Hello,
I am currently shopping for my first bike.
I am looking at the Domane AL 2 and the Checkpoint ALR 5. The AL 2 is $1200 and the ALR 5 is $1600. I would love to buy used, but I am living in Korea currently and can’t find much used where I am located.
Most of my riding would be on roads, however I like the idea of keeping the door open to riding gravel occasionally with the ALR 5.
Would the AL 2 leave more to be desired from a road bike? I don’t want something I will outgrow very fast. I have heard of some people getting an additional set of wheels for their gravel bike which sounds like it could be more beneficial than a whole separate road bike.
Overall I am leaning towards the ALR 5, just not positive if it’s silly to be riding a gravel bike when I will riding on paved roads most of the time.
Also are these prices good for the bikes? Red is the AL2 and white is ALR 5.
Thank you for your time.
by crimelime2
9 Comments
the checkpoint is heavily discounted. Its an older model, thats probably why. Its a far superior bike compared to the domane AL2. And at this price difference its worth it. Did you try them out? The geometry of both bikes is different.
I suggest you to buy a used one to start with. Cheaper, and you’ll know if you like cycling really to invest more money into it. With the used one, you’ll be able to sell it the same price the year after and then look for a new one.
But in your situation, if it’s for raid use only AL2.
Your can upgrade everything on a bike afterwards, but the frame.
I have the checkpoint and do mostly road riding. Ive been able to average about 16.5 over 40 miles or so.
The gear ratio is different, 46/31. Acceleration and climbing is better but top speed on flats will be slower than say a 50/34. (Only if you can hold over 20 tho)
I really love that bike, it’s sturdy, stable, and quick.
Fair warning, tires were my first upgrade.. The GR1s are.. just tires. I have Pirelli Cinturano M now, but you could absolutely run GP5000 in 35mm and have tons of extra room in the fork.
My very biased opinion is get the checkpoint. I also have an ALR5 (that I paid much more for) and love it. I recommend it everyone. I also mostly use it for roads but it’s speedy enough to do longer rides, even with the gravel tires.
You can’t go wrong with either. The checkpoint isn’t current but it’s a good deal. If you want to do group road rides you may wish you bought the Domane maybe depending on the group. If you ride by yourself you will never regret the checkpoint. Love the girl you’re with.
What are the components for each?
I have a 2020 Checkpoint that I recently bought refurbished. I absolutely love it. It has 105 groupset and I upgraded tires to GP5000s. I ride on pavement and its plenty fast.
The Checkpoint and it’s not even close. Hydraulic 105, tons of tire clearance.
If you have a budget, go for the Domane AL 5 Gen 4, and you will not regret it because everything is there, and the groupset is good too, Shimano 105 all so you don’t need to upgrade later. Replace it with a gravel tire like Schwalbe g-one RS, so it will be all-around, meaning you can go road or gravel.