Specialized Sequoia Sport

Price Paid:  $750.00 at Cupertino Bike Shop

Favorite Ride:
Anything in the Bay Area

Bike Setup:
Stock with Shimano SPD pedals and Shimano 8 speed XTR cassette.

Summary:
To set the context right I am 160lbs and 5'10". When I purchased this bike I was just getting into road biking and this bike was a great way to get started. I had bought the bike at a closeout. I picked this from a number of other entry level bikes for the fit, and also I wanted a more upright position to ride in. I ride a medium compact frame(Specialized bikes are all compact, I think).

I have more than 2000 miles on this bike and have not had to replace anything for wear and tear except for a new set of tires. Very early I had replaced the stock cassette with an 8 speed Shimano XTR 12-28 to help me in the climbs. I ride with Shimano SPD pedals as well. The bike is great. It rides well and climbs well. One of its understated features, the handle bar brakes, which are unique to this bike, served me really well. For an Aluminum frame it is a surprisingly light bike. It has comes with a carbon fork and a spring loaded seat post (which compensates for the stiffness of the frame). I could not have picked a better road bike for the level of proficiency I had when I bought it. I had tried out a couple of Treks and REI stock bikes before purchasing this.

If you are serious biker (that I think I have evolved to now) this bike has a few drawbacks. The brakes squeal (mostly the rear wheel) after awhile. You can get rid of squealing by cleaning the bicycle rim with mildly abrasive gauze. I only had to do this once (after about 1700 miles). Shifting with the stock Shimano components is a little too mechanical and not as smooth. The Aluminum frame is a little too stiff for me on the long rides, and does not corner as well other higher end road bikes. All these comments have to be taken in context to what I had paid for the bike.

Strengths:
Light, affordable and a nice compact fit. Rides well and climbs well. Carbon fork, damped seat post and handle bar brakes (great on a down hill).

Weaknesses:
Stiff frame and a lower quality stock components.

Similar Products Used:
My first road bike.

Price Paid:  $1600.00 at Wooly's Wheels

Favorite Ride:
Still deciding.

Bike Setup:
Stock.

Summary:
Liked the bike from the start because of the smooth ride and adjustable everything. Wanted something that you can keep up on a club ride then ride home after either fast or enjoying the sights - its spot on for this.

Yes the brakes squeal but alerts others including cars - good!

For the A$ price the derailer/gear set is substandard. Tossed the rear cogs from the start but still can’t find the right combo for leisurely tiki touring versus trying to keep up with the (slower) pack. Anyway, will toss the whole setup and restart as soon as have the $, an excuse and improved fitness.

Sprung saddle is good but will go to a solid option (carbon?) for feel.

No problems fitting an MTX rack & Quick Track bag for day trips. Suspect this will also go for a saddle bag to reduce weight = search for speed as the bike does encourage / want you to go faster.

From my looking around this is as close as you can get to buying a full-on road bike that’s still survivable and enjoyable, especially if it’s for day-to-day use as well. It provides enough flexibility to soup it up a bit although if you think you are going to want a full on road bike then go and buy that. Also you can commute to work, go to the cafes at the weekend, keep up on recreational club rides, and carry a (rear) load for a supported weekend trip. Don’t make smart comments to your friends on their full carbon frame roadster, and don’t plan on carrying more than the groceries or 2~3 days lunch & kit, but do plan on enjoying the ride – once we all replace the shoddy lever / derailer / gear set!

Strengths:
Comfortable light forks are a big improvement over their aluminium cousins.
Sprung seat & padded handlebars another nice touch making long days in the saddle survivable. Quality headset.

Weaknesses:
To cheap levers/ derailers.
Lack of handlebar space for lights, computer etc. due to extra brake levers.
Seat guide - plastic (!) key broke meaning seat kepts sliding to the right.
Saddle shape, good rear support but dangerous nose!

Price Paid:  $800.00 at Belmont Wheelworks

Favorite Ride:
Minuteman Bike Path

Bike Setup:
Pretty much stock. Alex rims (from the bike shop, don't know if they're stock or not), slick tires, new toeclips (resin ones snapped)

Summary:
I ride recreationally as well as commuting, but I bought this bike for my rides over Cambridge's pothole-wracked streets. I'd say it payed off.

Fast, light (I can lift it with one hand, which is new for me), responsive most of the time. This bike does what I want, climbs great, and fits fairly well. I've had it a little over a year without doing serious maintenance, and now I'm paying the price in worn parts, but it's still riding ok.

Some of the "comfort" features are beginning to bug me, like the goo from the handlebar padding squeezing out through the tape (which slides over the padding's plastic exterior). The stock saddle is not bad, but somehow I haven't yet found quite the right position to keep me free from crotch pain. And occasionally the upright saddle position encouraged by the handlebar placement makes me wish I was on a pure racing bike.

The drivetrain (Sora, I think, but I don't have it with me to check) started off great, but it's getting worn out by now. I like the gearing, although my small sprockets have been made useless by a combination of wear and derailleur issues.

In general, I bought this because it was an entry level road bike for under a grand. Some compromise on component quality is clearly necessary to reach that price point, and I expected most of it to be more weight and more robust. I think it's actually a little less robust as well as heavier, so perhaps it's time to upgrade some parts. But for what you pay, you get a whole lot of bike!

Strengths:
Light, good climbing, stiff frame rides well, fork is awesome and the seat shock, while not quite damped enough, makes the potholes easier to take (though I worry about the effect they have on my wheels). The inline second pair of brake levers is amazing, especially on downhills.

Weaknesses:
Some issues cornering tightly, brake squeal even with clean pads/rims, wheels don't stay true very well, brakes a little small for 700x26c tires. Interesting problem with front derailleur cable - the housing (it's an indexed shifter) shredded the ferrule on the shifter end of the cable, making the derailleur unusable. Fixed by replacing the cable, but I'm worried it might happen again. Oversized butted aluminum frame makes this bike about as stiff as steel, but harder to attach accessories!

Similar Products Used:
Only other road bike I've had was a friend's 1980 Miyata. A lot heavier, but free :) I like the specialized better overall, but I sometimes miss the feels of a well-made steel frame.

Price Paid:  $680.00 at Washington [DC] Bike

Favorite Ride:
Old Naples, Florida

Bike Setup:
I've upgraded drive components to Shimano New 105, replaced tires with Specialized All Condition Road; and will add LOOK pedals in near future.

Summary:
This is my first road bike. Selected for comfortable fit for an older rider. Has never let me down on that score. I chose to upgrade components rather than give up my Sequoia for another brand. Even with added expense, I've come out ahead due to bargain sale price of the original.

Strengths:
Responsive ride, non-rusting frame; comfortable handlebars; great fork; comfortable saddle and post; very useful extra break levers; and marvelous color and lines - draws compliments at tours.

Weaknesses:
Entry-level components, especially Sora shifters, etc are barely passable, especially for MSRP, which fortunately I didn't pay. Tires are difficult to dismount and remount.

Similar Products Used:
1996 Multi-Track TREK 7200 which went through two frames in sub-tropical climate, plus my original Shelby Flyer which lives on in my memory!

Price Paid:  $750.00 at Spokes, Wheaton

Favorite Ride:
Fox River trail

Bike Setup:
Mostly stock. Terry Liberator saddle, SPD pedals transfered from my mountain bike.

Summary:
This is my first road bike - I've been riding a Specialized Hardrock with slicks for a couple years. I LOVE the bike. It is fast, comfortable, and fun to ride.

For a long time I assumed that drop handlebars would be uncomfortable and unnecessary for a recreational rider - I'm not racing, so I don't want a race bike. Then I started noticing how uncomfortable my hands were on the flat mountain bike bar, and the fact that a drop bar gives so many more hand positions.

The Sequoia seemed like a great compromise - more comfort than a "racing" bike, lots of hand positions, etc. I've had it a little over a month and have put over 200 miles on it.

Strengths:
Comfort - love the seatpost, curvy handlebars and carbon fork. I can't compare the handlebars to regular drop bars since I've never used them, but I like the way the sweep back and allow a more upright position.

Weaknesses:
Minor glitches with the brakes rubbing - probably just LBS setup issues. Also, I'm running with 700x28mm tires, and there isn't enough clearance to remove the front tire easily - I need to take out some air first. Didn't like the stock saddle at all.