Trek Checkmate SLR: The 1st race gravel bike from Trek - fast, light & exclusive

Word had already got around among gravel fans: Trek has a new off-road bike in the pipeline. After all, at this year's Unbound some athletes from the Waterloo/Wisconsin brand were spotted on a model that was still unreleased at the time. Now it's out, the new Trek Checkmate SLR. The completely new platform replaces the Checkpoint SLR in the high-end segment. The adventure and touring gravel bike will in future "only" be available as a simpler and more affordable SL version, but with more comfort and a storage compartment.

Trek Checkmate SLR: The most important facts

• Weight of complete wheel: 7.6 kilos (SLR 9, size ML), 8.1 kilos (SLR 7, size ML)
• Frame weight: 1223 grams (size ML)
• Fork weight: 415 grams (size ML)
• Stack/Reach/STR: 584/399 millimetres/1.46
• Max. tyre clearance: 45 millimetres
• Frame sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
• Price: 8999 euros (SLR 7), 10,999 euros (SLR 9)

According to Trek, the new Checkmate is "the lightest and fastest gravel bike the brand has ever built". The top-of-the-range Trek Checkmate SLR 9 model is said to be around 450 grams lighter than the previous Checkpoint SLR 9, which was previously at the top of Trek's gravel portfolio. With a total weight of just 7.6 kilograms (size ML, manufacturer's specification), it would be one of the lightest gravel bikes on the market.

Trek still claims a light 8.1 kilograms for the 2000 euro cheaper SLR 7. There are currently only a few bikes in this weight class: the revised Specialized S-Works Crux is said to weigh 7.3 kilograms, the BMC Kaius 01 7.6 kilograms in the test conducted by our sister magazine TOUR and Canyon Grail CFR the scales stopped at 8.2 kilograms.

At the same time, Trek is launching the 3rd generation of the Checkpoint gravel bike - all the info: >> Off to adventure: The Trek Checkpoint gravel bike gets more space for luggage

With high-quality carbon fibres (800 OCLV) and top equipment, Trek has slimmed down the Checkmate to a remarkable weight, whereby the frame is not even particularly light at 1223 grams compared to the top competition. But the top-of-the-range Sram Red XPLR The Checkmate weighs around 400 grams less than the Shimano GRX Di2. The Checkmate also inherited the tube profiles and handlebar/stem unit from the recently launched Madone, which according to Trek has saved even more grams and provided additional aerodynamic advantages.

The Trek Checkmate should also get you to the finish line faster thanks to a lower and therefore more streamlined riding position. Although you were already sitting quite stretched out on the Checkpoint adventure road bike, a longer stem on the new Checkmate should elongate your upper body even more. As with the Madone, Trek specifies the size range in sizes from XS to XL. The medium frame size ML corresponds to the classic 56.

Because a certain degree of comfort is essential for speed chases over gravel tracks, the new Checkmate SLR also has the familiar Isospeed system. We know the joint between the top tube and seat tube from the Trek Procaliber Hardtails for years. And the fact that the system can effectively absorb shocks has been proven by our Practical tests already shown.

On road and gravel bikes, the effect is even more noticeable because the narrower tyres cushion less from the ground than the thick MTB knobbly tyres. As with comparable race gravel bikes, the tyres on the Trek Checkmate are relatively narrow, with a width of just 38 millimetres on the top model. The matching competition tyre is supplied by the in-house accessory specialist Bontrager with the likewise new Girona. A maximum of 45 millimetre tyres are possible.

Mounting points for light luggage are less important in gravel racing than on big adventure tours and have therefore been reduced to the bare essentials on the new Trek Checkmate SLR: Small bags from the revised Adventure collection can be screwed onto the top tube and into the frame triangle, and that's it.

Trek Checkmate SLR 2025: Price & features

The new Trek Checkmate SLR could be of particular interest to ambitious cyclists, as it promises a similarly agile riding experience as the Trek Checkmate SLR. Racing bikes for the road. If it weren't for the price. Both equipment variants are based on the fast road bikes and cost 8999 and 10,999 euros respectively. The fact that they cost less than the comparable discontinued Checkpoint models is only a small consolation.

Checkmate SLR 7 AXS

• Drive/gear shift: Sram Force XPLR (1x12; 42, 10-44 t.; Powermeter)
• Impellers: Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V (Carbon)
• Tyres: Bontrager GR1 Team Issue (40 mm)
• Price: 8999 Euro

Checkmate SLR 9 AXS

• Drive/gear shift: Sram Red XPLR (1x13; 42, 10-46 t.; Powermeter)
• Impellers: Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37V (Carbon)
• Tyres: Bontrager Girona RSL GR (38 mm)
• Price: 10,999 Euro

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