Originally Posted by tarwheel

First ride today on my newest commuter, an early 1980s Specialized Sequoia, which was their sport touring model at the time. I had it built with a the retro touch, using the original-style Suntour Superbe brakes, MKS pedals & toe clips, the original La Prade seat post, the original Specialized headset and a Nitto Deluxe stem. The crankset is a Stronglight 50-34 compact, comparable to the Sugino AT crank used on the original bike.

Although it was just one 15-mile ride, I could quickly tell that this is going to be a sweet-riding bike with a magic carpet feel. The brakes stop surprisingly well for 35-year-old single pivots, due in part to the Kool Stop salmon pads. The pedals are gonna have to go, based on my ride to work. I hadn't ridden with toe clips for many years and had forgotten what a hassle they are to clip into. With all of the traffic lights on my commute route, it was a major pain clipping in again after every stop and the clips were scraping a lot.

The frame has an unusual (to me) arrangement for water bottle mounts, on the top and bottom sides of the down tube. I don't want to put a water bottle under the down tube, but really only need one bottle for commuting anyway, so will get by with one cage for now. However, I bought a Zefal Gizmo strap-on mount that I can put on the seat tube, if I decided to add one later.

Not sure if I will keep the rear rack or use a Carradice bag with Bagman seat rack. Plan to add fenders later, since this bike will be used mainly for commuting.