Latest rider reviews

Rides a Crux 5 as a road bike alongside a 2026 Cervélo S5, on the same 60 mm wheels with 32/34 mm road tyres. Does not feel slower than on the S5, only less twitchy and slower to turn; is waiting for a narrower Terra cockpit to match their road position.

“I have an 2026 S5 and now the Crux 5 as well. Riding both with the same wheels. I don’t feel any slower, but just reaction-wise it’s less twitchy.”

A few months into a 2026 Checkmate that replaced a 2022 Domane, set up 2x with SRAM Force AXS and 40 mm Pirelli Cinturato tyres. Says it absolutely flies; the front derailleur battery leaves only about 5 mm of tyre clearance, so wider tyres are limited, but they are happy with 40s.

“A few months in to my 2026 Checkmate M/L, replacing a 2022 Domane. Prismatic to Trek Black. Fitted with 40mm Pirelli Cinturatos, measuring 42mm. 2x AXS Force Road.”

Just bought a Checkpoint ALR 5 Gen 3, partly for the blue paint. Finds the SRAM shifting snappier than their 11-speed 105 road bike; the one quirk is that the single lever shifts both ways, so a missed downshift in the lowest gear shifts up instead.

“The shifting is really nice, I’m coming from a road bike with Shimano 105 11-speed and it’s definitely snappier. The only thing that’s weird is that the same lever is used for both upshift and downshift.”

Sold an Allez Sprint and runs a Crux 5 with two wheelsets, 45 mm gravel tyres and 40 mm road tyres. Just rode a century with 4,000 ft of climbing, still keeps up with 20 mph group rides, and finds it faster than the Allez Sprint; very happy with the purchase.

“I can still easily join a group ride averaging 20mph. Overall, I’m very happy with the purchase. For some reason, my crux is faster than my Allez sprint.”

Owns a Checkpoint ALR 5 Gen 3 with SRAM 1x12. Planned to buy a 2x Diverge but liked how the Checkpoint rode on a test ride; still finds 1x12 not ideal, prefers the feel of the CUES hydraulic brakes over Apex, and thinks SRAM's metal parts may last longer.

“I actually wanted 2x, and was planning to Specialized Diverge with CUES 2x10. But test riding, I just like how the Checkpoint feels, so ended up with 1x. And I find even 1x12 is not ideal.”

A lifelong mountain biker who has ridden gravel for four years owns a Crux 5 Comp with upgraded cranks, bar and seatpost. Has run it on 2.1-inch tyres and loves it, would change nothing on the frame, and plans a road wheelset so it can replace their Allez Sprint.

“Have been running 2.1 thunderburts on this bike and it’s been phenomenal. Genuinely love this bike and will be keeping it for along time. Really can’t think of anything I’d change to the frame.”

Bought the Checkpoint ALR 4 in the summer after riding higher-end groupsets. Says CUES works really well for the money even if it is not GRX or Ultegra, and loves the light frame, the geometry, the many mounts and clearance for 55 mm tyres.

“Bought this bike this summer, have had other group sets before that we’re higher end. The Cues group set works really really well. Yes it does not work as good as a GRX or Ultegra or Sam Red”

Ten days and about 100 miles in on a Checkpoint ALR 4, commuting and on gravel. Finds CUES shifting good with a wide range that climbs a 15% grade comfortably, and the hydraulic brakes excellent; compared with their Domane SL6 Gen 4 with 105 Di2, the difference in shifting speed barely matters.

“Yes, I've had one for 10 days and put about 100 miles on it commuting and doing a couple of gravel rides. CUES is perfectly fine; shifting is good and the ranges are properly broad;”

Owns a Checkpoint ALR 4 in Living Coral and calls it an amazing bike. Was unsure about Shimano CUES at first but has had no issues since buying it; not as smooth as SLX on their mountain bike, but it does the job.

“after using it on my ALR4, I can say it's good, zero issues since the day I bought the bike. It's not as smooth as SLX on my MTB, but it does the job perfectly.”

Owns the Checkpoint ALR 4 Gen 3 and rides it more on downhill MTB trails than gravel. Happy with the choice: the CUES group shifts smoothly if a little slowly, the brakes are fine, and they would buy it again, after upgrading the wheels, tyres and cranks.

“I have that exact bike and 100% happy I chose that model. The CUES is exactly what it's designed for which is the more affordable entry level groupset.”