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163 Posts
Anyone have any more information on the new AWOL gravel grinder?
Frame geometries, weights etc
? THE AWOL
Brian
Frame geometries, weights etc
? THE AWOL
Brian
Specialized AWOL gravel grinder
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402 Posts
Overlap, yes, but there are several important differences which, for me, make the AWOL a much more attractive choice for gravel road riding. Taller headset, lower bottom bracket, better frame material on the Comp model and wider tire capability. Looking forward to seeing the geometry chart for specifics, but this is looking a lot like the bike I thought I was going to need to have built custom.
I agree! I just don't know where the TriCross fits in their lineup now- where is it's niche?
(I'm finding a lot of irony in that I was looking for a gravel/commuter over the last few months and finally last week purchased a Kona Rove... ah well- I have too many Spesh bikes already, I guess...)
(I'm finding a lot of irony in that I was looking for a gravel/commuter over the last few months and finally last week purchased a Kona Rove... ah well- I have too many Spesh bikes already, I guess...)
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163 Posts
Here are the geo charts for AWOL
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Weights fully equipped with racks seem to be around 32lbs which is slightly disappointing.
Brian
Weights fully equipped with racks seem to be around 32lbs which is slightly disappointing.
Brian
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163 Posts
I fell between a medium and large Fargo, and opted for the large at 580mm effective top tube. Feels great for reach but slightly big overall, so a medium AWOL would be good at 575 ETT and 75mm stem I think.
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163 Posts
Weight is around 31 lbs.
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163 Posts
Reply from AWOL team is that it is wet painted covered with wet painted satin clear coat in a colour they call Gunmetal. Sounds perfect for the bike.
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2,337 Posts
Seems like a lot of these drop bar adventure bikes are getting with mountain bike sensibilities.
Just test rode a base model at my LBS and it was pretty nice. Didn't get a chance to weigh it but it was a steel bike with big tires. It came with some Spec branded 42c cross style tire. I rode it around and it was nice and stiff, but definitely a steel bike. I would really like to try the Reynolds steel version though as it didn't have that light bling steel feel.
The long top tube short stem is the business IMO, but that's how I like my bikes. The bar is short reach with shallow flared drop like a Salsa cowbell. Really nice set-up and honestly too cool to be a Specialized. Only thing that that would make it nicer is having Rival or Ultegra and maybe a tad lighter but that would double the price. R785/Ultegra Cross drivetrain and some carbon wheels with the Reynolds steel frame would be boss. You could also run the Comp model with a belt drive and an internal hub. Alfine Di2 and R785 belt drive would be a interesting set up. I heard there might be a "Specialized Edition" with a belt drive Alfine hub coming. It's got all the typical touring bike mounts for bottles and racks.
I wanted to see how big a tire would fit and just for giggles I fitted a set of Roval Control carbon 29er wheels with Captain 2.0 tires and it totally fit! That's a 28mm wide rim. Front and back fully fit with clearance and you could probably run a 45c with fenders. I didn't take a picture of it. I didn't have my phone on me, but I'm planning on grabbing a photo sometime this week.
The long top tube short stem is the business IMO, but that's how I like my bikes. The bar is short reach with shallow flared drop like a Salsa cowbell. Really nice set-up and honestly too cool to be a Specialized. Only thing that that would make it nicer is having Rival or Ultegra and maybe a tad lighter but that would double the price. R785/Ultegra Cross drivetrain and some carbon wheels with the Reynolds steel frame would be boss. You could also run the Comp model with a belt drive and an internal hub. Alfine Di2 and R785 belt drive would be a interesting set up. I heard there might be a "Specialized Edition" with a belt drive Alfine hub coming. It's got all the typical touring bike mounts for bottles and racks.
I wanted to see how big a tire would fit and just for giggles I fitted a set of Roval Control carbon 29er wheels with Captain 2.0 tires and it totally fit! That's a 28mm wide rim. Front and back fully fit with clearance and you could probably run a 45c with fenders. I didn't take a picture of it. I didn't have my phone on me, but I'm planning on grabbing a photo sometime this week.
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2,337 Posts
If you're wanting something that should ride similarly but not support the big S, check out the Surly Straggler. It's got the same mondo long top tube/short stem drop bar tourer geometry with clearance for 29x2.0 tires front and rear (I've actually put a 2.2 Ikon on the front of mine for added cushion).
I would prefer not to support Spec., but the AWOL seems much better suited for bike travel than the Straggler, or the upcoming and very pretty Soma Wolverine. The AWOL's head tube is a good deal taller, and the sloping top tube allows for the kind of seatpost extension you need for the larger bikepacking saddle bags.
If the AWOL rides just like an LHT (reliable but plodding), then it'll be just okay for me. If, on the other hand, it rides more like a Vaya (faster and more fun to pedal), just with proper tire clearance for dirt tours, I'll be all over it.
There seems to be an opening for a 29" disc touring bike with major tire clearance that doesn't ride like a pig, so we'll see if the AWOL is it.
If the AWOL rides just like an LHT (reliable but plodding), then it'll be just okay for me. If, on the other hand, it rides more like a Vaya (faster and more fun to pedal), just with proper tire clearance for dirt tours, I'll be all over it.
There seems to be an opening for a 29" disc touring bike with major tire clearance that doesn't ride like a pig, so we'll see if the AWOL is it.
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