Saddles: Specialized Avatar Expert versus the Specialized Avatar Gel
05-10-11, 04:46 PM
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Saddles: Specialized Avatar Expert versus the Specialized Avatar Gel
Regarding Specialized Saddles, what exactly is the difference between the Avatar Expert and the Avatar Gel?
From what I can tell, the Avatar Expert appears to be the same as the "Gel" variation minus the gel, but costs about $30 more.
From what I can tell, the Avatar Expert appears to be the same as the "Gel" variation minus the gel, but costs about $30 more.
05-10-11, 09:13 PM
#2
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If you were to go to the specialized website and read the differences, this is what you would see:
Avatar Expert
Avatar Gel
Avatar Expert
- Medium-density, super-light EVA foam padding for longer rides
- Lightweight and durable hollow titanium rails
Avatar Gel
- Medium density super-light EVA padding with gel inserts for sustained cushioning on longer ride
- Lightweight and super durable hollow chromoly rail
05-11-11, 08:03 AM
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So essentially, for $30 extra, I would be sacrificing comfortability to have a saddle which is slightly lighter and perhaps somewhat more durable.
Got it!
Got it!
05-11-11, 02:55 PM
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Only if you find gel to be more comfortable. It might be for a new rider, but once you get accustomed to a saddle shape the gel may become a non-factor. I actually have one each of these saddles on different bikes and my butt can't tell the difference between them.
05-11-11, 03:45 PM
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05-11-11, 03:52 PM
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Saddles with plenty of cushioning can feel great when you sit on them in the bike shop. Once you actually try to ride with them you might as well be sitting on nails. Your weight should be supported by your sit bones. That's why you have sit bones. Too much cushioning puts the weight on more sensitive bits.
05-11-11, 05:51 PM
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So the consensus here is that the Avatar Expert, with less cushioning than the Avatar "Gel" variation, will be more comfortable for longer rides?
What I really need at this point is a performance-oriented "comfort" saddle for daily commuting and touring, and could care less about weight.
What I really need at this point is a performance-oriented "comfort" saddle for daily commuting and touring, and could care less about weight.
05-11-11, 05:56 PM
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Avatar Gel's cutout really didn't agree with my tender regions. It just increased the pressure at the edges. I found a bike shop with a $12 each bin of take-off saddles and found one that worked for me (Fizik Plateau).
05-12-11, 05:30 PM
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If you are a bigger rider, the titanium rails can be a problem too. I broke one, and when I took it back to the lbs, they knew all about it. Lots of people were bringing them back after a failure. No fun at all.
I hate the gel too...
I hate the gel too...
05-12-11, 08:28 PM
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I just bought an Avatar gel, but haven't been on it for more than 1:40 yet. So far it's pretty comfy, no problem with sit bones bottoming out. I'm doing a three hour ride (not a three hour cruise 
) Saturday, so we'll see how that works out.
) Saturday, so we'll see how that works out.
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Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
05-12-11, 08:32 PM
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Avatar gel came on my Roubaix, and I've done centuries on it without any discomfort.
