Specialized AWOL
- Thread starter iLB
- Start date
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Just for clarification... http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes/road/awol/awol-elite#specs
Isla Valassi
Veteran
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
PaulSecteur
No longer a Specialized fanboy
- Location
- Walsall, West Mids.
@iLB
I have one!
Not been able to get out much on it though with work, the weather and Uni. I use it mainly on canal tow path rides and its perfect for that.
What I like
The ride - very smooth and quiet.
Build - seems very tough.
Riding position - comfy (But I changed the seat for my usual Romin with a pave seatpost)
The mudguards - Do a good job on claggy paths. Good clearance so don't get clogged up.
The Groupset - Ok, so Sora aint as slick as Tiagra and above, but it kind of suits the bike. And as its used in rough conditions Sora is cheaper hen replacements are needed.
What I don't like
Weight - Shes a bit hefty (A by-product of the tank like build)
Wheels - Heavy, but again, tough.
What I have changed
As mentioned, I have put a Romin saddle with a pave seatpost on. Nowt wrong with the OEM stuff, but I have a Romin shaped arse and a spare romin so it made sense.
I do a lot of tow path riding, and that means going through the anti-motorbike obstacles. With the full length rear guard and the flap that made wheeling her round on the back wheel difficult, so I chopped bout 4 inches off and re-attached the flap. still looks the same but easier to manoeuvre. It took a while to cut through the guard with a vibrating saw.
What Im thinking of changing
The low gear is 30 chainring and 32 on the cassette. That is a low gear but Im hefty too, and not a great climber. I have thought of looking out for an MTB chainset with smaller cogs, or getting an MTB rear mech with a 36 cassette as if I do have a panniers and a decent grade I would like to spin more.
The bb7s on mine are decent enough, but I hear the TRP spyres on this years are better, so I might get some of those, but Im in no rush for that.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Paul
EDIT:
Just in case you haven't seen these...
http://wearegoingawol.tumblr.com/
http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=77786
View: https://vimeo.com/80636312
View: https://vimeo.com/81821776
View: https://vimeo.com/82465189
View: https://vimeo.com/83397300
I have one!
Not been able to get out much on it though with work, the weather and Uni. I use it mainly on canal tow path rides and its perfect for that.
What I like
The ride - very smooth and quiet.
Build - seems very tough.
Riding position - comfy (But I changed the seat for my usual Romin with a pave seatpost)
The mudguards - Do a good job on claggy paths. Good clearance so don't get clogged up.
The Groupset - Ok, so Sora aint as slick as Tiagra and above, but it kind of suits the bike. And as its used in rough conditions Sora is cheaper hen replacements are needed.
What I don't like
Weight - Shes a bit hefty (A by-product of the tank like build)
Wheels - Heavy, but again, tough.
What I have changed
As mentioned, I have put a Romin saddle with a pave seatpost on. Nowt wrong with the OEM stuff, but I have a Romin shaped arse and a spare romin so it made sense.
I do a lot of tow path riding, and that means going through the anti-motorbike obstacles. With the full length rear guard and the flap that made wheeling her round on the back wheel difficult, so I chopped bout 4 inches off and re-attached the flap. still looks the same but easier to manoeuvre. It took a while to cut through the guard with a vibrating saw.
What Im thinking of changing
The low gear is 30 chainring and 32 on the cassette. That is a low gear but Im hefty too, and not a great climber. I have thought of looking out for an MTB chainset with smaller cogs, or getting an MTB rear mech with a 36 cassette as if I do have a panniers and a decent grade I would like to spin more.
The bb7s on mine are decent enough, but I hear the TRP spyres on this years are better, so I might get some of those, but Im in no rush for that.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Paul
EDIT:
Just in case you haven't seen these...
http://wearegoingawol.tumblr.com/
http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=77786
View: https://vimeo.com/80636312
View: https://vimeo.com/81821776
View: https://vimeo.com/82465189
View: https://vimeo.com/83397300
PaulSecteur
No longer a Specialized fanboy
- Location
- Walsall, West Mids.
Just found this video, which shows it loaded up and on muddy terrain.
Not in English, but he seems to like it.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J6XQmfWVJY
Not in English, but he seems to like it.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J6XQmfWVJY
Ticktockmy
Guru
- Location
- Crawley, West Sussex
Spec seems ok, I smiled when they say about the missing link , "reusable Missing Link" I think they meant the power link..LOL when you say a big tour, seeing it has 29" wheels I would be a little worried about finding 29" wheels in some parts of the world, which could bring delays in travel plans having to ship spares can be expensive, I would go for 26" wheels if you are travelling outside of Europe. or maybe I am just being a Luddite..LOL
PaulSecteur
No longer a Specialized fanboy
- Location
- Walsall, West Mids.
Cubist
Still wavin'
- Location
- Ovver 'thill
Yep, 700c and 29ers are the same 622mm diameter.
The 29ers bit is simply Mtb world jargon. They're actually 28 1/2". Tyre fitment and crossover/interchangeability will depend on rim width and frame clearance.