$9k for the SL7 version. They’re positioning as a bikepacking rig, which…I dunno at that price.
Still, pretty interesting bike from a company that I wouldn’t really expect an unusual bike from.
Funny they would put SL7 in the model name. I’m sure Specialized is looking at that. But they are on the SL8 so maybe not.
Checkpoint and Domane have both had SL7 variants for years now. If it were going to be a problem, it would’ve already been one.
Oh ya their gravel bikes. I forgot. Guess the anaerobic intervals just fried my brain and legs.
Trek’s carbon designation for a while is SL or SLR. Then the number is the groupset/wheel spec. So they have SLR9, SLR8, SLR7… as well as SL9, SL8, SL7. and so forth. SL is just their heavier layup. SLR is the light one.
So…a less capable XC bike? I’m wondering who the market for this is.
Semi rich people that need a beater to train on?
I find it interesting that they’re shipping a drop bar mountain-ish bike, given the pain so many went through to get drop bars on their XC bikes for Leadville and the number of mountain bikes I saw at OTGG this year.
I’m looking at a used Toyota Camry that costs about the same.
I know, I know….inflation, etc.
But bike prices are still obscene….
For a bikepacking rig it seems like a very respectable rig.
I think some of the features rolled into a specific racing trim could be popular. Wonder what the weight is for the top trim.
Looks to be about 25lbs.
Very ‘we found some 90s clipart on an old cd’ chic
Yeah. That’s the problem. If it were 20lb. Ok, then, there is your 2026 Leadville race bike. Or something. But it’s heavier than my old 2018 non-S works epic. So you can’t argue for weight. Otherwise, just run an entire gravel bike for aero and weight. Or a drop bar mtb. Which will be lighter anyways. If you bike pack, drop bar mtb for strength and more robustness.
A similarly speced Supercaliber is about the same price and weight, so really it’s about the geometry. The Checkout has way more space in the main triangle and that weird rack, but less travel in the suspension. I don’t think this is Trek’s doing, but I’m a bit surprised that Rockshox didn’t release the new fork with a Flight Attendant option.
Yeah, but you could just get a hard tail. Also Supercalibers are not exactly light. My epic has gx, 1400 gram wheels and aluminum bars. The only top end thing is the sl ultimate fork. Other then that its 2nd or 3rd tier, non s works frame plus a 18 model. Yet still lighter. I think any other good mtb would be better for bike packing
I have to think someone at Trek is facepalming over the “is it aero or lightweight? Is it a XC bike? Could you race it at Leadville” discussion.
Just looking at it, my first impression is that this bike is more competition for a Salsa Cutthroat than for a Specialized Epic.
Specialized has entered the chat…
Yeah - I just compared price and specs. I just bought my wife an Epic 8 Expert for $5800 that is slightly lighter than the $9k version of this bike.
As mentioned, I think this bike is more of a Salsa cutthroat competitor than XC bike. Granted, unless I really needed the main frame storage, I’d spring for an Epic 8 with drop bars as opposed to this trek. Especially with how good lockout settings are nowadays.
This trek might be a good choice for the tour divide type rides where you need the storage, tire clearance, and not much travel. That rear suspension could possibly nudge out a hard tail mtb.
Yeah, the name Salsa came to mind as well. Although those are designed to be sturdy, robust bikes that can take a beating. The Checkout seems more sophisticated.
I don’t mind manufacturer trying things, but I reckon that within a few years manufacturers will have gotten a grip on how many bikes they actually need to cover the spectrum.
Instead of building a checkout, why not offer a XC hardtail with dropbars and additional mounting points instead? I reckon the latter is much more robust.
