Spesh AWOL?

Marx

Marx

Likes Dirt
In the market for an 'in betweens' bike: Commute, shopping, gravel, b-road hills, towing the Croozer, Singletrack exploring, etc.
Was originally going to go CX, but then there these gravel "all roads" bikes like Specialized Diverge & Giant's Revolt.

And then, there is this : Specialized AWOL, the Comp variant that has full hydro disks & 1x11 (11~42):

http://www.specialized.com/au/en-au/bikes/adventure/awol/awol-comp#specs

Asked some people 'bout them & got funny expressions. Do you have anything more for me on this bike than a funny expression?

What I like?
Monster tyres on a drop 'bar.
If i get bored, there is at least 4 other types of bikes this AWOL can be.
Looks kinda daggy, so I might be safe from kids who nick bikes left at the shops (panniers).
Is there somewhere I can't go with this bike?

Any opinions?
 
Marx

Marx

Likes Dirt
Oh no, more options!
The Jamis needs the top spec before it's full hydro brakes. (I've had TRP HyRd on a previous bike which gave me a headache or two).
 
S

si618

Likes Dirt
If it's mostly for commuting with only occasional bit of dirt and gravel, then ease of maintenance should probably be up there if you ride most days.

A carbon belt drive with internal geared hub is probably going to be my next bike. I have a 29er hardtail for commuting now, and whilst it's great for when I have time to hit the trails in the morning before work, having a hassle free bike i.e. no chain or suspension, would be great, especially in winter when I stay off the trails.
 
Marx

Marx

Likes Dirt
I worry about belt drive, it comes & it goes from so many forms of transport.

I haven't heard back on availability of the AWOL yet, so it might all come to naught. (I hate this about living in Australia, you always have to make sure there's availability, we need to go 'cap in hand' & just hope for basic access to what is freely available anywhere else overseas.)
 
Ky1e

Ky1e

Likes Bikes and Dirt
I grabbed a Roubaix comp disc for a similar purpose, still running the 25's but plan to go to a 30/32 when they wear out.

What about a diverge?
 
Marx

Marx

Likes Dirt
Sorry, just realized that I'm doing this wrong.
I should be listing my issues in considering this bike (Specialized AWOL) in the hope that someone out there has some first hand experience & could enlighten me.

Specialized AWOL Comp.
http://www.specialized.com/au/en-au/bikes/adventure/awol/awol-comp

Frame - long top tube & tall headtube, is the geo really weird compared to a regular drop 'bar (relaxed/touring/CX) bike, and can slamming/flipping the stem etc make things worse handling wise?
Also, sure the frame is chromoly, but does it actually 'feel' noticeably heavy?
Swinger dropouts - Would these pivoting dropouts be likely to ....creak?
Brakes - SRAM Rival 22 hydraulic disc brakes: Are SRAM hydraulic brake woes behind them with these?


Thanks.
 
A

al_

Likes Dirt
This might get you in the mood?

A friend who works for specialised reckons they are inexplicably heavy for what they are, but that probably isn't the end of the world.
 
mitchy_

mitchy_

Llama calmer
if a belt can be used for 100,000km as a timing belt... i'm sure they're fine for a push bike.


i can't remember the details, but i think Giant have an offering too... Giant Anyroad Max i think?
 
Marx

Marx

Likes Dirt
I think sense is starting to filter into this issue of mine. There is a new contender, the Diverge, and quite frankly everytime I think of something new I want this new bike of mine will be called upon to do, the Diverge gets a tick.
But then it makes my roadie (Wilier Laverado) superflous.

Just want to say that it's not all about Specialized, with my initial criteria of: a drop 'bar with full hydro disks, can take wider tyres (up to 35mm?); virtually everything else is either more expencive or just not available for me to buy.
 
Snockers

Snockers

Likes Bikes
I think I can relate to your intended use/s, I do >100km of mixed bike path and gravel commuting every week on my Surly Straggler, and fairly regularly use it for gravel/singletrack riding, and even some pretty solid road miles. I had this awesome epiphany the first time I did a Kinglake loop on it (clockwise), I got as far as Eltham and realised I could get on the Yarra trails to get home!

I've seen a few articles on the AWOL over at The Radavist, but I think I'm yet to see one of those bikes over here? The Diverge seems to be a great bike for b-roads/gravel, not sure how well it'd cope with any occasional singletrack escapade though?

A mate of mine got a Kona Rove recently, which seems very similar to the Straggler, but cheaper. Neither have hydro discs though, but I've been using Avid BB7's and they've not yet left me wanting hydro's as yet. I really like the look of the new Kona Roadhouse, which looks more akin to the Diverge.
 
silentbutdeadly

silentbutdeadly

has some good things to say
There's also the Norco Search and/or Threshold.

I do 'some' singletrack on my CX and the ghettograveller but neither have the tyre capacity to do it justice...they really need to have 50mm tyres for that. Which won't fit.

Most of these so called adventure bikes also don't have the tyres and driveline for the gravel...except the Kona Rove ST (that'd be my pick for my location)
 
R

rsclio

Likes Dirt
I tried out a Awol at Velo cycles earlier in the year
I liked it but was looking for frame only and ended up on a straggler
Also tried Jake the snake and a doublecross
Awol riding position was very comfy
 
foxpuppet

foxpuppet

Eats Squid
silentbutdeadly said:
they really need to have 50mm tyres for that. Which won't fit.

Most of these so called adventure bikes also don't have the tyres and driveline for the gravel...except the Kona Rove ST (that'd be my pick for my location)
Click to expand...
That's why I mentioned the poler x awol - it's got a wider fork and rear stays to accommodate wider Tyres vs the normal awol model. Up to 29x2.0" depending on the tread & your wheels
 
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Marx

Marx

Likes Dirt
Yep.
Gotta make a decision, and it was the Diverge.
It comes with 700x28 Roubaix tyres, whatever those are. Can take to to 35, which I might go for. Crankset is compct 50/34. It's an extra $1k for carbon frame, which I've not gone for.
I'll see where it can go & how much fun it is.
 
JTmofo

JTmofo

XC Enthusiast
Marx said:
Yep.
Gotta make a decision, and it was the Diverge.
It comes with 700x28 Roubaix tyres, whatever those are. Can take to to 35, which I might go for. Crankset is compct 50/34. It's an extra $1k for carbon frame, which I've not gone for.
I'll see where it can go & how much fun it is.
Click to expand...
I have a Diverge (Base A1 model) for commuting and general road riding.
Runs 700x30 Specialized Espoir tyres, low end Claris 8 speed stuff but its a right laugh to ride.

Hops gutters, pot holes, rips on gravel, you name it! Comfy, fast enough to ride with the lycra brigade and ideal for a daily basher!
 
Benny Storer

Benny Storer

Likes Bikes
Diverge A1

Another vote for the Specialized Diverge A1. Mine's been upgraded a fair bit, 105 11spd, Thomson, Fizik etc. Thrash the shit out of it on dirt with Trigger 33s shoes on. Perfect manners on gravel roads with Roubaix 32s kicks. Buy one, they're rad.

12182505_958731447554620_2946426330949030489_o.jpg
 
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