Along with e-mountain bikes, gravel is a genre that’s quickly growing. Expanding into gravel racing thanks to the UCI’s influence, gravel is getting faster, but Trek has gone in the opposite direction completely with the new CheckOUT. That’s because it features 60mm of suspension up front and 55mm at the rear. Yep, it’s a full susser, and here are all of the details.
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Extra suspension for rough gravel epics
Of course, we’ve seen proper full suspension before as far back as 2019, when Niner unveiled the MCR 9 RDO (early prototypes first surfaced in 2017) – but a whole six years later, Trek is the first of the big brands to go there.
Spotted back in June under Justinas Leveika, we knew that there was something rather exciting coming from the Trek camp, and this is that very bike. Dubbed the CheckOUT, it boasts actual suspension at both ends of the bike. I say actual, because the rear 55mm of bounce is damped with a RockShox SIDLuxe shock, and the bike uses a linkage, something that’s part and parcel of full suspension mountain bikes.
At the front, there’s something rather cool, too. It’s a new fork from RockShox designed for this bike called the Rudy XL. It delivers 60mm of suspension while leaving room for up to 2.25in wide tyres. It also gets RockShox’s Race Day 2 damper and Solo Air airspring.
The addition of suspension at both ends of the bike is all in a bid to decrease fatigue while boosting comfort and control. So much so that Trek says that there’s a 41.5% reduction in vibrational energy that reduces fatigue, 23% less steering variation, and a 7.3% reduction in what the brand says is ‘rider ventilation’.
The bike boasts a mad handlebar too
Interesting handlebars aren’t anything new for gravel. We’ve seen Canyon dip its toes into handlebar weirdness with the banana-filled Full Mounty handlebar. However, Trek’s handlebar is comparatively tame.
The GR CheckOUT handlebar boasts an extra-wide flare of 12cm between the hoods and drops, as well as an ergonomic (according to the brand) backsweep. This should complement the suspension by bringing more comfort into the mix.
However, we’re told that it combines an aerodynamic shape when the rider is using the hoods, allowing them to stay tucked, but that the overall width of the bar helps with the bike’s long trail figures.
The bar is then made from Carbon IsoCore, which is crafted to help further absorb vibrations.
Trek’s huge stride into ‘adventure gravel’ doesn’t stop there
Recognising that gravel is more than just fat tyres, drop bars and now suspension, Trek has loaded the CheckOUT with mounting points. As well as 18 mounts around the frame, on sizes ML and upwards, Trek has kitted the CheckOUT with an integrated rear rack, which we’re told works with both the bike’s suspension and dropper post. Oh yes, there’s a dropper, too.
But where things get extra cool is in the Adjustable Multi Mounts. This system allows users to place kit wherever they want on the downtube and route their cables externally should they choose.
However, if this kind of mounting system isn’t for you, Trek has collaborated with Topo Designs to build a frame bag that fits inside the whole of the CheckOUT’s front triangle. That’s all, while matching the bike’s colourway… neat.
Packed with frame details
The CheckOUT is built with a 500 Series OCLV Carbon frame that’s designed to be compliant in itself. It’s then tested to mountain bike standards for durability’s sake, but to further longevity, there’s a plastic guard under the downtube for a hint of extra protection.
As for the geometry, this bike is designed to be more stable over the rough stuff and more comfortable than the Checkpoint. As such, there’s a 69.4-degree head angle on sizes ML and up, whereas the M gets a 69-degree head angle, and the S gets a 68.8-degree measurement. A 74.8-degree seat tube angle is found across the size range, as well as a 442mm chainstay. A large frame gets a 427mm reach, and there’s an 88.5mm trail measurement on sizes ML and up.
If you’re keen to jump on the full suspension gravel bandwagon, expect to spend between £3,000 to £7,000.
