In addition to looking at the linked bike page, I did a quick search. The first link I came upon was to this version of the bike, which has a 2x. Yes, check with your local Trek shop, but it looks like equipping the Checkpoint with a 2x setup shouldn't be a problem.

On Trek's site they show last years model with a reduced price and a 2x as well as this years model with a 1x
It is difficult to figure out exactly what chainring/cassette combinations are available via the website so I will consult with my local Trek shop

If your local Trek dealer can't come up with what you want, they may be pushing what they have in stock. Make sure you get what you want in the correct size.

The 520 had a steel frame, I assume the replacement will have an aluminum frame. Is this the bike you had?
https://99spokes.com/bikes/trek/2021/520-disc

That had a 3X system.

You should also ask them to check with Trek to see if they have any new old stock 520 frames in inventory that they could swap the parts too. Or check with other Trek dealers too. I know a guy that had a cracked Trek frame. Trek gave him a replacement frame, but he had to transfer the parts over, no labor was provided by Trek for that.

Will your racks mount on the new bike?

I have some friends that always have to have the latest thing. So, several years ago, the latest thing sounded like a gravel bike. So, one bought an aluminum frame Checkpoint and liked it. Got one for his wife too. And another friend that hates to be outdone, bought a carbon frame Checkpoint. And then another friend bought a carbon Checkpoint with carbon wheels. All four of these people that I know that have Checkpoints are quite happy with them. But, none of them ride with a loaded bike, so not sure if their opinions are applicable to your situation.

Ask if you can keep the parts from your old Trek, just in case you find a use for them later. For example, you might like having a second set of wheels.

Good luck.

Yes, the bike you linked to is the one I had. The dealer already checked and Trek has no more frames for this bike. Trek discontinued this bike nearly 2 years ago so Trek dealers also do not have this bike in stock
I am checking with me dealer to find out if the racks from the 520 can fit a Checkpoint
Unfortunately the wheels on the 520 do not fit a Checkpoint, I could try selling them

I have a 2023 Checkpoint SL5. The 2X drive trains 11/34 in the rear. You can run a 11/40 and some have used 11/44. Crank it comes with either Praxis or GRX. The GRX is 46/30 and Praxis is 48/32 I think. The Praxis low may be a 31. I have GRX. The new, latest Generation of the Checkpoint currently only comes in 1X with SRAM groupset. The newest design can run 2X but the bracket for a front derailleur is extra. The SL has mounting holes. The ALR would clamp on. As for the 50/34 crank the frame will accommodate this but does not come with it. This is the largest size that will fit.

Ryan Van Duzer did a cross country trip with a Checkpoint. He has a series of videos and shows what they packed. There is also another guy who did a cross country trip. He broke the flange on the stock wheelset and had to replace the rear wheel during the trip. I get the impression the stock wheels are the weak link.

Take the hint and go to Rohloff14 or Pinion. 1x is the sickest joke ever for a tour bike, no top end.
The KOGA world traveler is alu and very durable.
My R14 is still getting better at 21,000 miles. It's impossible to make it fail. I have it geared high, 21 to 109 with a chain. So what if I have to push a few miles.
Sure beats busted spokes and goofball shifting. SA XL Dyno drum brake on front and cable TRP Spyre disc on the back, stops on a dime anytime.

You could get that repaired.

I had a welder look at it and he said it is a very difficult if not impossible weld. He ground off paint and drilled holes at the end of each crack to keep them from spreading. Here is a photo, the crack extends around the other side as well

So my local Trek shop should be able to help me pick the proper combination of chainring and cassette and get it ordered that way? In other words, the standard chainring on the newest model is a 1x but I could order it with a 2x and a cassette that match in order to bring down the gear inches lower (better granny gear)?

If you didn’t already, and really want to keep that bike alive, get an experienced frame builder to look at it. I’ve seen successful repairs of this type of crack on steel and aluminum frames.

I wonder if this started to develop after your crazy fall last year...

Possibility but I had 6 different bike shops look at it since the fall (local bike shop twice, 4 bike shops on Transamerica and none of them discovered this crack until the last one in Missoula

You may be able to find a 2023 ALR 5 which has 2X in your size. It is on sale. Looks like 58cm is available for order but a 61cm size are in stores. You could just get a frame and build using some of the parts from the 520.

As for repair did you try someone who repairs bicycles. They would most likely braze a sleeve in side and use a smaller set post. But that does not get the credit for the frame and a new bike.

Very interesting topic ,because in the distant past Trek Us made using True Temper tubing were never subject to this kind of cracks and were known for their bulletproofness. Probably member Bulgie could chime in and see what can be done to save and repair your frame.

OP is trying to figure how to best use his $1300 credit from Trek.

Herein lies the issue with doubles in some circumstances.

For the vast majority, a compact, subcompact, or even a 1x is the best option. But for others, I imagine more prevalent with tourers and an extra 50lbs, a middle ring that will go the width of a cassette might end up being the weapon of choice for a lot of miles.

It has little to do with running some chart to demonstrate the same available ratios with less duplicates. It has to do what the the ease of use, and convenience, that makes it almost function as a 1x in a lot of situation. At those times, there is little care if the same ratio could be found elsewhere in the gearing.

Back in the 52/42 days, most of my time was spent in the 42t in hilly terrain, or even where there were a lot of lights. The 52t was great on flats and downhills with open road.

John

I have a $1,300 credit with Trek that I need to use up. I will need to add another $1,000 to the credit to get another Trek bike so purchasing a brand other than Trek is out for now

Disregard the guy that tells you to get a Rohloff or Pinion. To the best of my knowledge, Trek never sold either. Thus, on a warranty exchange, they can't give you one of those, even if you wanted to pay the difference.

By the same token, the kid across the street rode unsupported from SoCal to Seattle with a 1x. He packed fairly light. He planned to continue to Colorado, but the weather turned bad.

40t chainring and a 10-50 cassette. If 22 gear inches work, (700 X 35), that might be the best bet. Riding in basically a middle ring.

Might be tempted to run a double with a 30t that will only get used with the lower 3rd of the cassette, (chain wrap), for those do or die circumstances. Might have to get creative to keep the 40t chainline centered on the cassette.

A 1x plus strictly bail out.

John

I am in very good shape as shown by my 3,300 miles I did this summer with huge elevation gains BUT I am 65 years old and not a kid anymore. I do know that without my 19.5 gear inch granny gear (or something fairly close) I would have gotten off my bike and pushed it several hills. I never pushed my bike up a single hill this summer

He rode north? That's impressive. No one rides north on the West Coast, as our prevailing winds are from the north and west; here at the top of Cali, it's mostly north. Ah, to be young and foolish, with an excess of energy.

Hell. I toured 10K miles during 3 trips at age 34 and 35 with lots of hills and mountains, including in Andalucia. My low was around 17 inches. Never regretted it for a minute. And if smaller jumps work better for you like they do for me, buck the trend and keep the triple. I’m serious considering going back to a MTB triple this winter.

Get a whatever from Trek. buy a different touring bike and swap the parts from your old 520 on it. Now you have 2 bikes.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/204881526756?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=204881526756&targetid=2299003535955&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=919413 8&poi=&campaignid=21214315381&mkgroupid=161363866036&rlsatarget=aud-1412318123216la-2299003535955&abcId=9407526&merchantid=6296724&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2ou2BhCCARIsANAwM2Faf_Ct1V 1fh3wPBLjk5kP5lAmNWB0o9IwDu-kFTHWVNB22ucEClBMaAnq9EALw_wcB

​​​​​​https://www.ebay.com/itm/13507384892...Bk9SR8ix-cKtZA

I read that Emondas are on closeout sale.

Crack down the middle too huh?
ouch!