richard4993

Hello everybody, I am considering the two bikes above. What are your thoughts on these models?

fietsbob

ride both form your own opinion .. read the specs compare components.

Surly is a taiwan made steel frame , specialized gets another company to make their bikes

have a specilized dealer you like, they probably have a QBP account to order in surlys.

Financial difference , here Dealer gets credit from Trek , QBP ships after charging a bank credit card.

Tim_Iowa

I haven't ridden either, but the reviews seem to prefer the Straggler because it's lighter and rides like it. Folks are criticizing the AWOL for riding slow and heavy.

But everyone has different preferences, so you should ride them both. Personally, I love the crazy magenta color of the Straggler (although black is also an option)

Jarrett2

I have the AWOL and I've never seen the Straggler before. I can answer stuff about the AWOL though.

Jarrett2

I have the large AWOL and with pedals, ready to ride it is around 25-26lbs or so. Smaller sizes will likely be lighter. I've also heard that the Comp and xPoler models are lighter than the base model by a bit due to different steels used and lighter components.

I put some 32mm road tires on it and use it as a touring bike. I also use it when I ride with my girlfriend. For that purpose, I put some 25 or 28mm tires on it and remove the racks. I've done 50, 60, 80+ mile rides on it. It's very comfortable. The gearing makes it easy to get up big hills. The ride is so smooth it got me hooked on steel bikes. The BB7's stop like a champ and are easy to adjust. The 12 degree flare bars on the AWOL are also cool.

If you dig the AWOL, you might also check out the Salsa Vaya. It appears that Specialized essentially made a copy of that bike. Salsa offers some higher end options that Specialized does not on their model. Since I have a good relationship with my local Specialized dealer (and because they made me a hell of a trade offer) the AWOL was a no brainer for me.

hairnet

From my understanding the AWOL is a touring bike while the Straggler is "light touring" road/CX bike. I have a Staggler and while I can put a rack and panniers it lacks the wheel base of a full on touring bike. Not the fastest thing on the road but it is rides nicely on dirt.

winston63 

The AWOL is definitely a touring bike. I've been riding an AWOL Comp for a year now, and like Jarrett2 says the ride of the bike has me rethinking steel as a frame material: I was all set to get a carbon road bike (and I still may) but now I'm really wanting to explore steel frame road bikes instead.

The AWOL is heavy and it's definitely not a nimble cross bike. For me it makes a great commuter and is excellent for running errands, getting groceries, etc. I recently completed a week long self supported tour and it handles nicely when loaded.

But it's not the best choice if you want something lighter and more responsive. I mostly ride the AWOL these days, but sometimes I don't want all that weight and I'll grab my Kona instead.

richard4993

Thanks for the responses everybody. I'll be test riding the Surly at the end of the week so we'll see how it rides compared to the Awol.

Only reason I haven't considered Salsa or others is that those are the two models that my LBS stocks that I think fit how I'll be riding the bike.

fietsbob

Absent With Out Leave .. Brig time if they find you..

Mmfreedy

So what did you decide man. I'm stuck between these two as well. It will primarily be for making deliveries around town, followed by gravel grinding, then maybe some cross, and eventually some shirt touring.

coolkat

Awol fits and rides so much better. I've never found a Surly that actually rides well, their frames are the roughest riding steel on the market. Plus you get to avoid the workable-but-extremely-annoying dropouts on the straggler.