FS: 63cm Specialized Sequoia, 1985 or '86, Asking $325, FFHSBBSP

[Jeffery S]

Up for sale is a 63cm Specialized Sequoia, 1985 or '86? Asking $325 plus shipping for FFHSBB and Soma Setback seatpost.

This Bicycle Guide article with details is from June 1986 – https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1254945-road-test-bike-review-1986-specialized-sequoia.html


Local pick up can happen in Denver. The original Specialized headset & bottom bracket are in good shape, freshly re-packed with grease over the weekend. Please double check things are properly adjusted when the frame is built up. It takes a 27.0 seatpost, which was difficult to find when building the frame. Hopefully the Soma will get you riding sooner.

There is no denying it, it has beausage. It’s been a commuter/path bike in a mostly dry Denver for 1.5 years. Before that it was in SF and came to me with scratches & surface rust from The City. I sprayed Boeshield inside and cleaned it up as best I could. Soon after, the rusted top center cable guide broke off and added some more scratches. The sharp edges are filed smooth and touched up with nail polish. There is a small crack on the non-drive side seat clamp. It doesn’t effect secure clamping, but to prevent further damage I used a second wrench to prevent bolt movement when tightening.

Lots of photos showing condition – https://photos.app.goo.gl/VsHxs6eYW8adMDW98

Here's a photo of it built up, extremely similar to Roman's. There are some additional detail pics at the end of the photo album – none of the parts are for sale right now. Some build info for reference and my own little review is below.

Please DM me for inquiries about the sale. Thanks!




Jeff

The fenders are B55 SKS Blumels found at Rivendell. They had to be trimmed around the fork blades. Otherwise, no problems and there is plenty of room. The tires are Soma Grand Randonneurs, 650b x 42mm, measuring 41mm on Velocity Altas rims. With the axle pulled to the back of the dropout, there is 3-4mm spacing on each side of the chainstays. I didn’t have any rubbing issues. There is a little more spacing between the fork blades. I initially ran 700c x 35mm on Velocity A23s and that fit easy.

I thought a lot about the build, wanting to match some of the original parts. Also, I had some nice stuff in mind and pieces from my bin that would be nice on it. Highlights are the Ritchey Logic cranks, OG Shimano "Deerhead" drivetrain, stem mounted Gran Compe friction shifters, Albatross bars, Selle Anatomica saddle, Atlas dynamo wheels, Busch+Müller lights.

The part I thought about the least and had to be the most bang for the buck – Clem Smith plastic pedals. I think Riv called them “cheapy pedals” at first. I wanted to start riding and couldn’t find VP-001s or MKS pedals or whatever I thought I needed. Ordered the cheapies, thought for sure they’d be replaced, but it didn’t happen. My feet never slipped, the pedals feel just as stiff as the metal VP version, pretty much the same shape, and there aren’t metal pins to dig into my legs. These will definitely be going on another bike.

This thing has been a blast, super comfy and sure footed. It feels faster than it looks and rides smooth & intuitive – like you don’t need to think about it. I read Grant Petersen had high praise for the 80s Sequoias and I completely agree. 

When it comes to the scratches/beausage, I haven’t worried about it because the bike just rides great. Plus, I don’t look at the frame when spinning the cranks up the hill to work or when flying back down on the way home. As the Bicycle Guide article says, “if the outer image of the Sequoia says anything at all, it is this: ‘shut up and ride.’”

However, unfortunately & fortunately, I need room in the garage for my wife’s surprise new bike – a Soma Buena Vista. She has been riding an 80s Lotus steel frame road bike for 15 years and it is past time for an upright upgrade. I missed out on the Platypus release and jumped on a 30% off Soma sale for the BV frame. She really likes the Lotus and we’ll keep it. Bicycle storage-wise, it needs to be a one in, one out situation. The Sequoia has a lot of overlap with my 1983 Trek 620 – that one wins out for sentimental reasons. Also, with the current build, a lot of parts from the Sequoia can easily be transferred to the Buena Vista.

So, hopefully the Sequoia will find a great new home and a new friend to ride with. Thanks for making it this far, ha!