Specialized AWOL Expert

The Specialized AWOL Expert is a do-everything bike. Photo courtesy: specialized.com

The Specialized AWOL Expert retails for $2,500.

If you follow bicycle retail, you've probably noticed some interesting models labeled "adventure," "bikepacking," "gravel" or "offroad touring."  These are bikes like the Soma Wolverine, the Salsa Marrakesh or Vaya, and Surly's Troll or Ogre. They take wide tires, they tend to be made from high quality steel, and they come with disc brakes. Basically, they're designed to handle the rough stuff while carrying a load.

Specialized's offering is pricey, but it has it all: dyanamo-powered lights (add it to Edwin's list!); fenders with mudflaps; front and rear racks; disc brakes; really wide (comes with 700x45) tires; and a many gear combinations.  You could ride across the continent on this, or you could just ride to work. It will do whatever it is you want it to do.

Here is a 2014 review from Bicycle Times. 

Here are the specs:

• • FRAME

    Heat-treated custom-butted Premium Cr-Mo tubing, internal light cable routing-ready, Adventure Geometry, post disc mount, fender/rack mounts, kickstand plate

  • FORK

    Butted premium Cr-Mo, unicrown, heat-treated

  • FRONT HUB

    Shimano Dynamo hub, Center Lock disc, 32h 

  • REAR HUB

    Shimano Center Lock disc, 32h

  • SPOKES

    Stainless,14/15g w/self-locking threads

  • RIMS

    Specialized 29" disc front, 6061-T6 aluminum, 32h

  • INNER TUBES

    Standard, Presta valve

  • FRONT TIRE

    Specialized Borough Armadillo, 60TPI, 700x45mm

  • REAR TIRE

    Specialized Borough Armadillo, 60TPI, 700x45mm

  • CRANKSET

    Shimano Tiagra

  • CHAINRINGS

    50/39/30T

  • BOTTOM BRACKET

    Shimano Tiagra

  • SHIFT LEVERS

    Shimano Tiagra

  • FRONT DERAILLEUR

    Shimano Tiagra

  • REAR DERAILLEUR

    Shimano Tiagra

  • CASSETTE

    Shimano, 10-speed, 11-36t

  • CHAIN

    KMC X10EPT Anti-Rust, 10-speed, w/reusable MissingLink

  • FRONT BRAKE

    TRP HY/RD, hydraulic disc, 160mm rotor

  • REAR BRAKE

    TRP HY/RD, hydraulic disc, 160mm rotor

  • HANDLEBARS

    Specialized Adventure Gear AWOL, alloy, 125mm drop, 70mm short-reach, 12-degree flare-out

  • TAPE

    Specialized Adventure Gear S-Wrap Canvas Tape

  • STEM

    Specialized, 3D forged alloy, 4-bolt, 7-degree rise

  • SADDLE

    Body Geometry Phenom Comp, hollow Cr-Mo rails, 143mm

  • SEATPOST

    Specialized CG-R, FACT carbon, single bolt, reflective, 27.2mm

  • SEAT BINDER

    AWOL forged alloy, CNC, stainless bolt, 29.8mm

You can ride it in the country; you can ride it in the city. Photo courtesy: specialized.com