Trek Checkpoint SL 6 eTap

It’s versatile and cheaper, but is certainly no slouch when it comes to fast multi-terrain riding

IT’S EASY TO lump these bikes into the ‘gravel race-bike’ category. And yet, in testing, it became clear that subtle differences in design make each of these bikes better suited to differing types of riding.

The Specialized S-Works Crux is the most fun bike to ride. It’s a whippy and entertaining companion on singletrack and is appealingly simple. Fittingly, as crux is Latin for cross, this would be my pick for cyclocross racing. It is, however, unbelievably expensive. A less-expensive build, such as the Crux Pro, will give nearly all of the performance of the topend build and still leave money to burn on a nice gravel-riding holiday in the sun.

The Wilier Rave SLR is a bike that can genuinely take on dual duties as a gravel bike with little compromise on the road. For gravel racing, however, you may find the lack of accessory mounts and limited fit options problematic – long-distance riding is thirsty work and I’m surprised there are no bosses on the underside of the down tube. I also have concerns about the long-term durability of the finish, a worry on a bike designed to be ridden off road.

The Trek Checkpoint SL 6 is the most versatile of the bunch and, even in this cheaper build, it didn’t feel like a slouch on my many multi-terrain routes. Trek’s IsoSpeed system is also effective and the build is decent for the cash (in the context of 2022 prices).

As always, close examination of both a bike’s specs and an honest assessment of your intentions is key to ensuring you get the right bike for your needs. But if I was interested in serious gravel racing with the option to go touring or bikepacking, the Checkpoint in one of its various guises would be my bike of choice.

“It became clear that subtle differences in design make each of these bikes better suited to differing types of riding”