Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Specialized Sequioa Elite

Hey guys,

So I ditched my walmart mtb and put a hold on a 08 spec sequioa elite at a lbs. They marked it down to $900. Is this a good deal? Any opinions on this bike? I did test ride the bike and others and its the one I like most. I'm new to road cycling (for fitness) so I figured I'd start out with this model. Most of my riding will probably be after work and on weekends - averaging between 17-35 miles rt. I don't think I'll be racing it so I don't think I really need the best parts/upgrades for it (not right now anyway). My only concern is the wheels (700x25c). I'm 5'11" and at 225 (lost 10lbs riding the mtb already). Can it handle the abuse of my weight?:o

Thanks guys.

I dont think you will have a problem I am riding a road bike at 260lbs and 5' 11"

Sinister, my wife has a Sequoia Elite and loves it. Very nice bike, nice component group (hers is all Ultegra). Which wheels does yours have? Hers is a low spoke count Shimano set. I wouldn't ride on those wheels, but I'm 260+. I would even be a bit leery of riding that particular set at 225. What is the spoke count of the wheels? If it's 32 or more I wouldn't think you'd have any problems.

MM

EDIT: to address the tires, 25s should be no problem. I rode on 25s on both of my road bikes for years at higher weights than you're at now.

Sinister, my wife has a Sequoia Elite and loves it. Very nice bike, nice component group (hers is all Ultegra). Which wheels does yours have? Hers is a low spoke count Shimano set. I wouldn't ride on those wheels, but I'm 260+. I would even be a bit leery of riding that particular set at 225. What is the spoke count of the wheels? If it's 32 or more I wouldn't think you'd have any problems.

MM

EDIT: to address the tires, 25s should be no problem. I rode on 25s on both of my road bikes for years at highe weights than you're at now.

Hey Mike. The wheels are called Alex AS1. I have to confirm but on the website of my lbs, it says 700x25c. I dont see any Ultegra parts in the description. Did your wife upgrade parts?

Hey Mike. The wheels are called Alex AS1. I have to confirm but on the website of my lbs, it says 700x25c. I dont see any Ultegra parts in the description. Did your wife upgrade parts?

Hers is around a 2004 so it may have had a different level of components back then, but Ultegra is what it came with. It MAY be a Comp instead of an Elite, I'll check tonight. I see that they come stock with 105 right now which is still a solid groupset. My Specialized Roubaix has a full 105 group and all I've changed is the cassette and chain. It's got about 1400 miles on it and still shifts sweet as long as I give it some occasional TLC.

As far as the wheels go, spoke count is the thing to focus on to determine if it will hold your weight or not. When I first got my Roubaix it had Alex 300s - 24 spoke count front and rear on it. The freewhell on the rear failed in about a month and the lbs replaced the entire wheel with an Alex 330. That lasted until last fall when i broke a spoke. I've since replaced the wheels with new Mavic Pros front (32 spoke) and rear (36 spoke). I was probably over 225 the entire time I had the Alexs so you're probably fine if they are 24 count or higher, but as I stated I would personally prefer 32 or higher.


MM

Hers is around a 2004 so it may have had a different level of components back then, but Ultegra is what it came with. It MAY be a Comp instead of an Elite, I'll check tonight. I see that they come stock with 105 right now which is still a solid groupset. My Specialized Roubaix has a full 105 group and all I've changed is the cassette and chain. It's got about 1400 miles on it and still shifts sweet as long as I give it some occasional TLC.

As far as the wheels go, spoke count is the thing to focus on to determine if it will hold your weight or not. When I first got my Roubaix it had Alex 300s - 24 spoke count front and rear on it. The freewhell on the rear failed in about a month and the lbs replaced the entire wheel with an Alex 330. That lasted until last fall when i broke a spoke. I've since replaced the wheels with new Mavic Pros front (32 spoke) and rear (36 spoke). I was probably over 225 the entire time I had the Alexs so you're probably fine if they are 24 count or higher, but as I stated I would personally prefer 32 or higher.


MM

Thanks for the info Mike. Not sure how many spokes on it but I'll find out tonight after I pick it up. I won't worry about the rims then until I run into any issues. However, from your tips and info, I think I'll be okay with it. Can't wait to ride tonight. Hopefully the fitting won't take too long! :D

I think you are good to go. The carbon seatpost has a weight restriction of 250lbs(it's in the owners manual.) If you have straight spoke hubs, pay attention to the spoke tension. During break in(for want of a better term) the spokes can come loose and eject themselves from the wheel while you are riding it. Also, the rear brake may become a parking brake. Specialized is aware of the problem and has a fix for it(a new rear caliper.) Enjoy your new ride.

I ordered a 2009 Sequoia Elite and it was going to cost about $1300 so it sounds like you got a good deal. I didn't buy it as I didn't like the geometry (they didn't have the right size in stock so I couldn't test ride it in advance).

About the wheels - I am on the low end of Clyde and I usually carry a rack + pannier adding another 15 pounds. I think that how you ride the bike has a lot to do with how the wheels will hold up. I have 2000 miles on my 20-spoke, 700x23 racing wheels/tires (women's racing bike). I am careful to get off the saddle and let my arms/legs do shock absorption on rough roads and avoid curbs, potholes, etc. No problems *yet* with the wheels.

The 09 Sequoia Elite is spec'd with Mavic CXP22 rims 28/32 spokes. I don't believe the Sequoia got changed between 08 and 09. That is a FINE set up.

My wife had a 04 Sequoia Elite with 105/Ultegra rd and it was excellent except being a bit small in size, that was my fault not the shops.

We're both riding Giant OCR C3's with their house brand wheels in 18/20 spokes, I'm 240-255 and have never had them get out of true with well over 2k miles on the bike. I do have them re-trued/tensioned once a year although only on the first break in tune up did they need any work.

IMHO the Sequoia is an Excellent buy at retail and you saved 300+. You done good, I think you'll like it.

Hey guys,

So I ditched my walmart mtb and put a hold on a 08 spec sequioa elite at a lbs. They marked it down to $900. Is this a good deal? Any opinions on this bike? I did test ride the bike and others and its the one I like most. I'm new to road cycling (for fitness) so I figured I'd start out with this model. Most of my riding will probably be after work and on weekends - averaging between 17-35 miles rt. I don't think I'll be racing it so I don't think I really need the best parts/upgrades for it (not right now anyway). My only concern is the wheels (700x25c). I'm 5'11" and at 225 (lost 10lbs riding the mtb already). Can it handle the abuse of my weight?:o

Thanks guys.

900.00 is a good deal i paid 1100.00 for my 08 elite. as for the wheels alex as1 are on mine too and i was 345lbs + when i started riding. granted i dont bunny hop curbs with it but i have not tried to be easy on the wheels.


The 09 Sequoia Elite is spec'd with Mavic CXP22 rims 28/32 spokes. I don't believe the Sequoia got changed between 08 and 09. That is a FINE set up.

there was some change the 08 has 24/28 spoke wheels the 09 28/32 spoke rear. the bb has changed. the components on the 09 are 105 and mixed 105 on the 08. the lbs i bought mine from told me ( maybe he was trying to make a sell) that the 08 was a better version elite than the 09.


http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e72/igotachevyor2/bikes/DSCF7917.jpg

I just bought an '08 Sequoia a few months ago, and I've racked up about 700 commuting miles so far. I'm around 210 Lb, and my rear rack is usually loaded up with 10 to 15 lbs of clothes, laptop etc. I love the bike, but there are a few issues to look out for:

- Fenders are difficult to fit due to tight tire clearances. My LBS had to hack up a set of fenders and make special brackets to get them on.

- I've been getting way too many flats. Might be an issue with the weight, might be cheap tires the bike comes with, I don't know. I finally got an Armadillo for the rear, we'll see how that does.

- My rear wheel has gone a bit out of true. Again, weight? Bad setup from the factory? I don't know, but I'll have the spokes trued up before a 200 mile ride coming up in July.

Sounds like a decent price on a great bike. Enjoy!

Hi,

I have a Sequoia Comp, it is a triple with mostly 105 components.

It came with the RS10 wheel set which I believe is 16/20 ft/rear spoked.

I was apprehensive about the wheels but I have about 500 miles on the
set an have had no problems...

( Well I did hit a curb once, and had to have the front wheel retrued ).

It seems to be built like a tank.

Had the rascal weighted last week when the lbs installed a garmin 705
for me...It weighted 21 pounds and that did not include the underseat tool bag.

I find the upright riding position to be fairly easy on my seventy year old back :)

Enjoy...

Jerry

Thanks for all the tips and info guys. You guys are awesome! With that said, some has expressed issues with tiagra parts and recommended Ultegra parts instead. Are tiagra's more prone to failure the more i ride it? I plan on putting some serious miles on this bike. Thanks.

I bought his and hers Sequoias last fall. Not sure of the model name, but it's the entry level. i just turned 600 on mine with no problems. I'm 280-300 depending on the month.

There is nothing wrong with Tiagra. They will last many thousands of miles when adjusted properly. Expect some cable stretch for the first couple of hundred miles and then it will be fine. I just recently had to replace the Tiagra rear derailier on my Cross Check after 15,000 miles and I treat it like a mountain bike. On a road bike it would probably last twice that- Enjoy your new bike.

Thanks for the assurance. The lbs guys told me the same thing about the tiagras. They seem to be really good guys that really wanted to help me in my decision. In the end, i was happy with their attentiveness and helpfulness in answering all my questions. They also provide free lifetime adjustments and repairs (except for parts ) as long as I own the bike and a full year free of tuneups. I thought that was a great deal. What was even cool was they invited me to their weekly sat rides in our area. :)

Thanks to the guidance of fellow clydes my 2009 Sequoia Elite is serving me very well. I am 5'10 and 325lbs. I am up to riding only 20 miles a week due to time and other excuses getting in the my way, but I can say with confidance you have nothing to worry about. The bike has been rock solid. I also respectfully disagree with your contention that you are not racing therefore do not need the best parts. Wrong you need the highest quality componants that you can afford. The shifters alone on the elite has made a world of differance in my riding confidance. Big guys require higher quality componants.
To share a minor case in point:
I used to think I was ridiculisly afraid of heights. I would cringe everytime I would have to climb my richity 8ft wooden step ladder. When it broke and I replaced it with a 375 lbs load capacity ladder. Needless to say it was a night and day differance. My experiance is similar with the elite vs the walmart specials. Better compnants = better and safer ride.

My wife and I both have 09 Sequoia Elites. We both love them and have had no problems with flats, broken spokes etc. I started on this bike when I was in the 280's lbs. Now I am in the 260's and never had a problem with anything on this bike.

I don't know about the seat post on the 08 but on the 09 the seat post is aluminum wrapped with a thin layer of carbon.

Congratulations on this bike. BTW I paid $1050 for my 09 in October of 08 - just when the new models came out. (Orange Cycle in Orange, CA).

I too ride a 08-Sequoia Elite. Bought at LBS in Lakewood, Ohio for 889.99 and included a fitting (spent over 2 hours dialingit in for me with clipless pedals!
It is a great all purpose road bike- I love this thing.

Ride it- longest ride for me yet was 64 miles- handled great. over 1000 in base miles on it (mainly 20 to 30 mile jaunts in the burbs around my home) I leave for GOBA (Great Ohio Bike Adventure) this Saturday on this bike, pulling my daughter on a Admas ag a long-

CAN not wait!

I have an 08 Sequoia Comp. Mostly 105 componentry. Haven't ridden mine very much (yet). I have a long torso and short legs & arms. I'm about 5'8" and have an inseam of well under 28". I ended up getting a 54cm Sequoia, having previously ridden a 49cm Motobecane Legacy Pro.

The semi-compact frame allows for 'just enough' clearance, but still gives me decent reach (and more upright than before).

I went through several fittings trying to tune my previous bike, but it wasn't working out.

As far as shifters & brakes...the Ultegra brakes on the Motobecane were excellent and provided noticeably better stopping power than the 105's. The shifting, though, is just as crisp.

I have a '07 Sequoia Elite and it been a great ride.....sounds like a good deal for you...you won't be disappointed!!!!!!!!!