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 be looking at?

The Checkpoint is a pretty good substitute, although aluminum frame/carbon fork rather than steel. What size was your 520? I just might happen to know of a Trek shop in New England with one of the last remaining 520s still in stock.

Frame size is 60

I have not done the math yet but does the Checkpoint ALR 5 have a low gear (granny gear) as low as the 520 when outfitted with 2 chainrings in front?

I agree, the Checkpoint would be the best choice from Trek. You can figure the gearing as well as anyone, just look up the specs.

This one’s too small then. I don’t have hearing specs on hand but it’s not hard to find, and presumably you have the 520 in hand already to help compare.

- Buy whatever Trek will get you close to your $1300 credit.
- Sell that bike without riding it.
- Buy an REI ADV1.1 for $1000. https://www.rei.com/product/220761/c...es-adv-11-bike
- Be happy with your new touring bike that has good stock gear range.

I don't know how anyone could think that Checkpoint is in any way a substitute for a full-on touring bike like the 520. Maybe light "bike-packing" or credit-card touring like they show in the ad copy, but not self-supported solo touring. I like the suggestion to take the Checkpoint, sell it, and buy the REI ADV1.1. Or look for a used 520 or 750 (same frame) or any other real touring bike. At least if you intend to do loaded, long-distance touring. And even if it's just day trips or credit-card touring, if you've been spoiled by riding steel, an aluminum-framed bike may not make you happy.

I would be curious to see if you could sell a $1200 for $1000 in today's market. Even if you didn't ride it once. That's a little over 20% off. Maybe if you were patient. Are Trek's warranties transferable? There are so many nice bikes with less than 20 miles on them that typically sell for 50% of the purchase price.

The main problem with the Checkpoint is it is not rated to carry as high a load as the 520. Gearing you can for the most part get close.

There is the Trek 1120 and their Dual Sport.

There are some 520s at shops. A few months ago it was possible to use the Trek web site to find them. I don’t know how to do it now. But I remember a Trek dealer on Charlottesville Va had a couple. It would be tedious but you’d have to search for dealers and see if they list them.

Edit Maybe one in CA


Best bet is n+1. Get a Trek you could use like a mountain bike. Or find a friend that wants a Trek and buy for them. The shop for a heavyweight touring bike.

I would look at a Co-Motion. Take a decent Trek and re-sell it or keep it for other purposes but get a nice Co-Motion touring bike or frame and enjoy yourself.

Is there that much difference in ride between steel and aluminum? Both bikes have carbon forks

The max total weight (bike, gear and rider) for both bikes is 275 pounds so no difference there

When I rode the Transamerica this summer there were a number of riders whose rigs were similar to the Checkpoint. The used more of a bike packing setup but several had racks installed with full size panniers in the back. In general they packed light but they made it cross country
My 520 weighs 36 pounds while the Checkpoint comes in around 23 pounds so right away you start out with less weight

your 520 did not weigh 36 pounds, in the same way a Checkpoint is weighed at 23 pounds.

Given the tire size you can use on the Checkpoint, the AL will not be harsh or whatever. The rear triangle and bottom bracket may be stiffer than the 520 and you'll likely appreciate that when you crank on the pedals. You might have to buy some new bike luggage if you plan another tour but that's kind of a non-issue IMO, there's plenty to be had. Edit- Checkpoint ALR5 advantages over your 520 include thru axles with current spacing, carbon fork, hydraulic discs, a nicer component group and tubeless ready.

I weighed my 520 myself, it weighs 36 pounds. The only thing I added was fenders
The Checkpiont specs say a 56 size frame weighs 21.7 pounds. I would need a larger frame and would likely just add one rack in the back but the Checkpoint does come in a bit lighter

did your 520 also have pedals, a front rack, and a rear rack?

The 520 has a carbon fork as well
Should I run tubeless on the Checkpoint? I know it has the advantage of being lighter and I was told lower pressure so it gives a better ride. I ran with tubes on the Transamerica. I was afraid of getting a flat running tubeless and being a long ways from a bike shop

The 520 had pedals, front rack and rear rack, and fenders = 36 pounds
Checkpoint in my size is about 23 pounds, add a back rack (I will not add a front rack), and pedals (likely run without fenders) and it should come in lighter. Not a lot lighter but a few pounds lighter

I know several people who’ve happily done loaded tours on a Checkpoint. At the end of the day, frame design is more important than material alone. The checkpoint is a comfortable bike and depending on the age of your 520, may allow wider tires which helps a lot too.

Here are the drivetrain specs on the two bikes along with gear inch calculations. My 520 "granny gear" is 19.9 gear inches while the Checkpoint is a bit higher at 21.3. Would I notice this on a long climb with the bike loaded up with some gear for touring? I am guessing I would not notice it much without gear

Why do you have 50-34 for the Checkpoint crank? When I was looking they were 46-30.

The Trek alr5 that you linked in your first post is 1x.
It's a 44t chainring and an 11-44 cassette.
44-44 results in 28 gear inches.

This is the site I was using, am I looking in the wrong spot?
Checkpoint ALR 5