smilyanp

Hi everyone,

I promised to share some photos once I improve my setup on the new Specialized AWOL that I got sometime ago.

I've used ALPKIT dry bags and a framebag and handlebar harness from RESTRAP. Both are UK based, small companies. Restrap makes their stuff by hand and really though. The ALPKIT ones I've had for some time.

The only thing left is to add another bottle or "container" under the frame where the pump is staying at the moment. And the bigger investment is a dynamo hub with a Plug III stem for complete self-reliance.

All comments welcome, I hope you enjoy it. It's not the final, but the bigger chunk of the decisions and elements are there. I assume it will keep changing as I find better ways of doing things.

TiHabanero

What size panniers are going to be used?

BigAura

Very tight & nice!

Camping? Nothing on your back I hope!

52telecaster

makes me want to go on a tour tonight!

J.Higgins 

Nice looking rig. I consider my ECR an ever-changing work. Constantly upgrading and renewing, refreshing, and reworking. Always in motion. Sounds to me like you have the right philosophy.

smilyanp

Yes, I don't like to have stuff on my back. I try to put everything on the bike to carry the weight.

Thanks for the commenta, I am very excited ro give it an overnight ride in the next few weekends!

checoles

Love Alpkit and Restrap. Don't know if the Americans get that stuff over there though?
Nice to see a fellow Yorkshireman!
(I am East Yorkshire though, so we can't be friends until we meet a Lancashireman)

Lovely bike/kit. Get over to the East Coast. I can highly recommend Mappleton or Spurn Point if you fancy a coastal camp out.

smilyanp

No panniers for now (if I'm going on a longer winter-ish trip I can add the smaller 12l front panniers).

The handlebar harness holds a quilt, sleeping matt and a tent + a warm jacket.

The saddlebag can get much bigger than shown in the photo and will hold evening clothes for off the bike and sleeping, waterproofs, medical kit.

The frame bag will be electronics, wallet, bike tools and spares and some food, gloves, hat.

I will be wearing the cycling ones on me during the day.

skimaxpower

Then why keep the weight of the rear cargo rack? Remove it?

danmyersmn

I put a dynamo on my AWOL and loved it. I skipped the Plug for both Dynamo builds I did and went with a B&M Lumotec USB. You can pick it up on your side of the pond for cheaper than the plug from what I have found. Rose Bikes might be a great place to look for you. You get the USB charging, built in battery and a light. It's a pretty nice piece.

smilyanp

Just haven't gotten to it yet and use it to hold the lock on rides around the city.

smilyanp

Awesome info, thanks for that! Recommendations on dynamos?

danmyersmn

This is what I bought. I also had to go find a matching rear wheel because...well because https://www.bike24.com/1.php?content...5B1906%5D=1908

Timequake

Looks great! I've never seen a white AWOL before. Only the matte black ones, but I haven't been looking to closely. I really dig it. I'm sure you'll have many fun adventures with this bike.

BigFinner

That saddle bag looks massive? does it not cause your thighs to rub against it when pedaling? I have a tiny wedge seat pack I use and my wife has a slightly larger one than mine and she complains about it.

What kind of saddle is that? Looks like the concorde and a seat had a baby, ha. Just wondering as I am going to be needing a new one and I'm curious about it and how you like it?

Timequake

Well you see, when riding a bicycle, you actually sit on the seat not the rear rack. So no, it won't rub against his thighs.

smilyanp

Hey BigFinner,

The pack gets quite big, I think it's about 8L or a bit more. I have never actually filled it to capacity, but will be doing so in the coming trips as it will be part of the setup (usually I use it for day rides).

It doesn't really touch my thighs, but there are different ways of packing it. The part near the seatpost is a bit thicker and harder, so it doesn't "bloat" and expand. But I usually pack some rigid stuff at the back first, tools, etc. and then the clothes that can expand the pack more. This way it doesn't touch at all. Moreover, the legs don't really extend so much (I keep an angle in the knee in the lowest position), so the thigh is far from the bag overall. But good question, that's a common problem with these bags and before buying one you should always read reviews, people generally mention that as one of the first things.

The saddle

It is absolutely amazing, I love it. I had done about 4-5 thousand kilometres before that on a cheap saddle that a previous bike came with and the suffering I've gone through is indescribable. I was a noob, so I thought it is just me, but damn this new saddle made me re-discover cycling. I can now easily do 80-100km without real pain or suffering in the backside.

The model is either SELLE SMP PRO or just SELLE SMP. I am not sure, it doesn't really say on it and I forgot. Here is a link to the pro version: https://www.mantel.com/uk/selle-smp-pro-saddle

Mark Beaumont, the brit that just made a new world record for around the world cycling swears by it (at least in his first record, not sure what he's using now). From my experience - I recommend it. I didn't go for the Brooks as I didn't want to have to worry and maintain them, but I know others swear by them as well.

smilyanp

Hey Timequake, this one is Specialized AWOL Elite 2016. I think it was a limited batch, the others are more common, you're right, but I got this one as an ex-display with about 40% discount and couldn't miss the opportunity. So far I love it. I try to cycle every weekend and am training for longer distances. Can't get enough. It is brilliant both on and off the road. I've done some farm roads, dirt tracks, pure fields and grass, no problem. It's great on the road as well. I literally put on Google Maps - "Get me to X as a "bike"" and it start throwing all sorts of roads at me. With this bike I really don't care, I love exploring them.

J.Higgins 

I may have to spend the bux to get one of those saddles. It looks like it would totally eliminate the "dinkbone-taint disturbance" I get from riding aero bars.

*Rides off into the sunset humming a mutated version of "freeballin" with Tom Petty overnotes.*

BigFinner

Hi smilyanp,

Thats really interesting about the saddle. I'll have to look into it for sure!


Ha, I have my own little mutated version with the words "freeballin" as well. Wonder how many other guys out there also have their own.

smilyanp

Hahaha )

Which aero bars are you using? And do you like them?

I am considering getting them as I am into longer distances (aiming to do over 200km days) and I can feel how my hands are starting to get sore after 5 hours on the bike.

BobbyMo

Bike looks great. Nice job. (Fellow AWOL owner.) Let us know about your future adventures.

smilyanp

Will do! You can follow me on Strava as well: https://www.strava.com/athletes/24995143

I am training for a 300km (~185 miles) on my birthday next April. I am an amateur and am learning a lot by trial and error, however still enjoying the process.

J.Higgins 

These are the ones I am using right now.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I like them. They are rather lightweight - considering that they are alloy - but they are robust as well. Infinitely adjustable.

smilyanp

Awesome, these are the ones I was looking at as well because of the extra adjustability. Can you send a photo of your setup?