Trek Checkpoint SLR 9 eTap

Welcome to Trek’s flagship of their gravel/adventure line: The Checkpoint SLR 9 eTap.

This is a gravel bike with every detail obsessed over. From its featherlight frame to the 12-speed electronic drivetrain to the state of the art components, the Checkpoint SLR 9 eTap is ready for the longest adventures and the toughest races.

The Checkpoint SLR’s frameset is produced with Trek’s 700 Series OCLV carbon fiber. Trek’s first bike to use this particular carbon fiber “recipe” was the Emonda SLR meant for dominating Tour de France mountain stages. The Checkpoint SLR’s design emphasizes stability on rough surfaces, as well as a smooth feel for keeping the rider fresher on exhausting races and expeditions. The Checkpoint’s geometry is new for 2022, thanks to a new longer top tube. Called “progressive geometry” in mountain bike circles, the design moves the front wheel out slightly, improving handling on technical and crumbly descents. A correspondingly shorter stem and short-reach handlebar keeps the cockpit fit identical to previous designs. At the seat tube/top tube juncture is a patented IsoSpeed decoupler that soaks up vibrations and harsh impacts. It boasts an integrated damper, preventing the IsoSpeed decoupler from bouncing you around on washboard surfaces. Up front, a tapered head tube anchors the Checkpoint carbon fiber fork, ensuring razor sharp handling. A storage compartment in the down tube hides a tire repair kit. Mounts for bottles and integrated frame bags allow the rider to prepare for day (or multi-day) long excursions. If you need really wide tires, the Checkpoint SLR 9 will take rubber up to 45mm wide.

The Checkpoint SLR 9 eTap’s drivetrain is right in the name: SRAM Red eTap AXS. SRAM’s state-of-the-art wireless electronic shifting delivers perfect gear changes.Every. Single. Time. The rechargeable battery will run for up to 500 miles between charges. The charge level of the battery can be read using SRAM's smartphone app so there's no guesswork. The SRAM Red AXS dual control levers can also be set up with the app for righties or lefties, too. 12 speeds across the rear cassette allows for a massive gearing range; perfect for challenging courses and mountainous terrain. The Red AXS rear derailleur is SRAM’s XPLR version, allowing a cassette with up to a 44T large cog. A SRAM 10-44T cassette is paired with a carbon fiber SRAM Red AXS crankset, complete with a 40T single chainring. There’s also an integrated SRAM power meter in the crankset.Cool, huh?

The Checkpoint SLR 9's Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37V wheels are state of the art rolling stock. The OCLV carbon fiber rim features a 25mm interior width, allowing tires to present a wide "footprint" on dirt, gravel and sand. A 37mm profile helps to slice through headwinds, while butted and bladed DT Aerolite stainless steel spokes bring reliability to every mile. The Aeolus RSL 37V's are tubeless, allowing the use of gravel-ready rubber like the supplied Bontrager GR1 Team Issue 700x40c tubeless gravel tires. Built around a set of ultralight DT Swiss 240 hubs, complete with a Ratchet EXP freehub, The Aeolus RSL 37V wheels might be some of the best gravel wheels made today. Flat-mount SRAM Red hydraulic disc brakes add confident stopping power in all conditions, rain or shine.

The Checkpoint SLR 9's cockpit is also adventure ready. Bontrager's OCLV carbon fiber Pro IsoCore VR-SF handlebars soak up fatiguing vibration, thanks to a clever layered construction. IsoZone EVA pads under the handlebar tape improve comfort further. A slightly flared 4 degree drop keeps hands and wrists comfortable. They'll take aero bars if you plan to race into headwinds all day. An accessory-ready Bontrager RSL carbon fiber stem helps keep the front end light. A Bontrager Verse Pro saddle with a carbon fiber shell and carbon fiber rails sits atop the IsoSpeed seat mast, completing this category leading bike.

A SRAM eTap AXS battery charger and internal storage bag is included with the purchase of this bicycle.