Gravel bike opinions sought

I'm planning on buying a gravel bike sometime between October and December. I think I've narrowed it down to these two, but feel free to suggest comparable alternatives.

• Trek Checkpoint SL 5
• Specialized Diverge Sport Carbon

The bike is to be used for weekend rides, both flat and occasional hill climbs. Probably not off road, but I want the bigger tires for the lousy roads. Potholes and cracked asphalt are epidemic in Los Angeles .

I prefer a carbon frame, and the Shimano GRX 810 parts (2 chainrings).

 

If you haven't already done so you need to ride both, and when I ride I don't mean making small circles in the parking lot, I mean take each out for a 5-mile ride. Make sure you don't get toe overlap, I've heard that is a bit of an issue with the Trek. I like Specialized products but I think that bike has something called Future Shock front fork, I think something as odd as that fork could later down the road become a repair nightmare, something I would stay away from.

So if that Specialize has the Future Shock fork, and the Trek front wheel contacts your foot when turning, you'll be looking at another brand or model of bike.

 

I don't know of any retailer that will let you adjust a bike to your body, attach your pedals, and go for a 5 mile ride, in order to compare bikes. As for the "toe overlap", I think that would only be an issue with very long cranks, or very large feet, or someone who likes to ride in figure eights a lot. Your front wheel normally doesn't move more then 5 to 10 degrees when turning, unless you're moving at a very slow speed.

Right now it looks like I'm going with the Trek, but probably the Checkpoint SL 6.

 

That's odd because I didn't know any shop that wouldn't adjust the bike for a test ride. I mean they're not pro-fits obviously, but just to dial in close enough so you would comfortable enough on a short ride. Do you think that a bike shop would let you test a bike and be uncomfortable and then lose the sale over such a thing?

Toe overlap can also be caused by the cleat position, top tube length, tire diameter, head and seat angles, and fork offset; in the case of the Trek it was the frame and fork offset that was causing the toe overlap because owners could not adjust it out. Of course, this situation didn't occur with every rider, just some, but enough to where a person considering buying one should check it.

 

I went to a bike shop yesterday, and stood outside in the sun waiting behind two other people. I stood there for 15 minutes, and no one from the store even acknowledged anyone. I gave up and left. Even if I did get in, and they had the bikes in stock (they don't - anywhere), I'm not sure that riding the bike in the streets of LA would be anything but frustrating. I have no intention of riding the bike in city traffic. The roads are war torn.

The Checkpoint head tube angle is not as steep as their other bikes. The wheelbase is longer too. I'm not sure how that would lead to more bumping into the wheel while pedaling/turning.