Sequoia Merz

Jim Merz is a legendary frame builder, so it should stand to reason that any frame bearing his name has to be, well, legendary in its own right. We were up to the challenge, but we thought it would just be easier to ask him to help us construct the Sequoia Merz Edition.

Each bike will be hand-numbered and only produced one time, starting this spring. It features a Pro-level frameset in an Expert build, with an exposed brushed stainless chainstay and custom colors/graphics that tie back to the heritage of Merz Bicycles. Meanwhile, the stem, seat clamp, and Cruzero wheels are all custom anodized in a warm grey. And lastly, each bike will come with a Swift Industries saddle tool roll that's been custom-made in Seattle.

The Sequoia's path to adventure starts at the frame, which we constructed from Premium Cr-Mo tubing. This material is coveted for its strength, respectable weight, and tuned ride quality. And we took this a step further by selecting tubes that are specific to each frame size, further ensuring that every frame rides exactly as we intended. Of course, this is only a piece of the equation, with the next being its dedicated Adventure Geometry.

This geometry is unique in that it skews the line between a traditional road bike and a dedicated touring rig. You'll find an ample wheelbase and low bottom bracket for control, but the chainstays and tube angles ensure that you'll be able to travel efficiently and quickly, regardless of whether or not your rig is loaded.

Digging into the details, the frame is outfitted with an ample number of mounts for water, racks, and fenders. And for the build, we included reliable parts, like a SRAM Force 1 groupset, powerful hydraulic disc brakes, and hand-built Cruzero wheels that are cased in wide, 2Bliss Ready tires.