Specialized AWOL

A comment on the recent post of "New Gravel Bikes" asks where the Specialized AWOL fits into the0 gravel picture.

quote: "I was wondering where the Specialized AWOL fits into the picture? Gravel grinder? Tourer?"

Thoughts for the reader?

Coming soon...
 

I think it depends on where you ride. Unless you have extremely winding roads(highly unlikely), the AWOL is going to do fine. I think its geometry is directed towards the touring crowd, but stability won't hurt you on gravel/dirt roads. If you plan on taking it on really winding singletrack I might suggest something more in line with a cyclocross bike.

BTW Blues that looks like a solid start to an AWOL build.

Just returned from a 4 day camping mini-adventure in New England: 423 miles, 15,000 ft climbing. Mixed surfaces, paved to dirt logging roads. Soma Cazadero 42mm tires. Stable comfortable ride, what I'd expect from a long wheelbase steel touring bike.

           

Nice looking set up uncool! 
Did you use a tent? 

Tent? Yes. New England weather can get wet and cold this time of year and I like a roomy 2 man tent when things get nasty. At 66 I want my creature comforts. Minimalist bikepacking is for kids willing to suffer.

I narrowed my tent  choice to Rei 1/4 dome or Kelty trail logic 2
whatever you have packed up nice in the pic

Got it built up. Only rode it enough to set in the brakes. It felt good, but I'll find out Sunday how it works on gravel roads.

just built by Benny Watson, on Flickr

 

Love the bottle cap!

What do you think of the Iron Cross wheelset? Namely, weight and degrees of engagement?

JoeFriday wrote: 

Love the bottle cap!

What do you think of the Iron Cross wheelset? Namely, weight and degrees of engagement?

The cap is from a bottle of Exit 4 Tripel from Flying Fish Brewery in New Jersey, a gift from friends who take that exit from the N.J. Turnpike. Great beer!

The wheels seem very light and they have remained true through a lot of gravel miles on the Crux they were on before. I am not very sensitive to degrees of engagement, so all I can say is I have not noticed them being any worse or better than any other wheels I've ridden.

I rode the AWOL last weekend on a couple of gravel rides, the Sac O Suds and the Fried Green Fifty, both out of Juliette, GA.. The first a 44 mile ride on mostly hard packed red clay roads scattered lightly with gravel with rolling hills on a cool and overcast day. The second the next day, a 28 mile ride (short version) in the rain on well drained crush and run gravel covered roads with several punchy climbs and a few creek crossings. The bike performed great on both rides. Stable and comfortable in the rough parts and fast and smooth on the hard pack.

I had changed the wheels to Specialized Control Carbon 29 with 1.95 Renegade Control tires mounted tubeless with Stan's sealant. Probably overkill for these rides, but it sure looks badass and it gave me lots of confidence on the fast descents and muddy curves.

SOS by Benny Watson, on Flickr

SOS by Benny Watson, on Flickr

FG by Benny Watson, on Flickr

FG by Benny Watson, on Flickr

FG by Benny Watson, on Flickr

I took the AWOL out for a long solo mostly dirt and gravel road ride Sunday. It was a beautiful day and I got to get a good feel for how the bike works for me. I am leaning toward thinking that this bike is turning out to be a great solution to my want for a comfortable and capable bike for very long rides on a wide range of surfaces.

n06 by Benny Watson, on Flickr

Big rubber. Specialized Renegade Control 1.95 set up tubeless
n04 by Benny Watson, on Flickr

n09 by Benny Watson, on Flickr

n10 by Benny Watson, on Flickr

Trail Magic
n01 by Benny Watson, on Flickr

n02 by Benny Watson, on Flickr

Nice report, bike Blues Dawg \nRenegades are my fav \nCurious why you did not go with a more flared drop bar ?

That's a Salsa Cowbell 2. It has  12 degree flare and has been a favorite of mine for gravel. If I didn't already have this bar, I probably would have tried the new Cowchipper which has more flare, but I'm happy with the Cowbell for now.

Thanks I didn't realize thought it was a Spesh bar.

nice...

What kind of seat bag is that?   Looks nice and functional..

Bsfdivider wrote:What kind of seat bag is that?   Looks nice and functional..

Banjo Brothers Saddle Trunk

It has worked pretty well for me for carrying extra tubes, clothing, food or water. The attachment straps could be a little more secure and stable, but they do OK.

Nice - very nice. 

Thanks for the info.