need bike recommendations / input / your brain

Hi there.

I'm a relative novice to cycling but trying to learn.

I need your input.

I have a bike that I really fit well on and love to ride, but I don't think it's a Katy Trail bike. It's a 2008 Specialized Sequoia Elite. The bike has 700x25 tires, too narrow for Katy. Sadly, there doesn't look to be enough clearance to mount anything beefier on there at all. Not a lateral space issue, but the brakes sit so close to the contact surface of the tire up top that there isn't room for anything else, I don't believe.

So, what I'd like to do is get another bike that is more versatile on trails. The key is, though, I'd like its geometry to be as close to the Sequoia as I can get. Basically duplicate the Sequoia in a more trail friendly version.

Specs on my current bike, 56cm or L size:

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/archive/2009/sequoia/sequoiaelite#geometry

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/archive/2008/sequoia/sequoiaelite#specs

The reason I'd like to stick close to this feel is that I've never had a bike this nice or that I fit as well before. I know it's a fairly low end bike in the big picture, but from what I'm used to, it's a Mercedes. lol.



I'm not super well versed in bike geometry to where I can look at specs like some of you and get an instant idea of how the bike is set up.

Input appreciated. My initial thoughts are something along the lines of a Spec AWOL or Salsa Vaya. Those get a tad pricey, though, but could stretch.

Thank you. Thoughts appreciated.

Matt

I have the Salsa Vaya and love it. The Kona Jake is a nice gravel bike at about $1200.

Believe it or not (and I'm a bike guy), the bike is not that important. Almost any bike that is comfortable and you like to ride will do, even a road bike. What you have will work. Admittedly, the 25's are a little skinny for my taste. Others would say the 25's are great. Bicycle demands of the Katy are nominal.

If you want to go cheap, find a 10 year old rigid mountain bike for $200, get it tuned up, put 1 1/2" or 2" wide slicks on it, a comfy seat and grips, and have at it.

I have a Vaya, and I love it. As it sits, I have $2000 in it: It is no faster (or even better....ouch)than a decent hybrid--at least as far as using it on the Katy goes (Touring--that is another story). There is a long thread on this website where I sing the praises of my Vaya. But a good hybrid will do everything you need it to on the Katy. Look at getting something like a $600 Kona Dew Plus for 1/2 the price of the Vaya, and spend the remaining $ elsewhere.

I also recommend you stay fully rigid (no need for suspension, and if you get disc brakes, stay mechanical (not hydraulic).

MidSouth,
When did you get a Vaya? I thought you were a Niner guy?

If brake clearance is the only issue, you may also consider getting some long reach brakes. Tektro make some nice dual pivots, and you could get a set for $60 on eBay.

Or, you could get a Vaya, or a hybrid, or an old mountain bike (and put some drop bars on it???), or a Long Haul Trucker, or a touring bike, or...........

Arky is right. How often will you ride the KT 2-3, or 20-30 times a year.
How many miles on the Sequoia, 200-500-1000-3000? Where do you ride it, road, trail, off road? Don't need a "mercedes" if you are just going to look at it. Vaya, hybrid, walmart special are all good for the good ole KT.

Thanks for the replies.

I ride my Sequoia as a fitness bike. I try to ride it 10 miles every morning. I plan on increasing this distance as time goes on. Compared to what I came from, it feels super efficient.

I own an old Spec Hardrock Sport mountain bike. I bought it new in the late 90's. It's a steel nonsuspension mountain bike. Right now I have it set up for trailer hauling duty to pull my daughter to and from preschool. I'm running Michelin Pilot Sport 26x2.0 tires because I've found they are real comfy on broken pavement. I never sold this bike because it's steel, in good shape, and is a good urban bomber bike when supplied with fat tires. Can pull the kiddo, my Burley Nomad, etc, for relatively short distance hauls. Not super comfy long distance, and kinda slow. It's getting dated (threaded headset, etc), so I'm hesitant to sink money into it.

When I decided to get in shape, I was riding the Hardrock on bike paths around here and some street. It's a flat bar bike, and my right wrist was giving me pain. I started riding the Sequoia and the pain disappeared. Additionally, the Sequoia feels like a Ferrari compared to the Hardrock, which feels like a truck. Most of my daily riding is on city streets in suburban Kansas City.

I could ride the old Hardrock ( in real nice shape ) for a Katy trip I suppose, but after being spoiled by the efficiency level of the Sequoia, that sounds like less fun. Not to mention, limited hand positions compared to a drop bar bike.

I guess my thinking was that over a long distance, I'd way rather be on something more on the efficiency end of the spectrum toward the Sequoia than the 'Rock. Just feels like you're getting a lot more distance for the effort level.

I live 60 or 70 miles from Sedalia or Clinton, MO, in the KC suburbs. So not real convenient to Katy it very often. But there are other crushed limestone trails around here, i.e. Little Blue Trace

You could do a lot worse than that "old Hardrock Sport" for the Katy Trail, it is not a race track anyway. That bike has a lot going for it, especially if it is in good shape. Long wheel base, steel frame, will take racks and fenders if you want, wish I had one in my small collection. If that baby fits, no doubt that I would go with it. But hey, new bikes are nice.

I'm curious, have you tried the Sequoia Elite on the Katy? Those 25's may work out fine.

Our tandem has 700x28's on it...a bit wider than your 25's. Stay in the track and out of the loose stuff and you should be fine.

Arky, yes I'm a Niner guy but bought the Vaya as a retirement present to myself last July. Now I can leave my Niner setup for dirt!

My first "Katy bike" was a 1990ish aluminum rigid 26 hardtail that I put drop bars, road shifters, and slicks on. It was great. My fancy Vaya scratched an itch for me (and I love it), but I don't know that the Vaya is any better than that old aluminum hardtail.

What makes a bike "good" in my opinion is that it is efficient and doesn't need to be constantly adjusted. Bikes from good manufactures have been that way since the 1980s. The new stuff is great, but the old stuff was pretty good too, as far as for riding on something like the Katy goes. An 8 speed rear end, a good saddle (which, for me means a Brooks), double wrapping the bars ( if the bars are drops) or Ergon grips ( if they are mountain bars), clipless pedals, etc. can make an old bike a great joy to ride, especially on a low demand path like the Katy

Then again, the new style hybrids are great, fast, efficient, fun, etc. Get what you want, but know that the one you like riding is likely to be a great one to have on the Katy..

Great feedback and food for thought from everyone. Thank you!