Road Cycling - What do ya think of the Specialized Sequoia?

I've been riding a 5 speed steel ralleigh for the past 10 years in NYC and have been quite pleased. However I'm ready for a new bike as I've been doing longer distances, and want more efficiency. My current bike lives outside. My new one will have to be light because I will be carrying it upstairs to my apartment.

I tested the Speacialized Sequoia today and really liked it.
What do people think and are there other comprable bikes I should be considering.

Things I like about the Sequoia: Light, comfortabmle, high riding position, extra brakes on top of handle bars.

Cons: its alluminum and I'm concerned about the ride being harsh.

Thanks for your thoughts.


adley

i have an Allez sport, and frames are almost the same (geometry wise) and i know the A1 Premium Aluminum will hold up. Other than that i have no reason to doubt thats its a very capable bike.

EDIT:
I should actually read before i post... sigh.. I'll learn some day

the ride is not bad at all, you'll have a nice seatpost and and carbon fork will dampen it very nicly.

I think cannondale and Bianchi have some compairable bikes.

They come with a shock seatpost don't they? And as spaze mentions, the fork is supposed to be shock absorbing, too. It's a good bike, IMO... good enough that I got one for my wife a couple of months ago.

I like the Specialized Sequoia. I think for some people it's a great bike. However I would say that at least for the lower end Sequoia, unless you're really going to take advantage of the adjustable stem, special handlebar shape, shock seatpost, and aux brake levers, the better bargain is the Specialized Allez Sport 27 which is a similar bike in geometry and gives you better components (Tiagra/105 mix vs Sora/Tiagra mix and a carbon seatpost vs a shock-post) for the same price (at least according to MSRP).

the harshness of an aluminum frame is a bit of a myth. while it's true that low-end frames like the Giant OCRs, tend to be pretty stiff and harsh, and that older alu frames would knock fillings loose, the current breed of quality aluminum tubing is actually quite comfortable to ride. it may not be a smooth as steel, but it's not like stradling a jackhammer.

Originally posted by spazegun2213
i have an Allez sport, and frames are almost the same (geometry wise) and i know the A1 Premium Aluminum will hold up. Other than that i have no reason to doubt thats its a very capable bike.

EDIT:
I should actually read before i post... sigh.. I'll learn some day

the ride is not bad at all, you'll have a nice seatpost and and carbon fork will dampen it very nicly.

I think cannondale and Bianchi have some compairable bikes.

Totally agreed, I'd go with the Allez over the Sequoia for a couple reasons.

1.) The Allez with hold up longer than the Sequoia
2.) It's generally lighter (like the A1 frame or the M2 or M4)
3.) And of course, it's alot cooler!

Refer to Specialized Allez, join in!! (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34330) for more info. Thanks!

-Dan the Man-

However, I've been told that the Sequoia has a softer ride than the Allez.

Any thoughts?

Adley... that is the same bike that we got my wife a month or so ago, as an intro to road biking, and she loves it... the suspension seatpost, and the carbon fiber fork, make it ride smooth... and she loves having the brakes up up as well as in the drops... I have a Steel Lemond... I rode the Sequoia agter riding my Lemond, and it might be a slight bit rougher, but not bad at all... kinda changed my opinion on Al bikes a bit... and so far with about 70 mile son it.. my wife really likes it.. she is super comfortable on it !

Jeff

I'm really happy to see Specialized introduce a bike like this, because it gets a lot of people past their fear of drop bars. And, despite its comfort features and other compromises, the simple presence of drop bars makes it a more useful bike for extended road riding than almost any hybrid.

And turning it into something a little more hardcore will be simpler and less expensive than with a hybrid, because you can keep the drivetrain. Lose the suspension post and the adjustable stem, put a decent saddle on it, and you've pretty much got a sport/touring bike.

As for the frame material, when I tried a Sequoia once, out of curiosity and because I wanted to try the aux brake levers, it was hard to evaluate the frame through all the mush introduced by the saddle and seatpost. Hard to say how this bike would ride if you completely roadified it, but I doubt you could do anything to it to make it really horrible.

RichC

Several people in my club bought Sequoia's, and they love them. They are made as an all around road bike, with all the fittings for touring.

My brother has the Sequoia Elite and is very happy it. I road it and it's definitely a softer ride than my S-Works. It also performed very well. I had no problem keeping up with the people I was riding with when I test rode it. I was really impressed with it 'cuz it's aimed more toward touring. However, I think it performed more like road bike than a touring bike. For your application, I think it would be a good choice.

I have a Sequoia Expert that I have ridden 600 miles and am very satiisied with it. It rides better then my steel framed Jamis Quest. The frame geometry is not the same as the Allez, sitting is more upright on the Sequoia, also the cushioned seatpost on the Seq. is nice, I increased the tension to flex only on moderated bumps to take out pedaling bobble. I thought I would end up removing it but it works. There have been some brake problems with the Specialized brakes, I replaced mine with Ultegra brakes. Make sure your LBS has adressed the brake issue. Good Luck.
Jeff

I bought this 2009 Sequoia about 2/3 months ago (not sure ifit is Elite as it does not say this on the frame). The bike had been on layaway but the personnever finished paying and did not pick it up, so the bike shop placed it outfor sale and I scooped it up that very same day.

It has an XL frame and came with the standard equipment. My bar configuration was the standarddropdown (I call them rams horns), but I do not like the rams horn bars as Icannot get comfortable with them. Mylocal bike shop (Wheel fast in Chatham IL) had a used set of straight (5 degreesweep) mountain bike bars in the back and I had them switch them for me. I take the sweep built into these bars andpoint it down. This is a superconfiguration as it is more in alignment with my arms and wrists. I find this very comfortable and far more ergonomicfor the long haul. I replaced theshifters and brakes with the Shimano 9 speed shifter/derailer and added CraneCreek, Flat Top brake levers. I alsoreplaced the pedals with Shimano clipless pedals. Man does this help with the control and powerapplications needed when riding!

I did add a Topeak rack and bag over the back tire as Ibought this bike to commute to work. Itis 17 miles one way. The terrain is mostlyflat to rolling hills along the way. Iride a bike trail about 10 miles the rest is street. In the bikes current configuration it isreally responsive and fast, only takes an hour to get to work. The ride home is a little longer as I am notunder any time constraints and ride to enjoy myself.

I really like the aluminum frame and love the carbon forkswith the Zertz inserts; they really absorb the shock and vibrations of riding. I have ridden friends Cervelo's and a fewothers such as Giants and Raleigh’s and they don't compare in comfort or handling!! That is not to say they aren't great bikes, theyare, but I like mine better!

I can say that after 632 miles so far, that if the bike doesnot disintegrate the only way I would part with this bike is if you pry it frommy cold dead hands!!

Can you tell I like this bike?

I owned a Sequoia for a while, about half a year. Bike rode just fine. Comfy enough.

I got rid of it because I hate how dorky I look on a sloped toptube bike. Otherwise the bike was pretty good.

Holy thread resurrection, Batman!

I have a Sequoia Elite with carbon forks and seat post. I didn't think the ride too harsh, however after a recent upgrade, I think it rides even better. I replaced the stock Alex 400 rims with a set of Mavic Ksyrium Elites. Definitely toned down the ride, improved the speed and lightened the weight. I have had this bike for about 5 years. I really liked it before but considered selling it and going all carbon. After upgrading the wheelset, putting on a lightweight Selle Italia carbonio saddle, carbon clipless pedals, and recently a Shimano Ultegra compact crankset, I now love this bike and would never sell it even if I bought another. The upgrades I have mentioned shaved just about 2 lbs. off the weight and really improved the ride. This is a great bike that is comfortable on long rides and will still give you plenty of speed.