Probably can't start planning too early, right? So my current gravel bike has treated me well, but the rear derailleur clutch is busted. If I engage it it makes some very loud noises and does not shift smoothly at all. I had the cables replaced and took it to the LBS I bought it from to service the clutch. They said it looks fine to them and to just not use the clutch... I don't love that advice. Love the store and the people though, they run the local group rides that best suit my riding. So, I am considering replacing the rear mech, changing from a 2x to a 1x? Maybe going electronic. Then when I was talking with my father, he suggested a new bike... who doesn't love someone else encouraging them to get a new bike, haha. My current bike is a Trek Checkpoint Gen 2 SL5.5. I say 5.5 because when I bought this bike I was using it as gravel with road set, and bought the Bontrager rims that come on the SL6. I would love to hear input as to should I just upgrade the drivetrain or if this bike is even a good choice for Unbound 200? I set a most likely unreasonably high goal of making top 200. So bike choice likely makes a meaningful impact in my overall time. I have this compulsion that I should buy from the LBS because of how often I ride with them, but maybe I should just get over that? Their brands are: Trek, Giant, Cervelo, Cannondale.

Attached is a quick spreadsheet for the beginning of the Unbound rider/support project?? Please look it over and comment any missing information. If you all agree I'd like to use Coffee Time next week to flesh out some ideas. There is plenty of information we'll need to add, this is just a start Already made some updates to Rev1 XLS