I'm down to the final two bikes; will be deciding by tomorrow morning. The AWOL COMP or the TriCross

[zaichev]

What I'll be using it for:

* Mostly commuting
* The occasional long ride out into the wilderness/camping
* Maybe, someday, a race

Why I like the AWOL:

* It's indestructible, or at least near there... I could be rough with it
* Steel means I might be able to sell it for more later (compared to carbon)
* It weighed at 26 pounds-- this was the large model (I need a medium) with inferior steel. One size smaller, and with the lighter steel that comes with the COMP model, it should weigh a bit less. (The Tricross was 22 pounds.)
* It was super smooth to ride
* It can handle weight-- I'll need to be carrying 20lbs of groceries once in awhile.

Cons:

* It didn't feel as "zippy" as the TriCross
* It's a tad bit more expensive


Why I liked the Tricross

* It felt zippy-- I felt faster, or accelerated faster
* It's (maybe) a better commuter bike

What I disliked about the Tricross:

* It had inferior breaks
* I could feel every little bump
* It's probably not a great choice for camping/getting groceries


What would you do?

 

[raleighnut]

Steel every time.

 

[SteCenturion]

Can't help as I don't have the requisite knowledge of commuter/touring type bikes, but enjoy your new bike & good luck with making the 'right' decision.

 

[young Ed]

i would say AWOL
by the sounds of it you aren't training for TDF or your main goal is strava KOM's
good brakes are an essential
you can commute on anything, i have seen my brother commute on a shoot BSO that you would have to pay someone to take it and i have seen some commute on a carbon £1000+ road bike
Cheers Ed

 

[young Ed]

i can find the awol on the spec website but not the tricross, could you give us a link please?

awol link:
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/road/awol/awol#features
Cheers Ed

 

[Genau]

I would say AWOL because I've just bought one! I've only had a brief 20 km run out on it but it's all good so far.

It's going to be the winter commuter so the pannier rack, big tyres and general heft, comfort and solidity are all plus points for me. It definitely takes quite a bit more effort to get those 700x42 tyres moving compared to the 23s on the Allez I use for summer commuting but hopefully they'll stick to the ground a bit better when the cold comes. Having said that, I got it up to a respectable speed on flat tarmac.

I'm intend to start using the alternative route to work down the gravel tracks in the woods which it managed with no problems today. It's just a matter of whether I'll be brave enough to do it in the spooky darkness at 6:00 a.m. That route is borderline mountain bike conditions in parts and was just too muddy and bumpy for the Allez.

I've put a couple of Carradice panniers on it so it is looking particularly darned fine in my opinion.

 

[Specialeyes]

I think Specialized would say AWOL too, as they seem to have downplayed the Tricross in favour of the AWOL and Crux.

 

[newbiecycler]

Hi all AWOL users - could you help me with sizing? I'm 5'11.5 female with 33" inseam. Which AWOL? Are any of you of similar height/dimensions to me? I've sat on a large but LBS won't build a med for me to try so I'm afraid it needs to be guesswork.

 

[raleighnut]

I'm a fella but am about the same size as you and I'd be looking at the large, as long as you have 'standover' height.
If they've got a large I'd be asking for a test ride on it to check it wasn't too long to be comfortable.

 

[samsbike]

+1. To trying the large out.

I am of similar dimensions and based on the geometry charts I would get a medium, as getting a large would mean a 60mm or less stem for me, which I do not like.
Its geometry is a bit weird in that they have very long top tubes and I simply prefer a top tube of around 560mm,

 

[Saluki]

Hi all AWOL users - could you help me with sizing? I'm 5'11.5 female with 33" inseam. Which AWOL? Are any of you of similar height/dimensions to me? I've sat on a large but LBS won't build a med for me to try so I'm afraid it needs to be guesswork.

Go to a different LBS and try one in your size. An expensive mistake if you get it wrong