Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

Commuter Saddles Avataor or Selle Italia C2?

Search
Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

Commuter Saddles Avataor or Selle Italia C2?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-04-09, 10:04 AM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 16
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Commuter Saddles Avataor or Selle Italia C2?

Been looking at new saddle for my Bianchi San Jose. Have got it down to the Specialized Avatar or the Selle Italia C2 Gel Flow. I could get both for about 40 bucks. I'm inclined to the Selle Italia for the real leather and better weight. However, the Avatar is more padded and wider, 143mm to the C2's 135mm. Anyone have a recommendation. Is the leather on the Selle Italia going to stand up to rain? I'm probably moving to the Pac Northwest this fall so clearly I don't want a saddle that will get ruined in the rain.
manaknight22 is offline  
Old 03-04-09, 10:15 AM
  #2  
member. heh.
 
lambo_vt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Posts: 1,631
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Try them both; there's no way the internet can tell you which saddle your butt will like.
lambo_vt is offline  
Old 03-04-09, 10:21 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
1fluffhead's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: baltimore
Posts: 1,663

Bikes: Pake Track; Bianchi XL EV2 El Reparto Corse, Kona Jake the Snake

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
If you don't need the wider saddle, get the Selle Italia. Have you measured your sitbones? Leather never stands up to rain for extended exposure, but you can treat it and keep it covered when it rains. I am not sure what Selle recommends for leather treatment/waterproofing for their saddles. Pleanty of people ride leather saddles in the Pac NW.
__________________
Originally Posted by diff_lock2
so what if it's custom, are you suddenly NOT a jackass?
1fluffhead is offline  
Old 03-04-09, 12:01 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
bkbrouwer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 263

Bikes: Giant OCR C1, Univega Via Montega

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I ride the Specialized BG2. Very comfy without being a beast of a saddle.
bkbrouwer is offline  
Old 03-04-09, 01:56 PM
  #5  
staring at the mountains
 
superdex's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Castle Pines, CO
Posts: 4,560

Bikes: Obed GVR, Fairdale Goodship, Salsa Timberjack 29

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 394 Post(s)
Liked 197 Times in 112 Posts
I ride the Avatar, but that's because it fits me ...
superdex is offline  
Old 03-04-09, 06:40 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 854

Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Miyata 310 (conversion)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Brooks B17 , keep a plastic bag under the seat for rainy/snowy days. It hasn't failed me wrong yet up here in Michigan. Regardless of the seat i still cover it in a plastic baggie when it's crappy out.
Metricoclock is offline  
Old 03-04-09, 07:00 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Andy_K's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 14,744

Bikes: Yes

Mentioned: 525 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3230 Post(s)
Liked 3,868 Times in 1,439 Posts
Go to a Specialized dealer and sit on their sit bone measuring tool. Specialized makes saddles in several widths, and which one you need depends on how wide your fanny is and what position you ride in.

I've got the 143 mm Avatar, and I love it, but if it doesn't fit, it won't be great for you.

I wouldn't use a leather saddle because of the rain, but that's based on expectation not experience.
Andy_K is offline  
Old 03-04-09, 09:00 PM
  #8  
AEO
Senior Member
 
AEO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: A Coffin Called Earth. or Toronto, ON
Posts: 12,257

Bikes: Bianchi, Miyata, Dahon, Rossin

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
I find the avatar better if you're wearing regular clothing instead of cycling shorts over short distances.
but I've never tried the selle italia C2 so my comparison is between a brooks, specialized alias and stock saddles.


IMO, the alias is all around better than the avatar and as good as the brooks, but without the issues of getting damaged due to water.
__________________
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
AEO is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.