way on descents.

Which Trek gravel bike should you choose?

Model	Carbon	Drivetrain	Wheels	Weight (size)
Check-OUT SL 5	OCLV 500	Mechanical Shimano GRX 1x12	Aluminium Paradigm Comp 25	11.97 kg (ML)
Check-OUT SL 7 AXS	OCLV 500	Wireless SRAM AXS 1x12 (X0 Eagle)	Carbon Aeolus Pro 3V	11.28 kg (ML)
Checkpoint SL 7 AXS (rigid)	OCLV 500	SRAM Force XPLR AXS 1x13	Carbon Aeolus Elite 35V	9.33 kg (ML)
Checkmate SLR 7 AXS (race)	OCLV 800	SRAM Force XPLR AXS 1x13	Carbon Aeolus Pro 3V	8.47 kg (ML)

Our take: the Check-OUT SL 5 weighs 2.64 kg more than the rigid Checkpoint SL 7 AXS: that is the price of the suspension and the 55 mm tyres. The SL 7 AXS sheds 690 g with its carbon wheels and wireless shifting; the Checkmate SLR, at 8.47 kg, remains reserved for racing on fast tracks.

LVR sizing advice

The Check-OUT is sized like a mountain bike: if you are between two sizes, the smaller one gives a more agile bike on singletrack, the larger one more stability when loaded. The 100 mm dropper seatpost requires a carefully measured saddle height.

Size	S	M	ML	L	XL
Rider height (cm)	158-164	164-177	177-188	188-194	194-203
Inseam (cm)	74-77	77-83	83-88	88-91	91-95
Cranks (mm)	165	170	170	172.5	172.5
Handlebar (cm) / stem (mm)	42 / 60	44 / 60	46 / 70	46 / 70	48 / 80

Source: Trek size guide. Bike fitting available in our Béziers shop.

Your questions

A mountain bike with drop bars?	Not quite: the geometry remains that of a gravel bike, longer and faster than a cross-country mountain bike.
Riding on the road?	Yes, on linking sections, with the shock locked out; for mainly road use, the Checkpoint is better suited.
Going bikepacking?	Yes, integrated rack included and frame bag mounts.
Suspension servicing?	Regular servicing of the fork and shock, which we handle in our workshop.

The LVR Cycles verdict

A gravel bike that pushes back the limits of rideable terrain considerably, without becoming a mountain bike. The Dark Star black gives it an understated look that suits adventure and everyday riding alike.

Pros
+ Real front and rear suspension
+ Very easy 10-51 gearing
+ Integrated rack included

Cons
- 11.97 kg: heavy for a gravel bike
- Suspension servicing to plan for
- Slower than a rigid gravel bike on smooth tracks

Why buy from LVR Cycles? As a Trek dealer in Béziers, we build and set up your Check-OUT in our workshop: suspension pressure for your weight, tubeless set-up and dropper post adjustment before your first ride.

Please note that the specifications may be changed without prior notice by the manufacturer, based on the availability of components and other factors.

Reference TRK-5338108

Data sheet