Specialized AWOL gravel grinder off road tourer

[BrianP]

Lots of info here http://wearegoingawol.tumblr.com/THE%20AWOL

[foxyrider]

So its a steel framed Tricross with dodgy brakes

[honesty]

2 things. There is already a steel tricross, they just don't bring it to the UK for some reason. I wouldn't call BB7s dodgy.

seems like a direct competitor of the Salsa Fargo.

[mrjemm]

So its a steel framed Tricross with dodgy brakes

What have you got against BB7s Foxy? Or is it cable discs in general? I recall you moaning about the brakes on the Sutra recently also. A lot of people, including myself, rate them highly.

Likewise, a lot of people would consider a steel frame an advantage also. But then what do I know, I ride steel bikes with BB7s... I must be a fool.

And looking at a Tricross, it's not really so similar. OK it's a Specialised with drop bars and knobbly tyres... Are all Specialised road bikes essentially the same too?

[irc]

So its a steel framed Tricross with dodgy brakes

Are we looking at the same bikes? The AWOL has a far longer head tube getting the bars high where I like them - personal preference of course. Clearance for 700x42s. Can the Tricross take tyres that big. Sensible low gears unlike the Tricross. I see very little similarities between the Tricross and the AWOL. Out the two I'd buy the AWOL.

[fatboy]

I know folks might disagree but the gearing isn't low enough for fully loaded touring.

[mrjemm]

2 things. There is already a steel tricross, they just don't bring it to the UK for some reason. I wouldn't call BB7s dodgy.

seems like a direct competitor of the Salsa Fargo.

I'd say the vaya (that I have), being more skinny than the fargo... But generally aimed at Salsa- gravel being warbird (or collosal?) and the dropouts being alternator, and think they were building the vaya with apex too (I did my own with it, bit soon changed to a triple, which anyone can of course do).

Looks interesting, if not original, but then that's not important if it is a good bike.

[BrianP]

Browsing the website link, it seems there is a new European version of the Great Divide race which two of these bikes are entering. http://wearegoingawol.tumblr.com/therace

the race bikes, this one with Alfine and belt drive.



Here's the fully spec'd std version



For older riders like me, who have back issues, these higher front end bikes are terrific. When I first saw the pictures of a Fargo I thought it looked really strange,



but I now have a Fargo, and it's just so much more comfortable for me, handlebars level or even above the saddle, it just feels instantly right.

Brian

[pioneer]

I'm all for these sort of bikes myself. Plenty of choice is a good thing IMO. I'd love a Salsa Fargo but can't justify the expense. If Specialized are entering the fray, then great. It's not going to be a rubbish bike after all is it?

[mrjemm]

I will say that those guys and their bikes on that link are very... erm, looky looky, we're all about the looky. Raw steel and wanting it to rust? Hmmm. Wally.

And that multi coloured one above looks like some Ti earrings my sister had in the early eighties.

'The Race' http://www.transcontinentalrace.com/ appears to be organised by the Adventurists http://www.theadventurists.com/ , the lot who started the questionable Mongol Rally, excuse for a bunch of middle class gap-yearers to fester their way over to Ulan Batoor, dumping beer cans and other rusty junk along the way, whilst smugly claiming to be 'charitably' donating marvellous western automotives on an unsuspecting population of noble savages/uncivilised heathens (how the ya kids seem to view the idea, not my viewpoint). What a bunch of... flippers.

Aesthetically, this new bike looks like the Vaya Travel to me-



No S&S couplings though or SS construction. Still love this bike. When I am rich...

[Ayesha]

Having high positioned handlebars on an 'off-roader' means more chance of smacking your teeth out.

[samsbike]

I just read the specs and I rather like it and it has some nice reynolds tubing. A good competitor to the genesis croix de fer, but it remains to see how specialized price it.

I can see why they did it, they could not have missed the niche Surly and Salsa are forging and to me its seems everything a Salsa Casseroll would grow up to be.

[reohn2]

Having high positioned handlebars on an 'off-roader' means more chance of smacking your teeth out.

Having the bars too low off road,means you get the pleasure of a sore neck and shoulders before going over the top on a steep descent,then knocking yer teef out .

[reohn2]

..............Aesthetically, this new bike looks like the Vaya Travel to me.............

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

The real deal:-
http://salsacycles.com/bikes/vaya_3/
http://salsacycles.com/bikes/vaya/
http://salsacycles.com/bikes/vaya_travel/

[BrianP]

Seems there is clearance for 2.2 tyres. More here http://www.bikerumor.com/2013/07/17/201 ... sc-for-cx/

Price is $700 for frameset. There is a market for IGH Fargo/Vaya, including myself. Genesis Fortitude Adventure has too low a front end for me.

Brian