biketoworkguy

So, last year I started bike commuting from 0. I had a history with cycling but hadn't been on a bike in 10 years. Luckily it took, and I commuted pretty much exclusively by bike from June-February when the weather got really nasty here in Maine. This was roughly 2500 miles of commuting. This summer I got the go-ahead from my wife to get a new bike. I'd been researching since about August of last year, so it's possible she was just tired of hearing about it. Not sure. But the end result is that Friday I brought home a 2018 Specialized Sequoia Elite.

I had narrowed it down to the Sequoia or the Jamis Renegade. They are pretty similar, and in test riding I just preferred the overall feel of the Sequoia so that is what I went with. I hated the color, but had decided I could live with it, so imagine my surprise when I went to order the bike and they said "now, which color did you want?" Apparently, 2018 offers a second color call Eastern Sierras which I would best describe as a desert military tan. I went with it sight unseen and am very pleased. I put on some crank brothers pedals and a brooks C17 immediately.

So far it's a straight up gravel bike. I took it for a 13 mile ride exclusively on gravel the other day. That was the first time out and it was awesome. Today I took it out to breakfast, circled around town and ended the ride cutting home through some mild trails. I'm enjoying the multi-mode capabilities.

Eventually, it will end up being more commuting specific. I have a second wheelset I grabbed on EBAY coming (the original Hayfield wheels off another Sequioa) on which I will probably run something narrower and slicker for the daily commute. That way I can leave a wheelset all set up for rail trails and the carriage roads in Acadia. I also have a Tubus Cargo rack on the way since I use panniers for my daily commute.

Anyway, I'm super excited about this bike. My rides so far have been great. Since I spend a lot of time on this commuting forum and most of my riding is commuting I thought I'd share my good fortune here.

prq9218

Nice bike, congrats!

wphamilton

There's a lot to be said for a commuter that you can take off the beaten path whenever you want to. That's a really nice bike.

BobbyG

Sweet! And the second wheelset is a great idea! Maybe mount some studded snow tires for the icy and snowy days?

acidfast7

Whereabouts in Maine, I grew up there

Also, TUBUS is the best choice for a rack.

mcours2006

Great choice! Only thing I don't like is the FSA instead of the 105 crank.

Amitoj

Nice bike. Congratulations!

RidingMatthew

nice bike and I like the color as well.. many happy on or off road miles

ThermionicScott 

Looks like a fun ride! Don't be a stranger.

RubeRad

Looks really cool. I can't tell on the webpage, is that thru-axles front and rear? If so you will love those when you're swapping out your road/adventure wheelsets. No mangling QR springs anymore.

Kedosto

Niiiice. I like your style. Way to go big.

-Kedosto

biketoworkguy

Thanks everyone. I commuted for the first time on it today. As expected it's a joy to ride.

I do have some studded tires I used last winter. They are super slow but do make the process feel more safe once the weather turns really nasty. I'm in Maine just north of Portland, so it's cold and wintery in the winter, but since we are so close to the ocean a lot of the western Maines snow is just rain and freezing mix at least early on in the winter. We end up with a lot of ice to deal with. I kept my old commuting bike (a fender and racked up Tricross) and I think that will be my salty weather bike as I can't stand the thought of subjecting this one to that. Last winter took a toll on my old bike.

This bike does have through axles front and rear. This is the first time I've had that. I have not taken the wheels off yet, but I think it's pretty cool. I like the idea of everything lining up easily for the discs. Speaking of the discs, this is the first time I've had disc brakes, and I am loving the hydraulic discs. I'm pretty sure that's my single favorite thing about the new one.

My rack came today but I have not had a chance to install it yet. Guess I've got to put up with another day or two with the backpack (I prefer panniers).

For anyone whose thinking about the new Sequioa's, I don't have a ton of miles on it yet, but so far its proving to be a lot of fun.

downwinded

That's a great looking bike. I'm sure it's fun to ride as well. Post more pics when you get the rack on. Happy commuting!

JDinTulsa

NICE!! Good color too! Have fun!