Hey everyone,
I wanted to share my custom Trek Checkpoint ALR3 build that I’ve recently completed. I intentionally bought the entry-level ALR3 model – not because of the components, but because it shares the exact same aluminum frame as the more expensive ALR5. My plan from the beginning was to strip it down to the bare frame and rebuild it completely from scratch using the parts I wanted, to match my personal riding style and comfort needs.
The goal was a comfort-focused gravel setup that could also handle longer rides and light touring. After a full teardown, I rebuilt the bike with:
• Shimano GRX 810 2x drivetrain and brakes
• Continental Terra Speed tires for fast rolling with just enough grip
• Full Ritchey WCS cockpit: carbon seatpost, stem, headset, and handlebar
• Top tube and frame bags for utility and aesthetics
• ROSE clip-on aero bars – I use these for long straight sections and endurance rides
• IceTech rotors and GRX calipers for braking performance
I also wanted to maintain the clean black-red aesthetic of the frame, so I deliberately chose dark components throughout to keep the build visually cohesive and minimal.
Would love to hear your thoughts – both on the build itself and the look. What do you think? What would you have done differently?
Looking forward to your feedback!
by __Miyazaki__