Road Cycling - Specialized Sequoia: owners or lookers opinions?

These look like pretty sweet bikes for recreational road riding, touring, or commuting. Any owners or perusers care to offer comments on them?

My wife and I just picked up two Experts the other day. Of course our weather in Michigan has turned back to cold, rain, sleet etc. We have had them out on one short ride, hope to do a lot more this week. So far, very comfortable, smooth and nimble. Very impressed at this point, will let you know more after this week and a few good rides.

I like the extra set of brake levers on top of bars.

check for toe clip overlap with the front wheel and fender clearance. Otherwise a nice flat-bar light-touring bike

I can't tell you about the new ones but I still ride my '90 Sequioa everyday to work and she is a beauty. I have had no real maintence problems outside the regular wear and tear stuff. My first major repair was the overhaul it got last fall. I find her as responsive as my Bianchi San Remo road bike.

There has been a few recent posts about the Sequoia. Do a search and you will find them! I started out considering a top-of-the-line hybrid when I decided to update my ride. With some careful research and feedback, I turned instead to the Specialized Sequoia Expert.

I have it about a month but haven't really put many miles on it. Between bad weather and a 3 month old at home, it has been harder to just drop everything and ride.

This far, I am very happy with my choice.
Understand what it is...a road bike with more relaxed geometry. I hear that it makes a nice tourer too, although it does not have as many mounting possibilities as some true tourers. I like the second set of brakes for those leisurely rides on the boardwalk when I prefer to be more upright.

I have not really heard/read any disparaging remarks.

For just over $1000 it seems to be a nice choice.
Don't forget to check out your few LBS and take it for a ride.

Good luck in your search. Please let us know how it went!

Rob

My understanding is that it is a BRAND NEW Specialized bike, never before produced. It is not a "flat bar" bike, but has drop handlebars. Not a "hybrid", but a true road bike.

How do you "search" on here? :confused:

Chilidog, just go to the top of this page where it says "Quick Search" and type in what you want and hit the "GO" button. Pretty cool.

Originally posted by ChiliDog
My understanding is that it is a BRAND NEW Specialized bike, never before produced. It is not a "flat bar" bike, but has drop handlebars. Not a "hybrid", but a true road bike.

How do you "search" on here? :confused:

My Sequoia is a hybrid and a flat bar they now have three different styles and they seem to be more of a road bike. When I bought mine it was set up for touring it came with front and rear racks I could of gotten bags to go with it but didn't have the money at the time. I still prefer my San Remo for long distances because of it steel frame and a slightly longer wheel base gives the ride more comfort. The Sequoia is a great commuter and is just about as fast as the Bianchi and as I said before is as responsive, it is a very agile bike. And something to be said about Specialized the frame and components have held up very well over the years.

I really liked this bike while I had it. I wasn't sure of the sizing, so I returned it to the bike store before the return period ran out because I was paying for two bikes at the moment ($$$$$). I'm debating whether to get the Expert in a bigger size or go with a Lemond Alpe D' Huez.

The ride is good. I like the extra brake handles and the adjustable handle bars even though they don't adjust by a whole lot. I'm not sure if I would replace the suspension seat post or not. I'm a 5'11" male and had the large frame and the only problem that I had was that when I rode in the standing position (climbing a hill for instance), the seat would hit me in the back of the legs. This was probably fixable with either a longer stem, but I think that I would prefer the XL frame size instead. The seat fore/aft was set during my fitting and seat height was correct per my fitting, so that's why I think a longer stem or larger frame was needed. The bike was alot of fun for the time that I had it and may go back and purchase with a larger frame. On a daily basis, I just couldn't wait to ride the bike which will be my first road style bike.

I'll just have to decide which geometry is better between the Expert or Lemond.

They run small. I "spec" out on a 51 on paper, comparing to my Allez, but in the reality of test riding, a 51 was too small. When I stood over it, the stem hit my abdomen. When I rode it, my knees pedaled above the height of the handlebar. It felt very cramped. And I am 5'4" with a 29 inseam, so I usually ride a small bike.

A M (54) was perfect. Longer wheelbase too. I am considering one for a long distance/touring bike that I can set up with a rack and load up if I need to. It IS very comfortable, isn't it? Feels almost "wicked". Some guy on roadbikereview said, "It is the bike God rides in Heaven"! What a promotion! :p

ChiliDog,

I picked up mine (expert) in February. Nothing but praise for the smooth comfortable ride. I'm getting an intermittent squeaking from the pedals, my rear hub needed some greasing, and I'm starting to get a ticking sound that goes away when I take presure off the handlebars. I've also ridden it in some filthy conditions when the snow was melting, and in the rain. I think it's a terrific value with some interesting features. A good light touring choice or commuter.