Some bikes (Specialized AWOL and Curve GXR) and a lot of DIY bikepacking bags and racks.

Headset/spacer stack is gold.

I had binding issues as well and used a couple of thin shim washers to lift the to bearing cover away from the head tube.

Bike is starting to look great.

Thanks! Will give that a go before resorting to facing. Cranks look a little too chunky but I was drawn in by the range of possible chainring sizes and axels etc.

Might try and find a set of the old Dura ace cranks that look so nice on the Fern builds:

Similar look to those are the cheaper deore LX 110bcd cranks...

My Deore LX with that look is 94BCD. Do 110mm exist?

Yes. @spotter show'em!

FC-M550 (FC = fucking cool)

Quite possibly the prettiest square taper utility crank evert made... If you discard the chain rings

I had some of them powder coated and put them on my partners bike

I am gonna get some and engrave them DEORE-ACE

Very nice indeed! This is the FC-M550 model?

110bcd definitely trumps 130.

what crank arm length would you need? I once again might have something

I’m a 170mm guy but I’m also curious about 165mm, let me know!

Spotter‘s are Fc-m650/mt60 (DX), same shape as the xt fc-m730 but without the shimano engraving.

Christian Deore, very boutique…

Ath yes and they are actually that nicer shape. They are the ones I meant

Not as nice as the shimano options, but these SPA cranks are very cheap
https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m8b0s109p5160/SPA-CYCLES-RD2-TA-Single-Chainset
https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m8b0s109p4544/SPA-CYCLES-TD2-TA-Single-Chainset

I have a set and they have a sugino mark. Don't know if they're just unbranded suginos, or if they're made from old sugnio molds.

I have them on two of my bikes

Really like the Muddy Fox! Is that a sneaky hammock set in the background of the 1st pic?

You got FC-M563, the same looking 110BCD ones are FC-M560 - I think they were only produced for a year in 1993 when people still thought MTBs need 46 tooth chainrings.
Agreed that MT60s are even better looking. M550s are very similar to MT60, but with horrible chainrings.

Was fortunate enough to be in the University bike workshop last year when some people were filming a build video and asked if the camera person could take some pics of my Curve that I was tidying up the cable routing on. These are nicer pictures than I could hope to take by a long way.

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This was the frame I had modified for the internal Di2 and then touched up with spray paint. One day I would like to have it properly repainted but I think I'll wait a bit yet.

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The last half a year has been hectic, with two apartment moves (one internationally), and then living out of a duffel bag for a 6 week research trip in Peru followed by academic conferences. But now settling into being in Berlin for the majority of my time.

It’s long overdue but the AWOL is finally rideable!

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Found some Shimano m730 cranks which are a much better fit than the cannondale ones.

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Splurged on some fancy bar tape but there was some post-purchase justification when I found that one set is actually enough for two pairs of bars. I think the colour works well with the frame.

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Last jobs:

• Trim the steerer
  
• Wire up the dynamo lights
  
• Shorter axle BB
  
• Maybe less shouty tyres
  
• Some wide mudguards: Got a saved search for 2nd hand Honjos but the super wide PDWs are much more available.
  
• Winter time will hopefully be bag-making time but I’m also supposed to be finalising my PhD…
  
  

Oh and a pair of Hulsroy bottle cages are inbound

I'd keep it as it is because it's already a very solid build, but at the same i can't wait to see all these upgrades coming up!

Lovely bike and lovely thread, probably one of the nicest Awols I've ever seen

Wow! That turned out suuuper nice.

Cages are with the electro polisher and I will be shipping them to you early next week!