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The Trek Checkpoint ALR 4 Gen 3 pairs an Alpha 300 Series aluminium frame and a carbon fork with a Shimano CUES 1x11 drivetrain with an 11-50 cassette and hydraulic disc brakes, weighing 10.40 kg in size ML. It is the ALR with the biggest sprocket in the range. Its Living Coral colour is a vivid coral, between pink and orange, that can be spotted from afar.
| Frame | Alpha 300 Series aluminium, internal cable routing, 3S chain keeper, threaded T47 bottom bracket, UDH hanger, tyres up to 50 mm |
| Fork | Trek Checkpoint full carbon, tapered steerer, rack and mudguard mounts, Flat Mount, 12x100 mm thru-axle |
| Drivetrain | Shimano CUES 1x11 Linkglide, U8000 rear derailleur, 40T chainring, LG700 11-50 cassette |
| Brakes | Shimano CUES hydraulic Flat Mount, Shimano RT54 160 mm Centerlock rotors |
| Wheels / tyres | Bontrager Paradigm 23 Tubeless Ready rims, Bontrager Centerlock hubs / 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 mm / Bontrager 27.2 mm aluminium seatpost |
| Weight | 10.40 kg in size ML (Trek figure) |
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At a glance
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For the touring cyclist who sets off loaded, with front and rear panniers, and for whom ease on the climbs matters more than speed. It also suits the less trained cyclist who wants to tackle hilly tracks without apprehension.
Alpha aluminium, Trek's expertise. Trek reserves the Alpha name for its in-house aluminium, and the 300 Series for the most refined of them. Shaped by hydroforming, the tubes change diameter and wall thickness where the frame works hardest, and the welds are finished for a clean look. On the Checkpoint ALR 4, this 1,878 g painted frame in size M takes a rack, mudguards, bags and the 3S chain keeper.
| Alpha 300 (Checkpoint ALR) | OCLV 500 (Checkpoint SL) | OCLV 800 (Checkmate SLR) | |
| Level | Trek's best aluminium | Entry carbon, adventure version | Carbon honed for racing |
| Construction | Hydroformed tubes, finished welds | Hot OCLV compaction | Finer OCLV, aero shapes |
| Frame (painted) | 1,878 g (M) | 1,385 g (ML) | 1,146 g (ML) |
| What it means | Takes knocks, controlled cost | Lighter, with IsoSpeed and hatch | Less room for luggage |
In short: the ALR 4 keeps the same frame as the ALR 3 and puts everything into braking and drivetrain. The hydraulic brakes need less effort and less frequent adjustment, and the 11-50 cassette gives a very low gear; the weight barely changes, 10.40 kg in ML.
The 50-tooth sprocket paired with the 40-tooth chainring gives a ratio below one to one: with each pedal stroke, the wheel turns less than once. With a loaded bike on the climbs towards the Caroux, this gearing lets you keep a reasonable cadence where an 11-44 would force you to grind.
The Shimano CUES hydraulic brakes modulate power better than a mechanical brake, with reduced lever effort, which is reassuring on descents with a bike loaded with panniers. The 160 mm RT54 rotors wear slowly and are easy to replace.
| Model | Frame | Drivetrain | Wheels | Weight (ML) |
| Checkpoint ALR 3 | Alpha 300 alloy | Shimano CUES 1x10, mechanical brakes | Aluminium Paradigm 23 | 10.41 kg |
| Checkpoint ALR 4 | Alpha 300 alloy | Shimano CUES 1x11, hydraulic brakes | Aluminium Paradigm 23 | 10.40 kg |
| 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 |
Our take: compared with the ALR 3, the ALR 4 gains hydraulic brakes and an extra gear, for the same weight. The ALR 5 is 530 g lighter, but its 11-44 cassette is less forgiving for loaded touring.
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LVR sizing advice If you are between two sizes, go for the smaller one if you load the front of the bike heavily, as it remains easier to handle; the larger one is more comfortable for riders with a long torso. Cranks, handlebar and stem vary with size.
Source: Trek size guide. Bike fitting available in our Béziers shop. |
| Enough top gear on the road? | The 40x11 is more than enough for a good pace on the road when touring. |
| Front rack possible? | Yes, the carbon fork has the necessary mounts. |
| Maintaining hydraulic brakes? | An occasional bleed, which we carry out in our workshop. |
| Is the coral too loud? | That is precisely a visibility advantage on the road and in the forest. |
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The LVR Cycles verdict The easiest-climbing ALR, perfect for touring loaded in complete safety thanks to its hydraulic brakes. Its vivid coral also boosts your visibility.
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Why buy from LVR Cycles? In Béziers, we help you prepare your Checkpoint for touring: rack, bags, brake bleed and a full check before you set off.
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