Originally Posted by
HendersonD
My biggest worry with the Checkpoint is gearing. They got rid of a 2x chainring, all the new Checkpoints are 1x with 40 teeth. With a 10-44 cassette the lowest gear for climbing is 25 gear inches. My Trek 520 has a low gear of 19.5 gear inches. Yes the Checkpoint is 10 pounds lighter but gearing is way more important than weight when climbing
My local dealer said they could turn the bike into a 2x but of course that costs money. I paid for a drivetrain and then I have to pay additional money to change the drive train
Checkpoints used to come with 2x, not sure why that changed. Even when not touring climbing hills will be tougher than with the 520
You continue to not like the Checkpoint as a replacement option, yet here we are with you still talking about it as a replacement option.
Buy a Checkpoint and replace the drivetrain with one that works for you.
Buy a Trek bike worth the credit, sell it, and buy a touring bike or touring frame that works for you.
^ those are your options at this point- just pick one.