Today, Trek launches its first electric gravel bike with the all-new Checkpoint+ SL. It combines the modern features and performance that riders already know and love about the versatile non-electric Checkpoint, and adds a pedal-assisted boost. With the lightweight TQ-HPR60 motor and a 360 Wh battery, it provides natural and quiet pedal-assistance up to 28 mph with a claimed range of up to 50 miles.
The new Checkpoint+ SL adds a dedicated gravel bike to Trek’s growing lineup of performance electric bikes. We’ve already seen the brand add TQ’s latest motors to the all-road Domane+ Carbon and Domane+ Aluminum, as well as the Fuel+ range of eMTBs. With the Checkpoint+ SL, riders now have electric options across all bike categories. Let’s check out the details of Trek’s first e-gravel bike.
Trek Checkpoint+ SL Details
The Checkpoint+ SL is essentially an electric version of the regular non-electric Checkpoint SL. As such, it closely mirrors that bike’s overall design, geometry, and features, just with the TQ-HPR60 motor and 360 Wh battery housed within the frame. It currently comes in Trek’s OCLV carbon frames only, with three complete build options to choose from.
The frame has modern clearance for tires up to 50 mm wide, is compatible with gravel suspension forks, and has routing for dropper posts. It also features Trek’s IsoSpeed design, a system intended to damp vibration at the rear of the bike to enhance rider comfort. The IsoSpeed design essentially decouples the seat tube from the rest of the frame, allowing it to flex slightly under the rider over rough surfaces.
Like the non-electric version, the Checkpoint+ SL is designed for adventure and includes a wealth of frame mounts to haul your gear. These mounts have been designed to pair with Trek’s own line of bags, including the Adventure Triangle Bag and Adventure Frame Bag, plus mounts on the frame and fork for water bottles, accessories, and a rear rack.
Checkpoint+ SL Geometry
The Checkpoint+ SL employs Trek’s “gravel endurance geometry” for a more relaxed, upright position for all-day comfort. In fact, the geometry is an exact copy of the regular Checkpoint with only one difference. The Checkpoint+ SL’s chainstays are 10 mm longer — likely due to the addition of the motor — resulting in a wheelbase that is also 10 mm longer. It comes in six frame sizes, XS to XL, and is claimed to fit riders between 4’8” and 6’8”.
Motor and Battery
Like some of the other electric bikes in Trek’s catalog, the new Checkpoint+ SL uses the latest TQ-HPR60 drive system. This motor boasts an impressively small, discreet size, lightweight, and quiet operation that goes nearly unnoticed on the bike. Still, the Harmonic Pin Ring design is claimed to have the highest torque density on the market, and it puts out up to 60 Nm of torque and up to 350 W of peak power. According to Trek, the Checkpoint+ SL is capable of Class 3 speeds with pedal assist up to 28 mph.
The TQ motor is powered by a frame-integrated 360 Wh battery. This slim and lightweight battery provides enough juice for a claimed range of “up to 50 miles.” Your range will vary depending on factors like pedal assist mode, your pedaling effort, and terrain, of course. The bike is also compatible with a 160 Wh range extender, so you can add more battery capacity for longer rides. It’s all tied together with TQ’s top-tube integrated color LED display and discreet handlebar controls.
Trek Checkpoint+ SL: Build Options
The new Checkpoint+ SL comes in three complete builds, all of which share the same 500 Series OCLV carbon frame, TQ-HPR60 drive system, and 360 Wh battery. The models start at $6,000 and top out at $8,000.
Checkpoint+ SL 5: $6,000
The Checkpoint+ SL 5 build is the entry point, and it comes with a rigid carbon fork and a more budget-friendly component spec. It is offered in two color options, Fjord Blue/Cobalt Blue and Matte Bronze Age/Dark Web. Claimed weight for the ML zie is 30.45 lbs. (13.81 kg) set up tubeless with TLR sealant.
- Drivetrain: Shimano GRX RX 820, 1×12
- Cranks: Praxis Alloy (length varies by frame size)
- Brakes: Shimano GRX RX820
- Wheels: Bontrager Paradigm Comp 25
- Tires: Bontrager Girona Pro 700 x 42 mm
- Seatpost: Bontrager Carbon
- Saddle: Bontrager Verse Comp, 145 mm
- Handlebar: Bontrager Elite Gravel (width varies by frame size)
- Stem: Bontrager Elite (length varies by frame size)
Checkpoint+ SL 6 AXS: $6,600
The Checkpoint+ SL 6 AXS build comes with a rigid fork but steps up to wireless shifting. Otherwise, the build is nearly identical the the SL 5 listed above, although the claimed weight is slightly lower at 30.34 lbs. (13.76 kg).
- Drivetrain: SRAM Rival/GX Eagle AXS 1×12
- Cranks: Praxis Alloy (length varies by frame size)
- Brakes: Shimano Rival
- Wheels: Bontrager Paradigm Comp 25
- Tires: Bontrager Girona Pro 700 x 42 mm
- Seatpost: Bontrager Carbon
- Saddle: Bontrager Verse Comp, 145 mm
- Handlebar: Bontrager Elite Gravel (width varies by frame size)
- Stem: Bontrager Elite (length varies by frame size)
Checkpoint+ SL 7 AXS: $8,000
For rough gravel or more comfort, the top-of-the-line Checkpoint+ SL 7 AXS build is the only option that comes with a suspension fork. It is only offered in 5 frame sizes, as the XS frame is not compatible with the suspension fork. Chameleon Green is the only color option, and it weighs in at a claimed 30.98 lbs. (14.05 kg) in a size ML.
- Drivetrain: SRAM Force AXS 1×12
- Cranks: Praxis Alloy (length varies by frame size)
- Brakes: SRAM Force
- Wheels: Bontrager Aeolus Elite 35V Carbon
- Tires: Bontrager Girona Pro 700 x 42 mm
- Seatpost: Bontrager Carbon
- Saddle: Bontrager Verse Short Elite, 145 mm
- Handlebar: Bontrager Pro Gravel (width varies by frame size)
- StemL Bontrager Pro (length varies by frame size)
Trek Checkpoint+ SL: Availability
The all-new Checkpoint+ SL e-gravel bikes are available now globally. You can check them out in person at Trek stores and other Trek retailers, or see them online on the Trek website.
