Starters dilemma (Marin 4 Corners or Trek Checkpoint or….)

Hi everyone,

Me and my partners love cycling and sporty holidays. We’re based in the Netherlands, so are cycling a lot. We’re did a few bike trips, for like a week to Germany, and in the Ardennes.

For next year we are planning to take more than half a year off and set out on bikes…. Our plan is to make our way to China via Central Asia. For this we want to change up our old and used bikes.

We are considering two bikes now:

-Marin 4 Corners 1 2026
-Trek Checkpoint ALR 4 Gen 3

We plan to travel with rear panniers and frame bags.

I’m at a loss on which one to pick, we’re changing our minds all the time, and hear/read conflicting things.

Which bike should I pick? Or do you have another suggestion?

Btw, is our idea to have the same bikes logical? We think it’ll be easier for repairs and spare parts.

My budget is between 1000 and maximum 1750 euros (if the bike quality is really much better we could stretch it a bit)

Thank you all!