Would like opinions from those who own or are familiar with the Specialized Sequoia

[kaian]

Based on the neck, elbow and shoulder troubles I've been having, I've decided to go get a professional fit. Rather than spend money on my entry level Trek 1000, I have decided to get a better bike based on the info the fitter comes up with. I've had a few people suggest to me that perhaps a more "upright" bike would help me be more comfortable. I was wondering what people in the forum thought of the Specialized Sequoia. If I consider it, I'll get at least the Elite with 105 components.

I guess I am wondering if it's a quick bike. I want something that I can still go fast on, but something that I don't feel stretched out with my shoulders and neck all wrenched. One guy at a LBS said that I'd be better off with a Trek Pilot because it's lighter and faster. I am limited because of my small size, so my bike choices are few. I have test ridden a Sequoia (XS) and it seemed to be pretty comfortable though it's hard to tell just by riding something once for 15 minutes. Also, most of the shops in my area do not stock small bikes, so it ends up being a guessing game.

 

[wineandkeyz]

Hi kaian,
My wife has an '04 Sequoia Elite, and she absolutely loves it. It's her first road bike and, to hear her tell it, it'll be her last.

She stepped up to this from an old Trek comfort bike. When she first got the Sequoia, she had the LBS set her up with a fairly upright riding position. As she's gotten more and more comfortable with it (and more serious as a rider), we've lowered the stem, raised the seat, etc. She also loves the extension brake levers, which most bikes don't have. A lot of riders look down on that kind of thing, but to me, it's all about what YOU like to ride.

One of our neighbors has an '03 Sequoia Elite, and my wife borrowed it for a 60-minute or so ride. After that, she checked out a LOT of other bikes, but couldn't find anything else with the flexibility of the Sequoia. After my wife bought hers, within a few months, another neighbor bought a Sequoia Elite. So our neighborhood has 3 Sequoia Elites within a few hundred yards!

By the way, last night we changed out the 700x25 tires for 700x23s. She had cut one of the tires on a ride, and decided to switch them both out. We'll see how she does on the thinner tires.

Now I'm trying to convince her it's time to do away with the toe clips/straps and move up to clipless pedals.

Suggestion: Ask your LBS to let you take a Sequoia out for an extended ride, or see if they offer full return policy. Because you're right: it's hard to tell much about a bike from a 15-minute ride.

 

[NSM3]

Have you considered the Specialised Roubaix - slightly modified geometry, longer head tube etc - but still a quick bike?

 

[Doctor Morbius]

Based on the neck, elbow and shoulder troubles I've been having, I've decided to go get a professional fit. Rather than spend money on my entry level Trek 1000, I have decided to get a better bike based on the info the fitter comes up with. I've had a few people suggest to me that perhaps a more "upright" bike would help me be more comfortable. I was wondering what people in the forum thought of the Specialized Sequoia. If I consider it, I'll get at least the Elite with 105 components.

I guess I am wondering if it's a quick bike. I want something that I can still go fast on, but something that I don't feel stretched out with my shoulders and neck all wrenched. One guy at a LBS said that I'd be better off with a Trek Pilot because it's lighter and faster. I am limited because of my small size, so my bike choices are few. I have test ridden a Sequoia (XS) and it seemed to be pretty comfortable though it's hard to tell just by riding something once for 15 minutes. Also, most of the shops in my area do not stock small bikes, so it ends up being a guessing game.

I own an '04 Sequoia Elite and love it. I have a couple of bad discs in my lower back so I don't have the flexibility necessary to ride in a racing position like some 150 lb 22 year old can for hours at a time. I don't know how anyone can ride like that without crushing their "boys" anyway.

It's a reasonably quick bike but it's not going to equal a time trial bike or some 16 lb road bike. But if one's goal is to get in shape, lose weight and have fun then what does anyone need with an überbike? Are you going to be racing? If not then leave the racing position to the racers.

There are other bikes that fit into the comfort genre also. Trek makes the 1200C and the Pilot as you've mentioned, Giant's OCR 1, 2 & 3 bikes are somewhat upright also.

Some people claim that the adjustable stem won't stand up to any stress placed on it. I haven't had any issues in that department. In fact the cool thing about the adjustable stem is you can quickly dial in your fit for different types of rides. If you want to do a century then you can set it for a more comfy upright riding position. If you want to do a brisk 30 minutes you can dial in a flatter riding position and ride in the drops.

 

[kaian]

Have you considered the Specialised Roubaix - slightly modified geometry, longer head tube etc - but still a quick bike?

I can't afford the Roubaix, but it looks like a cool bike.

 

[Scott M.]

I can't afford the Roubaix, but it looks like a cool bike.[/QUOTE

I also have a 2004 Sequoia Elite, purchased it after lengthy research on comfort/decent performance, as I also have lower back problems like Dr. Morbius. In fact after reading alot of his posts(and others) I decided to test ride one and make a purchase. Found one in my size(medium) in february for a clearance price of under $800.! No regrets. My rides generally consist of Sundays at 40 to 60 miles ,average speed of 15 to 16 mph, some hills.As far as I can tell, (bathroom scale)weight of bike is about 20-21 lbs.without accessories. I did consider the Roubaix which is a little lighter but came across this deal on the Sequoia and grabbed it. Do your own research and see what works for you.In my opinion, a great versatile road bike that won't break the bank. Good Luck!

 

[Doctor Morbius]

...I also have a 2004 Sequoia Elite, purchased it after lengthy research on comfort/decent performance, as I also have lower back problems like Dr. Morbius. In fact after reading alot of his posts(and others) I decided to test ride one and make a purchase. Found one in my size(medium) in february for a clearance price of under $800.! No regrets ...

What? You got an '04 Sequoia Elite for $800?!?! AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

I paid $1165 post sales tax for mine!

 

[Scott M.]

What? You got an '04 Sequoia Elite for $800?!?! AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

I paid $1165 post sales tax for mine!

I couldnt believe the price either, thats why I grabbed it. Other LBS in the area wanted $300 more. Right place, right time.

 

[kaian]

Yeah, I'm not trying to get a super-light race bike, but I also don't want the bike to be too heavy for me, since I am small. Right now with my Trek, I can climb really well. I'm usually passing people up the hill (of course they pass me down the hill with their big 700c wheels). So...as long as I can continue to accelerate and climb well, I'll be happy. I'm actually going for a fit today. I am excited, but nervous. The shop doesn't have any bikes in my size, so I'll most likely have to order something. Around here, the shops that have smaller bikes are very few and the one that I test rode the Sequoia at doesn't offer the more advanced fit services. So...here we go again. This will be my third bike purchase in one year!!!!! If it wasn't for EBAY, I'd be broke! Anyone want to buy a Trek 1000 WSD 43cm?