Specialized Sequoia Elite – Commuter/Bikepacker/Adventurer

January 7, 2017/in Blog, Product Reviews, Products /by Kim

The New Specialized Sequoia Elite has arrived at the store and is certainly raising eyebrows with a lot of customers. They ask what is is? A Touring Bike, a dropbar off-road machine, an adventure seeker, a commuter? Well the answer is all of them. This is the bike for the rider that wants a “bike’. Something that can do everything in a world of so many categories and so many niche to fit into. Stop by the store and check it out. Plus we have all the accessories to kit it out from Frame bags to Pizza Racks. Read what Bikeradar have to say about it.

The Specialized Sequoia Elite is a refreshingly affordable adventurer

Wildcard steel adventure bike at a welcome price

Specialized s Sequoia Elite is one of a few adventure bikes that uses a steel frame at this pricepoint — Specialized’s Sequoia Elite is one of a few adventure bikes that uses a steel frame at this pricepoint

(Oliver Woodman / Immediate Media)

Earlier this year, Specialized released a surprisingly affordable line of adventure road bikes under the Sequoia name. Our American colleagues have already given the top-level Sequoia Expert a good going over (and you can read about that here), but it’s this cheaper Specialized Sequoia Elite model that caught our attention here in the UK.

The Specialized Sequoia Elite retails for $2659.99 CDN, meaning it has to compete with well-equipped alloy bikes from the likes of GT and Norco. The thing is, the Sequoia is a bit of a wildcard as — if you hadn’t already noticed — it features a steel frame.

You’d be forgiven for not noticing too, as Specialized’s smart ways of working with metal haven’t skipped this frame. Look closer and you’ll notice a whole host of shapes and bends that aren’t typically found in mass produced chromoly. The rear end rotates on a 142x12mm rear axle and leaves ample room for the Sequoia’s 42mm tyres, enough room to make use of its fender mounts without changing rubber.

The Sequoia Elite is one of a relatively small number of steel frame adventure bikes on sale this year

Should you want to switch out to smaller 650B wheels then this wouldn’t be a problem, and by doing so you’ll free up clearances for a tyre of up to 47mm too.

Geometry-wise, this is a model that “skews the line between a traditional road bike and a dedicated touring rig”. A long wheelbase (1053mm / 41.46in for a size 56) matches up to a low bottom bracket (292.5mm / 11.52in for size 56) while 71.5 / 73.5 degree head tube and seat angles have been chosen to keep the handling from being too lazy.

Beneath the frame’s tapered headtube is an own-brand carbon fork. It’s a disc fork with a 12x100mm thru-axle. As you’d expect there’s the appropriate hardware for racks and mudguards, but a nice touch that’s worth mentioning is the fork’s water bottle mounts which serve in addition to the three you can already find on the Sequoia frame.

Gaping clearances are good for 45mm rubber or the standard fit tyres plus mudguards

Unlike the costly top-spec Sequoia, the Elite spec bike uses a double transmission. Up front there’s an FSA Gossamer Pro chainset with a 48/32T ring combination, this also turns on a regular, threaded bottom bracket. At the rear there’s a black 11-36t Sunrace cassette and a Shimano 105 rear derailleur. The front derailleur also comes from Shimano’s 105 line, and the same can be said for the ugly yet capable 505 level shifters.

Squeeze the levers and hydraulic fluid act on the ever-popular Shimano RS505 brakes — the calipers of which use Shimano’s neat flat-mount standard. The discs are mounted to Specialized’s own-brand Hayfield wheels, which pair a broad box-section rim with custom hubs. The 42mm Sawtooth tyres are also in-house items, they’re tubeless ready and were quick to impress BikeRadar’s Josh Patterson when he tried them out on the range-topping bike.

The Sequoia is a road bike with riser bars

Also worthy of a mention is Specialized’s handlebar — essentially a riser bar for the road with flared drops, it does away with the need for unsightly spacers beneath the stem. The standard bar tape has an unusual denim-like finish that’s shared with the Phenom Comp saddle. At 11.8kg / 26lbs for this 58cm example the Sequoia has definitely eaten some of the pies, but whether or not this will spoil the ride is yet to be confirmed.

Talking of which, we’re about to hand the Sequoia over to our colleagues at Cycling Plus, so stay tuned for a full review.

MTBR.com PLUS Bike of the Year 2016 – Santa Cruz Hightower

January 7, 2017/in Blog, Products /by Kim

The Santa Cruz Hightower 27.5+ bike has been making waves on the North Shore in recent months. The guys at MTBR give it the thumbs up as the best Plus bike. Its a super versatile trail bike or enduro slayer. Change up the wheels to 29er and you have a bike capable to race XC or do an epic back country trip. Ask any of the staff at Steed who are shredding on one right now.

Winner: Santa Cruz Hightower

What makes the Santa Cruz Hightower great? For starters, it’s not just a plus bike; it’s a trail ripping, do-it-all singletrack slayer that can be set up with 27.5+ wheels and a 150mm fork or 29er hoops and 140mm of front end squish. Regardless of set-up, geometry stays true to designer intention thanks in part to flip chip in the shock-driving link. This subtle adjustment assures that the bike’s aggressive angles stay the same no matter your preferred tire girth, and it allows riders some leeway in case they change their mind about what wheel/tire size is best for them.

Whether you opt for wagon wheels or plus-sized fun, you’ll benefit from a slack, 67-degree headtube angle, flickable 434mm chainstays, and low’ish 13.2-inch bottom bracket height (threaded BB, of course).

The suspension is a slightly re-worked version of the ever popular VPP that’s been a mainstay of the Santa Cruz stable for years. It delivers superb straight-line stability at speed no matter how nasty the rock garden, and when the bike is pointed uphill, pedaling is efficient, allowing the rider to keep the stock RockShox Monarch shock in open mode for better traction and overall control. This uphill acumen is bolstered by a 74.3-degree seat tube angle that keeps you in attack mode and the front wheel solidly planted on the trail.

For pure trail taming traction (not to mention increased fun factor) the plus set-up is the way to go.

Hub spacing is boost and the bike works with 1x drivetrains only, which is just fine with us because frankly, we’re done with front derailleurs. Other notable features include a smartly designed carbon sleeve that’s molded directly into the downtube, making rear derailleur cable routing a painless procedure. We also love the 31.6mm diameter seat tube, which plays nice with RockShox’s 150mm Reverb dropper, a stock component across the line.

Build options range from high end carbon frame and high zoot components for $7800, to more budget friendly mid-range carbon frame and bits for $4600. The only thing missing is an alloy model, but we’d bet that’ll come down the pike in 2017. Bottom line, the Santa Cruz Hightower can do a lot of things and do them well. And that’s what you want from a plus bike, or any mountain bike for that matter. For more of the nitty gritty details on one of 2016’s best all-around rides, check out the Mtbr first ride review.

Read more about the bike here and the other winners. The Stumpjumper Fattie gets an honourable mention too.

Sako7socks Arrive at Steed!

June 30, 2015/in Blog, Products /by Kim

Sako7socks are now available at Steed Cycles.
Come see what we have in stock because we are sure these are going to go fast!

Follow Sako7socks on instagram for the latest!

Specialized 2016 Stumpjumper FSR

May 26, 2015/in Blog, Mountain Bikes, Products /by Kim

Specialized’s Stumpjumper FSR is a mainstay in the company’s lineup, a bike that’s designed to bridge the gap between an XC bike and a full-blown enduro race machine. Last season saw the introduction of the Stumpjumper 650b, signalling the official end of Specialized’s reluctance to enter the mid-sized wheel market. For 2016 any hint of that hesitation is gone, and there are new versions of the 650b and 29” models, a tool storage solution that’s unlike anything currently on the market, and even a 27.5+ option that’s sure to raise some eyebrows. As the action packed week of Crankworx came to a close in Rotorua, New Zealand, we headed to the outskirts of town for a few days to get a closer look at the updated bikes, as well as spend some time on the trails with the athletes and employees who were instrumental in the design process.

With the exception of the Comp model, all of the Stumpjumpers come equipped with SRAM 1×11 drivetrains, and a RockShox Pike fork, either the RCT3 or the RC. Stopping duties are handled by Shimano’s proven hydraulic brakes, and Specialized takes care of the tires with a Butcher up front and a Purgatory in the rear.

The last few seasons have seen Specialized release a number of solutions designed to make it easier to ditch the hydration pack, such as bib shorts with extra pockets, a multi-tool that mounts to a water bottle cage, and even a chain tool that’s stored in the headset topcap. On the carbon framed Stumpjumper’s Specialized takes their SWAT (Storage, Water, Air, Tools) technology to the next level with the inclusion of a secret compartment built into the down tube, an ingenious way of creating additional storage for a spare tube, a pump, and maybe a few snacks (or to fill with rocks to prank an unsuspecting riding buddy).

Underneath the water bottle mount located on the down tube is a panel that can easily be removed by flipping a latch, granting access to the inside of the down tube. To keep items from rattling around against the frame, Specialized has developed a cloth wrap that’s specifically designed to hold a tube, and another one for a pump, and there’s also a plastic plug in place a few inches down from the lower portion of the SWAT door opening that prevent items from dropping out of reach towards the bottom bracket shell.

Review from Pinkbike, to read more on the 650b & 29 versions: http://www.pinkbike.com/news/first-ride-2016-specialized-stumpjumper-fsr-2015.html

POC Octal Raceday Helmet

April 21, 2015/in Products /by Kim

The award winning Octal helmet has been engineered to take the next step in road bike helmet safety and offers optimal ventilation, comfort and weighs less than 200 grams (size M, CE-version).

To further improve safety, the Octal provides more coverage and additional protection for the temples and back of the head and the EPS liner is strategically thicker in the most exposed areas.

The fully wrapped unibody shell construction functions as a monocoque and enhances the safety properties and construction integrity of the helmet while maintaining a low weight.

POC has approached ventilation in a unique way and instead of using many small vents, Octal has fewer, but larger, ventilation slots. This ventilation design allows more air to flow through the helmet, which also results in improved aerodynamic performance.

The lightweight size adjustment system ensures a comfortable and secure fit while the Coolbest padding helps reduce the temperature at the interface between the helmet and head.

As a part of the AVIP concept, Octal AVIP comes in high visibility colors, with a reflective sticker kit and with an ICE tag.

Based on the award winning Octal helmet, Octal MIPS has been further developed and equipped with MIPS technology (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) to reduce the rotational forces to the brain in the case of an oblique impact.

TECHNICAL FEATURES

High performance EPS liner, optimized in density.
Fully wrapped unibody shell construction.
Generously ventilated, using POC’s unique ventilation design.
Size adjustment system.
Straps molded into liner.
Temperature regulating Coolbest padding.
Eye garage to keep your sunglasses securely in position when placed on the helmet.

SIZES & WEIGHT

Small: 50-56 cm (190 g)
Medium: 54-60 cm (195 g)
Large: 56-62 cm (205 g)

Acre-Supply Spring 2015 Cycling Collection

April 15, 2015/in All Mountain, Blog, History, Products /by Kim

After rigorous field testing around the world, Acre-Supply has released it’s Spring 2015 cycling collection. The latest offering is designed to help riders cover the most ground possible, no matter the conditions. The collection utilizes the most advanced fabrics from around the world including mil-spec stretch nylon from the USA, Italian knit jerseys, New Zealand merino wool shirts, and ultralight waterproof-breathable shells constructed in Vancouver, Canada.

Created by Mission Workshop, Acre-Supply is a collection of hydration packs and apparel designed to balance the need to climb light and fast with durable protection from the elements.

Thoughtful design and attention to detail make this collection equally at home on the mountain, trail, open road, or city streets. ACRE apparel is comprised of highly articulated jackets and shorts combined with durable stretch fabrics to allow maximum movement in a minimalist design. In addition, merino jerseys and base layers provide thermal regulation and moisture management over a wide range of temperatures and conditions. The 2015 product range includes quick drying shirts, versatile pullovers, long distance padded compression shorts, ultralight waterproof-breathable outerwear, and all-mountain over-shorts constructed using durable 4-way stretch nylon.

View the new line at ACRE-Supply.com

7mesh Clothing arrives at Steed Cycles

March 1, 2015/in Blog, Products /by Kim

If you have been hiding under a rock all winter you will not know who they are. If you have been on every bike website or all over Social Media you will of heard all about 7mesh. Based in Squamish the team have a huge background in outdoor performance apparel industry and have recently come together to form this new company. Check out www.7meshinc.com for the full story.

Here are some reviews to read below:

The Gear Caster wrote:

7mesh Revelation Jacket Review

By Amy Jurries on January 4, 2015

For most of us, winter means simply switching from our road and mountain bikes over to our cross bike or even fat bike. Squamish, BC based 7mesh understands this–so built a bomber jacket to see us through the inclement weather season. With the goal of releasing a full line of bike apparel come February, 7mesh started with the Launch Edition of the Revelation Jacket. And what a start it is.Upon first seeing the minimalist, clean design of the Revelation Jacket, you can tell the team behind this new company all worked for Arc’teryx at one point (including former CEO Tyler Jordan). Even more so when you slip the jacket on–the fit is impeccable.The design details are extremely well thought out. For example, the removable, under-helmet hood starts at the side of the collar, not the very front as you might find in normal outdoor jackets. This means you won’t strangle yourself when hunched over your bike, fully zipped up against the rain and your vision is never compromised–a critical feature on a bike.

7mesh Revelation

Made from Gore-Tex Pro (first time Gore’s premiere fabric is used in cycling apparel), the Revelation Jacket protects you against the weather while remaining highly breathable. To dump excess heat, you can open either the zippered forearm or long side vents–the side vents double as pass-through access to your jersey pockets.

I have worn this jacket for everything from torrential rain mudfests to cold (30s and 40s), sunny, and dry road rides. Never once did I have a problem with overheating. If I had a long uphill slog in front of me, I simply unzipped one or both the side vents. These vents are a bit tricky to unzip while you are riding (at least for me), but definitely simple to close again.

Following the outdoor light and fast movement, the Revelation Jacket weighs a scant 9.5 ounces. You will find no heavy or clunky zippers, snaps, or seams here. Two slim hand pockets hold your ride essentials without getting bulky.

Revelation Jacket

The drop hem provides plenty of coverage to protect your backside from rain and mud, even if you don’t run fenders. The face fabric sheds debris like a boss. I could come home from a gravel ride covered in mud and the jacket would be clean as a whistle.

At $475 the Revelation Jacket does not come cheap. But much like the Arc’teryx jacket I own, I expect it to remain in my arsenal for many years to come. While the Launch Edition Revelation Jacket is currently sold out in some men’s sizes (email them if you are interested in women’s), keep 7mesh on your radar for next month. I am very excited to check out the full line.

We have the revelation and Re-Gen jackets in store now. We also carry the S2S jersey and Glidepath Shorts.

New 2015 Shimano Torbal Shoes review

November 15, 2014/in Blog, Products /by Kim

The guys at BikeRumor check out the new Shimano Torbal Shoe range.

Even though Shimano is calling their new TORBAL line enduro specific, the shoe’s designer is emphatic – it’s a mountain biking shoe. That is to say that the shoe is designed for the way many of us ride on a regular basis, not just when racing Enduro. Key to the new range is what Shimano is calling their TORBAL technology, or Torsional balance. Rather than design the shoe for walking as seems to be popular with many trail and AM shoes, the TORBAL line is designed to allow torsional flex yet staying stiff to the pedals.

TORBAL combined with varying levels of impact protection is what gets you to the point of an Enduro shoe. After 25 years of making mountain bike shoes, the SH-M200 name makes a return along with a bunch of interesting tech. The result is a shoe we can’t wait to get on the trail (or already did).

Check out the new TORBAL line in detail, plus what makes the Unzen 4 Enduro race pack unique, next….

At the heart of all the TORBAL models is the specially designed, carbon infused sole plate. Carrying a Shimano Stiffness Rating of 8 (from 4-11), the inner ribs allow for the shoe to flex torsionally without effecting the ankle or the hip yet remain pedal efficient. This TORBAL plate is found on all of the new Enduro shoes.

Starting with the new SH-M200 at the high end on the left, Shimano is also introducing the SH-M163, and SH-m089 as well. While the SH-M200 heavily armored and is the only shoe to get the speed lace system, the other two models still receive the low profile buckle and Cross-X straps. All three shoes use Shimano’s Volume + last for increased toe box room.

Another big difference between the models is in how the rubber meets the trail. The SH-M200 (far right) is gifted a 3 density outsole where the black perimeter lugs are the standard high density rubber, the white and red are higher durometer for increased durability, and the two vertical struts on either side of the cleat are even harder to provide enhanced stability when clipped in. The SH-M163 makes do with a dual-density outsole with the reinforced pedal supports, and the SH-M089 uses a standard single density outsole.

New to all of the shoes is an improved cleat mounting system that allows for greater adjustment front to back. Shimano noticed that many enduro racers (and guys with big feet) were riding their cleats as far back as possible and would probably push them back further if they could. To address that the new shoes have an extended channel that will allow much more rearward position than previous. Each shoe includes a red spacer to place in front, or behind the cleat nut holes to take up the extra space.

Since the shoes are designed for pedaling first and walking second, Shimano wanted to provide the necessary cushion without impacting the pedal efficiency. Rather than build EVA foam into the shoe itself, Shimano built it into the insole of the SH-M200 for excellent shock absorption and comfort without changing the pedaling dynamics. The 163 and 089 get similar shaped insoles, but without the EVA foam.

At the top of the heap, the SH-M200 is sleek and designed for pedaling, but still includes an impressive amount of impact protection for when things get sideways. The asymmetrical ankle collar manages to add substantial protection with out affecting your pedaling, while the rest of the shoe includes low profile armor and a reinforced toe. Because of the armor, venting is minimal except for the toe with a large two layer mesh. The SH-M200 will retail for an impressive $180 with availability soon.

Comparatively, the SH-163 and SH-m089 are lacking in the armor department which may make them the perfect shoe depending on your needs. More than one person out at Interbike referred to the SH-M163 as the sleeper trail shoe, and we would probably agree. The shoe boast more armoring than your typical XC shoe with an outsole designed more for riding than racing with a comfortable fit and a retail of only $150. The Sh-M089 will also be an excellent trail shoe for those looking to spend a bit less with retail set at $120.

POC Octal has landed at Steed Cycles

March 11, 2014/in Blog, History, Miscellaneous, Product Reviews, Products, Reviews /by Kim

We have been waiting for the new POC Octal to arrive in Steed for a long time. After seeing it in person at Interbike last year and having a pre production one in store to oodle at we know its going to be a huge hit. The looks are not the norm expected from a road helmet, but when have POC ever stuck to the rules. Its all about Airflow and safety with the Swedish Manufacturer.

The helmet weighs 193 grams in Large and the fit is second to none. It comes in 3 colours (White, Garminium Blue, Safety Orange). Expect to see the Steed Team racing in the Orange this season.

One key feature to look out for is the Eye Garage which will hold any style of cycling glass firmly on your helmet. You will not lose your valuable shades on any ride.

Check out www.pocsports.com for more information. Stop by the shop and try it on. You will not regret it.

Icebreaker Clothing Now 30% – 50% off!

February 8, 2013/in Products /by Kim

February 8, 2013

Between now and February 28, 2013, all mens and woman’s Icebreaker Merino Wool clothing will be 30% – 50% off. Have you tried a piece on yet? The staff at Steed Cycles can not get enough of this stuff. It was definitely one of our favorite pieces of 2012.

Merino 101

The merino is one of the world’s most ancient breeds of sheep. And one of the toughest.

Very different to a regular sheep who chews grass in the lowlands, our merino live in the extremes of New Zealand’s Southern Alps. Regular sheep would freeze to death up there.

But the merino’s fleece is built for extremes – breathable in summer, insulating in winter, yet exceptionally soft and lightweight.

We’ve pioneered the use of merino wool in the wilderness since 1994, and now we’ve fused nature and technology to create merino layers for the outdoors, for performance sports, and for the city.

Why wear Icebreaker merino?

Once, just about everyone wore clothes made from traditional wool in the outdoors. That’s why people in really old photos are never smiling. Traditional wool may have been warm, but it itched like crazy. And it was bulky, heavy, and took forever to dry.

Icebreaker merino combines the best qualities of traditional wool, synthetics and cotton. It’s soft and non-itch, it’s warm in the cold and cool in the heat, it breathes to prevent clamminess, and it has a miraculous ability to warn off stinkiness – you can run a marathon and still smell as sweet as if you’ve spent the day on the sofa.

And because it was made in the mountains, rather than a lab, merino wool is renewable, recyclable and biodegradable.

How does Icebreaker merino perform?

Why layer merino?

Icebreaker has adapted merino wool into a system of lightweight layers that give you the same freedom to explore your environment. Wear a next-to-skin layer in warmer weather, then layer up for insulation in the cold.

When Icebreaker garments are layered together, air is trapped in between each fine layer to ramp up the warmth. Your layers lock together like a single lightweight garment.

Want to see what’s on sale? Check out our photo album on Facebook here.