Multipurpose cycle?
 

What do you think of the Specialized Sequoia or the Trek 1000C, both with 35C tires, as a road bike (for exercise)/cyclocross/touring/commuting/ :rolleyes: all-purpose, lite bike? Value? Comfort? Durability? A century, perhaps?

Urbanmonk :rolleyes:

Those are big,slow moving tires.28's would be a lot lighter and work fine but if u feel better with a load of a tire,32's.

If I'm only allowed to own one bicycle on this planet, it'll definitely be a cyclocross bike.

George

My wife has a Specialized Sequoia Sport bike... Her bike came with 25C tires.. I believe.. maybe 28's... suspension seatpost... she seems to like it.. I've ridden it a bit.. pretty comfortable bike... I wanna say that out the door it was around $700... fairly lightweight... a good entry level bike... she likes the fact taht it also has brake levers on the tops, and in the drops... probably make a decent touring bike :-)

Jeff

The Trek 1000
http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/...jsp#largerview

has very tight tyre clearance for a general purpose bike. it looks like 25 is the limit, perhaps a 28. It is also a bit over-geared.

The Sequoia has long reach calipers (it says), so you should be able to fit 32mm + fenders, but check first. The front wheel (28 spoke radial) looks a bit lightweight for off-road, but it may be one of those funny designs.

You wont get a 35mm cx knobbly on any of these bikes, but I ride plenty of off-road using std 32mm touring rubber. I prefer 28 for general road riding.

The Sequioa gets my vote, but for better CX/touring capability in this price range, check out Fuji and Bianchi models.

Fixer, would any of the before mentioned work well for the purposes mentioned? What do you think about the distance issue?

Urbanmonk

The Trek 1000 isn't the same as the 1000C.
http://trekbike.com/bikes/2004/road/1000c.jsp

Trek's C series are =very= similar to Specialized Sequoias.

I suggest something with Canti-Lever brakes. Even with long reach calipers, they Specialized's and Trek's won't give you the flexibility to have 35c's and fenders, unless they're the CX or XO-1.
I have Bontrager Select Invert 35c on my Bianchi Strada and the ride is oh so comfy, yet corners well at high speed on damp roads.
If you're gonna go cross, go cross, not cross-like with calipers.

Forgot to answer your questions... I'd definitely rate a Bianchi Volpe a good value considering it's drivetrain and durable steel frame. If lightweight for you means 21-22lbs then it's great too. Bike companies are no longer listing weights for some reason but I think the Specialized's, Treks, and Bianchis in that price range have roughly similar weights. You may want to do centurys on narrower tires than 35c, but only a cross bike will let you have 35c's in the first place. Comfort for a century, or general riding for that matter, will depend on riding position and your flexibility. For $900, I'd consider the Fuji Cross (I've seen on sale), Bianchi Volpe, or Kona Jake.