The AWOL felt lovely and sedate, like an old school tourer really, but with a bit more sturdiness. Would do very well loaded up as a gravel/road tourer or commuter, I reckon. One thing to bear in mind is that it weighs as much as an old school tourer
^ spot on, The AWOL is it’s ace, I have about 2,000 miles on mine now and I love it, but it is not light in bottem end trim, the frame and for aren’t actually that heavy for a steel bike of it’s type, but the Sora gear and ‘robust’ finishing kit weigh it down. The OEM wheels are actually flippin’ good on it though, not light, but sturdy and with nice wide rims, and if you adjust the cones on delivery (factory set with too much preload) then they are super smooth and reliable. The 2015 base model with front and rear racks and full metal guards, and bottle cages and chunky pedals comes in ~30lbs, naked it was ~26lbs, a future upgrade once the Sora has worn out and some lighter wheels would have it comfortably < 25lbs I reckon, 26-27lbs with full accessories which for what it is isn’t bad, but if you’re going for something more sporty and less for loaded carrying and offroad duties you might be better off looking at lighter options.
Tyre clearance on it is massive too, I managed to get a full on MTB knobbly 29×2.2 in without guards with no clearance issues, 29×2.0 would be doable with guards I think depending on tyres, I have either 38s or 42s fitted with full guards and the guards aren’t even mounted at full clearance so you have a lot of rubber options.
It is hands down the most stable bike I’ve ever owned, but still responsive and quicker than it has any right to be, especially offroad. It wears a front load or rear load very well (I actually prefer it front loaded given the choice), it’s actually surprisingly comfy too but great for carrying or towing too as it is stiff in the right directions at the back. The OEM racks are also decent (tubus F+R on last years, this years is Specialized’s own front rack), as are the guards so if you can get a deal on last years elite model it’s well worth it.
It’s also incredibly dull to look at, if that bothers you, although the white one this year is a bit brighter.
Oh, they size up big too, the top tubes are very long for each size so don’t be suprised if you end up on the size smaller than you expect when/if you try one out.
I’ve not ridden any of the others so will not comment on that aspect of them, but the Pinnacle Arkrose looks great to me, and very well and sensibly spec’d. That would probably be my ‘on paper’ choice if I couldn’t get a test ride on any of them.