So – thinking of getting a specialized AWOL as a do everything bike and will actually ditch my road bike and it is hardly used.

Has anyone got one? Or even seen one?

http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes/fitness/awol/awol-deluxe

Has anyone got one? Or even seen one?

There’s a certain irony to that comment 😉

They look incredible. Not useful sorry.

Check this out if you haven’t already.

http://theradavist.com/2014/01/product-review-the-specialized-edition-awol-transcontinental-touring-bike/#1

Yep, we sold one the other day. We love them. Shockingly ugly but good-ulgy not bad-ugly. Big high bars, solid accessories, and a bit of Darth Vader about them.

Toured Mull last weekend with a bloke riding an AWOL. He and his luggage were way over 100Kgs and the bike seemed underwhelmed. It had 42mm road tyres and crushed all before it. Bare bike was heavier than a chunky mtb but it did have an indestructible tonka toy charm about it. Visually quite well proportioned (the bike not him) and he rated the flared drops for comfort and control. Cable discs and normal spokes to simplify those middle of nowhere mechanicals too.

Not really a road bike replacement and would never be quick uphill.

Huge thread on CTC forum here http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=77786

They are somewhat crusty on there, but latest posts are showing people who have bought them and really liking them.

Some great videos here, this is the first one of four as they ride across Europe in the Transcontinental race.

Close to Salsa Vaya but takes the wider tyre of the Fargo.

Brian

Have a look here! I saw one in Brixton Cycles a while back and they look great. Really wanted to get one last year when I was looking for a new bike but they weren’t out then, so I got a Norco Indie Drop and built it very similar to the Transcontintal guys. I’m hoping they’ll make the frame only (Comp) option available in the UK at some point, that way I can just transfer all my bits over.

There’s one in my local shop and I thought it looked great. Understated so maybe a bit better for locking up in town but still look really good. I thought the kit was good for the price and it just looked like a well sorted bike, clearly some thought had gone into it – maybe especially for the UK? I’d have one for sure.