Quote from: mickeg on October 28, 2025, 01:32:55 AM

Is it a Checkpoint?
I know about five or six people with the Checkpoint, two of them had to replace their bottom brackets.  But the bottom bracket problem might be limited to the carbon frame models.

Domane AL. Not sure which number. A midrange model. Funnily enough, I had asked her if there had been any bottom bracket problems. She said apart from normal wear items, everything was original.

The people that I know that have Trek bikes, the only ones that had bottom bracket problems had the Checkpoint, I think both of them were carbon frames but maybe only one is carbon?  The people I know with aluminum frame Checkpoints, no problems other than one gal has had some defective tires, I think her bike is now two years old. 

I have never thought of the Domane as a gravel bike, I think of that as a road bike.  And it does not surprise me that it has 24 spokes.

There are lots of Trek bikes in my area, the CEO lives about 10 miles from my home, their headquarters about 30 miles.  But I have never owned one.  I considered a 520 about a decade and a half ago, but got something else.

thanks for replys folks .y bike frame is aCX cross bike ultegra groupset .
i have an electric front wheel on 250 watt get my aching bones up the hills.
but makes the bike HEAVY  .

all the camping is brand new really nice gear Kilos brand
panniers are ortlieb classic
tent is really nice 2 man looks pure quality but sure wont know
how it holds up in storms until i try it lol.
ya know being old 72 is not a lotta fun thats a fact
broke a bloody tooth last night aint got to many left who invented teeth
my poor back is still knackered and eye sight is getting a bit on the dodgy side.

But saying all that im determined to get a few good over nighters before i totally seize up,
hence the reason i asked about alu frames lol

cheers
jags

...
Carrier racks make a difference. Best I have used are the Thorn and Tubus ones made from steel tubes.

Yes. 

I have not used a Thorn rack, I use a Tubus Logo EVO on my Nomad Mk II or Sherpa for touring, it was rated for 40kg.

The Racktime Addit rack appears to have been discontinued, I use that on my light touring bike, rated for 30 kg.  Also a great rack, an internet search finds several retailers still sell it.

Tubus and Racktime reduced their weight ratings, it is my understanding that the reduction is because they wanted to have ratings below a regulatory weight rating needed for a child carrier.  I suspect their older higher ratings are still reliable ratings.

I've toured with quite a few different bikes. Even with Brompton and Moulton 16" wheel bikes, which aren't really ideal for camping loads.

In the '70s and '80s I used my 700C lightweight with Reynolds 531 frame for everything. It wasn't the best choice for heavy cycle camping loads as the frame was a bit too flexible, but it's what I had at the time so I used it. 

My best bikes for heavily loaded touring are/were :

- My Thorn Raven Tour, which is nearly as stiff as the Thorn Nomad. Fat tyres, and very stiff Thorn carrier racks. And a Rohloff with Chainglider for low maintenance.

- An old Mountain bike that I converted with drop bars and lightweight 26" x 50 mm tyres for better on-road performance. Very stiff steel frame, but the Karrimor carrier racks weren't as stiff as the Thorn or Tubus racks I use nowadays. With better racks this would have been just as good as my Raven Tour for load carrying, but I got fed up with cleaning derailleur gears, hence the Raven Tour.

Both the above are probably overkill for short lightweight camping trips on decent roads in summer. For that I could probably use one of my lighter bikes, but as I have the Raven Tour I haven't bothered.

Carrier racks make a difference. Best I have used are the Thorn and Tubus ones made from steel tubes.

My daughter has a Trek aluminium frame gravel bike. It’s 5 years old and has done 2 or 3 loaded (camping kit) tours, and is used for commuting to work. I just went out for a ride with her today. The wheels are true as the day she bought the bike, and they have (gasp!) 24 spokes

I think you’ll be fine