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Rare 1981 Specialized Sequoia by Tim Neenan - Yoshi Konno (3Rensho) - $1,589 (Woodbridge)
Cloverdale Rd near Benita Fitzgerald Dr
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This is a very rare 1981 Specialized Sequoia touring road bike designed by Tim Neenan and built by Yoshi Konno's shop (3Rensho). This vintage cycling gem combines style and performance for the avid rider seeking a bike that can go on a long ride and go do a race next day. This unique bike features a chromoly steel frame in a distinctive blue metallic color, with 700C wheels and caliper brakes for smooth and reliable stopping power. With its touring design and comfortable ride, this vintage Specialized Sequoia is a sought-after collector's item for enthusiasts of classic cycling.
The original Sequoias (1981) were built by none other than Yoshi Konno at 3Rensho and came with a factory paint matched chrome plated Ishiwata fork that has unique lugs, a heart with a vent hole and Shimano dropouts. These lugged bikes have a unique design with long thin lugs and fastback stays. The full chromoly frame lends itself to longevity, and the original headtube logo signify the early years of Specialized. The "Specialized" brand decal is on both sides of the downtube. There's a "Designed by Tim Neenan" decal on the left chainstay. Interestingly, the "Sequoia" decal is only on the right side of the top tube and none are on the left side of the top tube. At the Specialized Corporate Museum they have Mike Sinyard's original Sequoia hanging on display. Later 1982 and onward frames were redesigned by Jim Merz, another well known frame designer/builder, built by different Japanese frame manufacturers and different decals. You can search in Bike Forums (where Mr. Neenan and Mr. Merz are members themselves) and Google for history of what makes this bike unique and sought after.
The first batch did not have serial numbers on the bottom bracket shell but only the frame size. This one is a 51cm. The unique cable guides under the bottom bracket also signifies this batch along with chrome plated Shimano dropouts on the frame, chrome plated fork (factory painted on this one) and the fast back style seat stay.
The bike is equipped with a mix of classic vintage parts from 3 major component manufacturers during the early 80s:
Crankset, Pedals and Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore DE20 series "Deerhead" (the original Deore groupset, Shimano's first mountain touring group from 1980, and the first TriColor which eventually became the 600) https://www.shimano.com/en/100th/history/products/photos/27/1.jpg?20220210
Crankset: FC-DE20 (FC-DE30) with "One Key" self extracting crank bolts
Pedals: PD-DE10 (PD-DE20)
Rear Derailleur: RD-DE20 (not sure what bottom bracket, but it spins smooth.
Bottom Bracket: Unknown, with plated spindle, not Shimano, tool does not fit, in excellent condition and smooth spinning.
Front Derailleur: Campagnolo Record 3 hole, may be original equipment
Wide range freewheel: 6-speed, looks maybe Suntour 14-32T
Chain: looks like Suntour
Shifters: Suntour bar end friction shifters
Headset: Shimano 600 headset with cartridge bearings in like new condition, not a scratch
Brake Levers: Shimano 600 non aero drilled levers (new "replacement" black brake hoods) in like new condition
Brake Calipers: Campagnolo Nuovo Record Calipers with excellent like new condition pad blocks, may be original equipment
Wheelset/Tires: Custom built by Hi-E, Quick Release Hi-E Hubset, Sun Mistral Rims, DT Swiss Stainless Steel Spokes, and Kenda Kwest 700x28C tires
Handlebars and Stem: Cinelli stem and handlebars with new black cork bar tape
Saddle: Selle San Marco with leather cover
Seat Post: SR Laprade Fluted with color matched flutes, original equipment most likely
When the current owner obtained this classic bike, he had Hi-E custom build the Wheelset.
The bike has gone through a complete tune-up, cleaning, and installing of new tires, cable housings, brake hoods, and bar wrap.
With the vintage and limited tolerances of the gearset on this bike (compared to today's components), it's important for the rider to not use gear combinations that causes "cross chaining" where the chain is at extreme angles between the front and rear gearset. Meaning don't use the smallest front chainring with the smallest rear cog or the largest front chainring with the largest rear cog. Doing so causes excessive noise, wear, and jamming of the chain in the rear derailleur and potential damage.
Vintage, 1981, 45yr fresh, used, some minor scratches and chips at common wear points. Ready for the next caretaker of this piece of bicycle history.
For additional photos:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10HyBvKLr8FgyULqvJJN9Rv6IeUaYX7px
Searching on Google for "1981 Specialized Sequoia" yields an AI summary below:
"The 1981 Specialized Sequoia was a high-quality, Japanese-built touring/road bike, notable as part of Specialized's first year lineup alongside the famous Stumpjumper, featuring a lugged steel frame often attributed to renowned builders like 3Rensho (Yoshi Konno) or Miki Sakai, known for its excellent ride, ample tire clearance for the era, and distinctive features like fastback seatstays, making it a sought-after collectible for vintage bike enthusiasts.
Key Characteristics:
Builder: Often built by legendary Japanese frame builders like Yoshi Konno of 3Rensho or Miki Sakai, noted for high craftsmanship.
Frame: Lugged steel, sometimes with size stamped on the bottom bracket (BB) instead of a serial number.
Features: Fastback seatstays (especially early models), ample tire clearance for large tires (for its time), and often Shimano 600 Arabesque components.
Legacy: A foundational bike for Specialized, predating the widespread popularity of the Stumpjumper, and a precursor to modern gravel bikes due to its touring design.
Why It's Special:
Quality Construction: Represents the high-end Japanese manufacturing Specialized used in its early days.
Rarity: Hard to find in original, excellent condition, making it desirable for collectors.
Versatility: Its touring geometry and tire clearance hinted at the mixed-terrain capabilities of later bikes, a concept Specialized revisited with modern Sequoias.
If you have one, it's a piece of cycling history, often celebrated for its ride quality and connection to top Japanese builders."
Additional Internet posts:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1315331-yoshi-konno-built-specialized-sequoia.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/406759-early-1980-s-specialized-sequoia.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1287866-finished-3rensho-specialized-sequoia.html
https://www.chiefcyclery.com/content/2016/8/9/beautifulbicycletimneenandesignedspecializedsequoia