Adventure bike – Specialized AWOL

How does that loading layout handle? Is that mat, tent/bivi and pad on the back, then food and clothes and fuel in the low loaders on the front? Cheers.

Yep, that's how it was loaded. Made it pretty balanced and it seems like a good way to do it. On the straights and climbs it feels like you'd expect: tank-like. Downhill however, was a real surprise to me. It was superb on fast gravel stretches. Even on switchbacks you could come in fast, hog the rear brake and slide through. Great fun.

I can definitely get used to this.

Not much news otherwise. I'm still waiting for the handlebar bag, which will make it a bit more practical. Also removed the inner pockets on the Ortlieb front rollers. Shaved off a whooping 120 gr.

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Spotted an awol poler edition on the way home tonight.

Looked great

really nice man

what kind of rack on the rear please?

Thanks guys.

The rear rack is a Tubus Fly in stainless steel.

Only discovered this thread by chance over the weekend... Probably never clicked on it because it said "specialized" on it... How stupidly snob and uneducated of me! Awesome bike!

First big trip is only two weeks away. Taking the boat to Copehagen and pedaling to Prague. Can't wait.

Ordered the last few bits to get ready for the trip: a Fizik Aliante saddle and an Ortlieb Ultimate6 Plus handlebar bag.

I've been on a few more camping trips in the woods and I really enjoy the bike. But I've figured that the bike in its current state is great for the bigger trips on the road. However, the way I normally use it is heading up into the woods after work and heading back the morning after. Or going deeper in the weekends. So when I'm back I'll do some modifications. I've ordered a seatbag and I'll ditch the fenders (I'm not going camping when the forecast is shit). Will get the AWOL pizza/lowrider rack from Specialized when it's available and I'll fit the biggest tires I can squeeze in. Should be fun and more suited for the woods.

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A snap from the previous trip. Only a 45 min commute to work in the morning. I recon 2" tires and no fenders will manage better, although the 35c Paselas handles it surprisingly well.

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Nicceeee! The big trip sounds fantastic! What's your planned route?

Copenhagen to the south of Sjælland and the ferry over to Rostock. Then pretty much straight ahead via Berlin. We haven't really planned more than that. I hear it's a pretty common route for touring cyclists, so should be fine.

We did Copenhagen to Prague in 2013 - if you are curious about route ask along.

Ps. Sunday we are going Copenhagen - Riga.

Cool! Would love some tips, just send me a PM.

great thread

dreamy stuff

Ready!

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Great zombieappocalyse escape wessel

Yeah this is looking rad as fuck.
Pretty jealous

That's a really tidy build.

Where'd you get the camo tape from?

Google only supplies me with years old eBay links.

Here's one, he's got other camo/splash type bartape as well.

Nice bike btw!

Seriously cool this. Makes me want to go camping in some frozen Scandinavian woods.

It's not very nice there, the locals can be unfriendly.