If you scroll down a bit you will see this bike is available in 1x or 2x

You probably should ask the shop what they can actually get. I'd prefer the 2X if available and it would have a 46-30. You don't need to over think this. You are looking for the Trek bike, available now, that comes closest to suiting you.

yeah, I am aware the bike comes in 1x and 2x options. You chose to link the 1x option, so that it what I was referring to...info from your link.
The 2x is a 46/30 crank and 11-34 cassette.

The 2x drivetrain also isn't anywhere close to the drivetrain gear ratios you posted in your comparison.
Not trying to be a dick here, but you are seriously confusing and seriously confused.
30-34 ratio is 24 gear inches with a 40mm tire.

So even though the specs quote a 50/34 you think I might be able to order it with a 46/30?

I can't see a 50-34 spec. Can you take a screenshot? Edit- I see 50-34 listed in the specs as max chainring size. Maybe you are confusing that with what comes on the bike?

I am interpreting this as BOTH of these choices are available, is that incorrect? Does this really mean that the bike can be ordered with a variety of chainrings that do not exceed these specs but are available from either SRAM or Shimano?

This link takes me to the the Checkpoint ALR 5 site but I am NOT seeing any reference to 40/36, what am I missing?

What that means is you can put up to a 44t SRAM chainring or up to a 50t Shimano double.
That does not mean the bike comes with a 50/34 Shimano double.
If you look at the Checkpoint builds, you can see what specs each build has.

To be very clear, a Shimano 50/34 double does not pair with an 11-44 cassette.

(Chainring Teeth / Cog Teeth) x Rear Wheel Diameter (wheel & tire) = gear inches
34 chainring / 44 cog teeth x 27.6 inch diameter tire = 21.3 gear inches

That makes sense. I guess if I go through actually specing one out online like I was about to purchase the various combinations that would work would be shown

This is the ALR5 with a Shimano 46/30 double.
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...de=white_black

And this is the main page for the Checkpoint ALR builds. There are 4 ALR5 builds and none have a 50/34 crankset.

What? No dude, you just buy whichever build you want. There is no customizing the drivetrain online.

Treks website is confusing. If you to gravel bikes and click on the link to limit it to ALR you get this. Notice there are two links on this page for ALR 5, One shows a red bike (this is one I linked to) and one shows a white bike (the one you linked to). Why two different links and two different prices for the same bike?

So there is no way online to see exactly what the options are for this bike? How would someone know all the drive train options?

I do see this under crank on the page I linked to. I will be ordering either a 58 or 61 frame size
Size: 58, 61
SRAM Apex 1, 40T, DUB Wide, 175mm length

I see this under crank on the page you linked to
Size: 58, 61
Shimano GRX RX600, 46/30, 175mm length

Same bike but the choices in drive train are different?

Have you never looked at a bike brand site before?
You say those are the same bike. But they are clearly different. They are different builds and therefore different prices.
The bike model is a Checkpoint alr5. Then there are 4 builds for that model.

Of course there is a way to see the drivetrain option for each build- go to the page and look at the spec sheet.

I have never delved too deep into any bike brands site. Since both bikes are labeled "Checkpoint ALR 5" I would think most people would assume they are the same bike. They do have the same frame just slightly different components. Yes, it does seem confusing but I am getting there
There are 4 drivetrain builds for this white Checkpoint ALR 5
There is are 4 drivetrain builds for this Checkpoint ALR 5 but they are different from the other one

Again, you have a local Trek shop. Ask them what configurations are available in your size. Finis.

No one has suggested going to a frame builder and having the seat tube fixed? It's steel; you can weld steel.

The cheaper one is last year’s model.

You have been touring with a triple crank. How do you like it? How much time do you spend in the middle ring?

If a 46t will fit for the majority of your riding that is fine, but if you really want that tweener chainring, you’ll need to figure out what will work for slogging thousands of miles.

You might also want to post this on the touring sub-forum and get their feedback. Having some real life experience by someone who has toured on a Checkpoint might give better insight.

The shop may also be able to track down a 60cm 520 through their systems.

John

Here is a picture of the crack from one side. The crack extends around the other side just as far. When I was in Missoula I brought the bike to a welder who said this would be a very tough spot to weld. He ground off some paint and drilled a hole at the end of the crack on each side to keep it from spreading

So last year's model is available in a 2x and this years is just a 1x
I will head to my local Trek shop and talk to them about gearing option

My local Trek shop said since the 520 was discontinued awhile back, Trek has no more frames and the shop was not able to locate a 520 with a size 60 frame anywhere else. On my Transamerica ride I spent most of my time in the middle chain ring but certainly used the smallest chainring (granny gear) a lot. There were climbs where if I did not have the smallest chainring I would have needed to get off my bike and push it. For example, one climb in Idaho was an 8.7% grade for 3.5 miles. I will place a post in the touring forum

I purchased a Trek 520 in November of 2021 and used it this summer to complete a 4,200 mile cross country ride on the Transamerica route. In Missoula Montana a bike shop discovered the bike had a cracked frame. A crack developed about an inch below where the seat post enters the frame. Luckily the crack did not spread and I was able to complete my ride
Trek warranties the frame for life and they have agreed to give me a $1,300 credit towards a new Trek bike. My local shop said a good replacement would be the Checkpoint ALR 5
Are there any other Trek bikes I should consider?
My 520 "granny gear" is 19.9 gear inches and there were a bunch of times on my tour I used it. My only hesitation with the Checkpoint ALR 5 is the drive train which appears to not go as low. The one I linked to has a 1x with 40 teeth at the front and a 11-44 cassette. If I did the math correct, the "granny gear" is 25.1 gear inches. Have not asked my local Trek shop but perhaps the Checkpoint can be outfitted with a 2x in the front and a different cassette