A true all-round capable machine, the AWOL Comp pairs 29" wheels with a cro-moly frame and drop bars to create a bike as at home on the daily commute as to a multi-day expedition. There is a 1x11 SRAM Rival 1 drivetrain and Rival 1 hydraulic brakes, and together with the Ground Control 1.9" tyres this bike really has been designed to take whatever terrain you throw at it.
Of course it also sports every front and rear rack mountain boss you might need to load it up, so we loved the fact it came out the box expedition ready. Intelligent speccing of that weldable cro-moly frame and comfortable 29" mountain bike tyres mean you really could open the map and just go as soon as you pull it out and straighten the bars.
Die hard remote-area tourists might want to replace the hydraulic brakes with something a bit less reliant on specific spares, such as mechanical discs or cantilevers. But for most folks the hydraulic SRAM Rival 1s are an excellent, powerful drop bar option for day to day riding.
For long days in the saddle a long wheelbase and tall headtube just makes riding an easier and more confident experience, and it easily swallows up any terrain you might have considered 'cross bike only in the past and can even tackle more technical terrain for a laugh - although perhaps save that for when the bike isn't loaded up!
The AWOL is a very pleasing combination of a fully featured touring bike and very capable hardtail mountain bike. Okay, it can't do either job with complete efficiency, but it will do both jobs with a lot of fun and competence. Truly a jack of all trades then, ready to ride straight out the box and into an adventure - road or offroad.
