Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Clyde bought a Specialized Sequoia

I recently posted a thread regarding Clydes on a Specialized Sequoia.
Thank you for the encouraging replys from owners of this bike.

I went to my LBS and rode one yesterday.... I fell in love at first ride!
I ordered an Elite model (want the upgraded components).

Now I have to wait.... I hate waiting.
It will come in soon but I won't be able to pick it up until next Friday (work).

BTW the extra brake levers on the hoods of the handle bar are great. I didn't realize the existed until I actually got to ride the bike.

Well there is a price for that great advice. You are required to post pics of your new bike. (You should have read the fine print:eek:)

Yes, pics please!

I would love to show pictures.. I can't because I will not pick it up for 6 more days.... but who is counting!?

im counting because i an supposed to pick up mine in 6 more days....... if nothing happens i will be the proud owner of an elite model next friday too. congrats on your new bike.

Very good choice IMO! If it's an 09 model it looks like they have cut back from three Sequoia models to two. I have updated my 08 basic model with Ultegra FD, Mavic Open Pro/Ultegra hubs/Armadillos, Sigma computer, and 110 Ritchey stem. Over 1100 miles on her now and I am enjoying it immensely. Please post pics when your Sequoia arrives! And by all means "accessorize"! I copied the pic from the Specialized web site for you. :thumb:

was you able to pick up your Sequoia?

When you start looking at larger tires, if you are lucky, the Rivendell Ruffy Tuffy might fit. Looks kind of iffy, but it might.

I picked up my new Sequoia on Friday. Because of work stuff I still have had the time to only ride it for about 4 miles. I really really like the feel of this bike. I know I am going to love it.
The seat is a bit unfomfortable but I am going to give it a chance.

So far so good. I will post again when I have the time to give it a good ride.

Pictures please.... we need pictures! (Is your Sequoia 08 or 09?)

My Sequoia is the 09 model.
Pictures coming - work is in the way right now..... Ugh!

I purchased an 08 Sequoia Elite a couple weeks ago. This is my second road bike but my first "nice" one. I have only ridden a few miles and plan on putting it away till spring and I think I will like it alot. I have a couple other bikes I wil ride thru winter. I had my choice of the 08 vs. the 09 and I went with the 08. I liked the carbon seat stays. The 09 has some better components and better tires but the 08 has a few better components as well. I went with the better frame in the end.

Newt

I am approaching 1700 miles on my "Ultegrized" 08 Sequoia. Pictures of your new ride?

it sucks having to wait for your bike, i had to like 6 weeks to get what i wanted

I wanted to get the 08 elite, but the lbs did not have one in my size and they
asserted that the warehouse was 'out of stock'.

I settled for the sequoia comp. I think the only difference is that the comp has
shimano 105 components and wheels with a very small spoke count.

Jerry

There's getting to be quite a group of Clyde Sequoites here! I like that blue one.

Looks like the Sequoia group is going to get a little bigger - I am buying my wife one for Christmas.
The LBS guy said that of all the years he has been selling Specialized bikes the Sequoia's are this year taking off. Seems that the model has been "discovered".
I love mine!

My wife has one and my Dad has one, both love them.

what is it about the Sequoia that you liked over the Allez or Roubaix?

My first road bike was a Sequoia. It was a great way to get introduced to road riding. The one thing I hated on the bike and changed out was the seat post. Mine came with this seatpost that had a small piston in it to dampen the ride. Unfortunately, after about 100 miles it sounded like a bed in a cheap hotel room .....squeak...squeak...squeak. the faster you pedaled the faster the frequencies of the squeaks.

what is it about the Sequoia that you liked over the Allez or Roubaix?

I can't speak for everyone but I think it is a bike you tend to discover when you are putting away thoughts of flat bar bikes as "comfortable" for extended rides and entertaining becoming a neo-roadie. With the flipped-up stem and upright riding position the first ride is very appealing and comfortable... and if and when you get adapted you can bring your stem down to a more conventional riding position. Also the price point is good... and the name does not require any frenchy pronunciation! :D

+1 with billydonn. I moved from a flat bar bike. Was intimidated by the drop down bars. I loved the "relaxed geometry" (more upright riding position) and the extra brake handles on the hoods were the "cherry on top".
Price is good - components are good.
My son has the Allez and it is just much to radical for an old clyde like me.

The price, relaxed geometry and the extra brake levers all added up to me buying this bike. I have a flat bar road bike and this was just a "natural" progression for me. I ordered a Brooks B-17 saddle for mine. I don't feel that the original seat on my '08' is terrible but I wanted to try a brooks and what's a better place to use one for the first time than on a new bike.

Congratulations. The people at Specialized got it right with the Sequioa series. They aimed for a market of typically older, but still vigorous riders. I have an '06 Elite, all 105 stuff - good quality middle-of-the-road group. I haertily endores 23mm Armadillos for clydesdales. I won't leave home without them. No pinch flats - ever. And, only 6 flats in over 9000 miles. The newer Sequioas are alot prettier than mine. It looks like bridge girder compared to the late model ones.

As for the stock saddle, mine came with a Specialized something-or-other that was fine out to about 35 miles on a hot day, but got very hot and uncomfrtable after that. A Brooks B-17 solved the problem. The only other thing that bothers me about my bike is the tendency for the cheap wheels to "sing" as I bear down on up grades. But, that's a function of being 250lbs, I suppose.

EDIT: Oh yeah, the stock brake pads suck to death.

This pic is before I installed the Army's:

The price, relaxed geometry and the extra brake levers all added up to me buying this bike. I have a flat bar road bike and this was just a "natural" progression for me. I ordered a Brooks B-17 saddle for mine. I don't feel that the original seat on my '08' is terrible but I wanted to try a brooks and what's a better place to use one for the first time than on a new bike.

Keep us posted on how that B-17 works out... seems to be lots of discussion about them. And pics are always nice.

Check out the Selle Anatomica saddle. Has been amazingly comfortable from the first ride!!! Have had NO post-ride discomfort at all!!!

I got a new road bike for commuting and fitness. I'm over 50, female, and haven't ridden much in the past decades but have owned road bikes since I was in high school. I needed a bike that could accommodate a large rider (my weight has fluctuated between 140-295 pounds) and a bike rack + panniers.

The LBS sales rep assured me that I would just love a Specialized Sequoia and I ordered a 2009 elite. They didn't have my size in stock so I didn't get to test ride.

It came in, I test-rode it, and I hated it. The "comfortable geometry" was way too upright for me. When I complained, they said that was the entire point of the bicycle. To me, that posture was not comfortable. I ended up getting a more "aggressive geometry" in a Specialized Ruby Pro. Even though I get most of my miles commuting, the days I ride I'll go 18-35 miles and I enjoy going fast. The brake extension levers were nice on the Sequoia (I had something similar on my other bikes) but I am learning to ride with hands on the brake hoods now that I have a bike that fits properly. I did have to swap out the nice CF seatpost for an aluminum seatpost that can handle a beam rack so I can commute with a lightly-loaded pannier.

So I think the comments are accurate about how the Sequoia is targeted towards riders that are riding flat handlebars but want to move towards drops. I learned how much difference there is now in the different frame geometries. It seemed to be a good bike, but it's just not for everyone.

I received the Brooks saddle yesterday but I won't be able to give you a riding report because I have the Sequioa put away till spring. I will be riding either my mountain bike or Eastwood this winter weather permitting. I am surprised as to how "stiff" the leather is on the new saddle. I haven't put any kind of conditioner on the B17, I just checked it out and put it back in the box til spring.

Newt

I received the Brooks saddle yesterday but I won't be able to give you a riding report because I have the Sequioa put away till spring. I will be riding either my mountain bike or Eastwood this winter weather permitting. I am surprised as to how "stiff" the leather is on the new saddle. I haven't put any kind of conditioner on the B17, I just checked it out and put it back in the box til spring.

Newt

Hello Newt,
Why put it away til spring? Put it on another bike and ride that puppy! And, you don't need to put anything on it except your butt. If you do, be careful of the temptation to over condition it. Remember that it's a saddle, not a jacket or a pair of gloves. It should always remain hard to the touch but flexible to the tush. The people over at Brooks know their business. Enjoy.

thats a good idea, I think I will put the Brooks on my KHS and ride it this winter. Now I'm trying to figure the best product for conditioning the saddle

thats a good idea, I think I will put the Brooks on my KHS and ride it this winter. Now I'm trying to figure the best product for conditioning the saddle

There's tons-o-stuff out there to condition leather. But, you should know that conditioning is for leather that needs conditioning. A new Brooks does not.

Brooks says to use their proprietary product, Proofide, or you will void the warranty. Truth is, you'll probably never need the warranty, and Proofide isn't the only good product you can use to protect your saddle.

It's easier to tell you what not to use, in fact. Just my opinion, but I wouldn't use any product that contains silicones - ever. Slicones seal the leather and prevent the wicking action that makes a Brooks so comfortable in hot weather. Your Brooks needs to breath. I wouldn't soak it in oils like motor oil, or neatsfoot oil. It's not a baseball glove. It needs to remain hard to the touch, but flexible when you get on. So, bottom line is this: Don't use any product that you would normally use to soften a ball glove.

If you go with Proofide, obey the instructions to the letter. A couple applications per year is all it needs. Me, I use SnoSeal, but it's a bit of a process to do without over sealing the hide. I can tell you if you want to read it.

Thanks for the good advice. Since this is my first leather saddle and I have no experience with leather I will order some Proofide.