Gravel Bike 2024 Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 AXS

Nice bike Shawn. Dropper seat posts are awesome. Most people want carbon bikes, but aluminum is making a comeback. I think they are the much better value, having both. I don't find much of a difference between the two in comfort, as tires are the biggest difference I notice in the handling, comfort and ride of a bike. 61 is a pretty large frame. I'm 6 foot and ride a 56 or 58. Larger frame is more comfortable though and shaving a fraction of weight for racing with a smaller frame really not going to make a difference and may make you feel more cramped and uncomfortable. Looking forward to meeting you at a ride. Going to make the St. Nic Steeleville ride on the 21st, weather permitting. Still sticking with the mountain bike at this time. Cliff Cave today in south StL with a couple of fellow riders.

So far, I've used the dropper seat bar just to get on and off the bike easier, LOL. Maybe I'll find more use for it in the future! 61 is a big frame for sure. I'm 6'5", and it feels like it fits me well. My road bike is also that big. It's carbon, but in all honesty, the aluminum bike feels the same as the carbon bike, plus I can put more weight (bikepacking bags) on the aluminum bike, so I like that. Thanks for the comment

Shawn Gossman said:

So far, I've used the dropper seat bar just to get on and off the bike easier, LOL. Maybe I'll find more use for it in the future! 61 is a big frame for sure. I'm 6'5", and it feels like it fits me well. My road bike is also that big. It's carbon, but in all honesty, the aluminum bike feels the same as the carbon bike, plus I can put more weight (bikepacking bags) on the aluminum bike, so I like that. Thanks for the comment

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Ah, now that makes sense on the 61, as didn't realize you were that tall. Pro is when bikes that large go up for sale used, there are very few riders that size in the market so you can really get a sweet deal, and con of course is when you go to sell, you usually have to discount pretty heavily on price! I watched the video of the Dirty South Roubaix; your friend did a really good job as it was quite entertaining.