Trek Checkpoint+ e-Gravel Bike Review: No BS

trek checkpoint plus review — Trek Checkpoint + eGravel Bike

Trek Checkpoint Plus Gravel Bike Review

“Checkpoint+ is an electric gravel bike built for the long haul. You get a virtual tailwind on every climb thanks to a TQ HPR60 motor with a quiet and smooth boost up to 28mph, while the 360wh battery keeps you rolling along as the miles stack up.” – Trek Bikes Website

Powerful & Discreet E-System

“The industry-leading TQ HPR 60 harmonic pin ring motor is super efficient with an amazing range-to-weight-to-speed ratio. It’s ultra-compact, whisper-quiet, and offers a natural-feeling assist up to 28 mph with 50 miles of range (in eco mode). Plus, choose how much boost you get and when you get it with three assist modes.”

Trek Checkpoint Plus Gravel Bike Review Video

Alternative Video Link for those reading via email subscription

In this video, JOM of the Gravel Cyclist crew presents his long-term review of the Checkpoint+ Electric Gravel Bike.
Continued from Above:

Relaxed Gravel Endurance Geometry

“Confident and comfortable Gravel Endurance geometry puts you in a more relaxed upright riding position to tackle even the most epic, all-day adventures.”

Road-Smoothing Isospeed

“IsoSpeed technology soaks up fatiguing bumps in the road so you can ride stronger longer.”

Mounting Points

“Carry everything you need with mounts on the frame and fork for front and rear racks, fenders, and Adventure Frame and Triangle Bags. Plus, Checkpoint+ was designed to fit extra hydration in addition to all your bags.”

Written Ride Experience Review (or see the video above)

At approximately 30lbs with Trek bottle cages and Shimano XTR pedals, the Checkpoint Plus is light, possibly class leading like for an eBike, but riders switching from an analog machine to a bike of this nature, will notice the weight sans power assist. That is the beauty of this bike, you can easily adjust power assistance levels, of which there are three courtesy of these easily accessible handlebar buttons, or no power assist whatsoever. Without power assist, expect a really solid workout pedaling 30lbs of Checkpoint Plus.

The TQ HPR60 motor is incredibly smooth, quiet and powerful, no matter the power assist mode. Level 1 power assist, I feel overcomes the weight of the bike with a small extra feeling of boost, almost a gentle push. Level 2, that’s akin to being pushed along by the wings of an angel. Level 3, that’s just plain unfair, and with pedal assistance can propel the rider to 28mph.

One thing you may notice riding the Checkpoint plus is range anxiety. Thankfully, you can dole out your power assist viewing the current battery level atop the top tube. In a real world, no BS test, I’ve managed to eke out 66 miles or 106kms managing the motor. Essentially I relied on power Level 1 only, and at times when I was able to draft in the group I was riding with, I would switch the motor off completely. If you need additionally battery power, a 160wh range extender battery for your rear bottle cage is available.

One further point about battery usage, the SRAM eTap shifting also relies on the eBike battery, which is handy, as you don’t need to charge a second battery. Should you drain the bike’s battery to the point the motor cuts out, you still have about 300 shifts on the rear derailleur to chug on home.

In the example of me knocking out 66 miles, the Checkpoint plus proved one of many use cases of an eBike. I was on the tail end coughing phase of a three week long flu, or something equally horrible, and managed to survive riding with the B group at the 2026 Faustian Bargain, part of the North Florida Freeride Gravel Series. This course is almost flat, but there’s no rest, no coasting, always pedaling. If it wasn’t for the ebike on this day, there’s no way I could have ridden in this group, let alone ride the course solo at my own pace. Another observation, nobody knew the Checkpoint Plus was an eBike unless I told them. The TQ motor is that quiet.

Riding out of the saddle, you’ll feel the extra weight of the bike rocking it side to side, I think it’s best if you’re climbing to stay seated, and rely on the power of the motor to help you along. The stock gearing is a bit excessive in my opinion, at least in flatter, or rolling terrain. 10-52 is fab for riding steep grades, but those cassette gaps may drive you berserk, whereas a 10-36 12-speed cassette was absolutely perfect for the riding aboard this bike in Georgia and North Florida. Sometimes, the cassette choice may be academic considering the pedal assist you have available.

The stock wheelset on this bike is overbuilt, a good thing, but I feel this bike is worthy of a carbon wheelset upgrade which should also drop a little weight. If your tyre pressure is set appropriately, the ride of the Checkpoint plus is comfy, aided by the Isospeed design. Being 100% transparent, you don’t notice Isospeed doing too much as you ride along, but it is mitigating vibrations somewhat, and can prevent fatigue, and help you ride further… or, it’s placebo and you feel happy riding the technology.

I love this bike, I could see myself owning one of these when I really slow down later in life. Negatives, removing or replacing the 360wh battery is a total PITA, and Trek only recommends a trained mechanic do it. As it stands, you cannot legally fly a Checkpoint+ due to the battery’s size, no matter if the batter was carried with carry on luggage. I really wish the Checkpoint plus had a quick release battery system. I have some ideas for improving the battery design that I would love to share with the Trek engineers offline.

Wrapping up, I feel this is THE best gravel eBike on the market, with tons of versatility and good looks. It will cost you $US 6,600 which isn’t cheap, but quite reasonable considering how good the technology is inside this frame