Would you change to a Avatar saddle?

Nobody but you can answer this quetion. It's your butt. You're the only one who knows what's comfortable and what's not. Try out the Avatar, and if you like it better than the Milano, go for it.

RSSrsvp said:

I have an 04 Sequoia Elite that came with a Specialized Milano Comfort Max saddle. I was considering a switch to the Specialized Avatar saddle. Am I making the right choice. I picked the Avatar because of the gel and the geometry of this saddle. The Milano just doesn't cut it for me.

I have the 2004 Sequoia comp and I switched to the Avatar. Works well for me as I got the right size, and can handle a firm saddle.

I did exactly that on my bike - going from the Milano to the Avatar - for that same reason. I love the Avatar. It is a big step up from the Milano for me and mine. 😉

RSSrsvp said:

I have an 04 Sequoia Elite that came with a Specialized Milano Comfort Max saddle. I was considering a switch to the Specialized Avatar saddle. Am I making the right choice. I picked the Avatar because of the gel and the geometry of this saddle. The Milano just doesn't cut it for me.

I also have an '04 Sequoia Elite. Great bike. It's even the most expensive bike I own out of 3 road bikes and 2 mountain bikes. Well worth the coinage.

The Milano saddle sucketh eggs though! So yes I would consider an Avatar.

Currently my Sequoia has an '04 Selle Italia TransAm ProLink saddle on it that I got on closeout at Nashbar for about $35. The TA ProLink is one of the 3 most comfortable saddles I've ever ridden, the other two being a Flite Gel and a lowly Onda. I found the older ('02 & '03) Specialized BG saddles to be very painful on the sit bones but the releif groove did do its job well.

rule62 said:

I did exactly that on my bike - going from the Milano to the Avatar - for that same reason. I love the Avatar. It is a big step up from the Milano for me and mine. 😉

If anyone wants to part with their Milano saddle, I may be interested in purchasing it...

rockitj said:

If anyone wants to part with their Milano saddle, I may be interested in purchasing it...

I have one that was a replacement for the original one that came on the bike. It developed a small tear so the LBS replaced it for free under warranty. It's the newer dark gray/black vs. the older dark gray/light gray. It's been ridden some but not much. I was considering ebaying it.

The last time I shipped a saddle via UPS it cost around $8.50ish.

Edit: This auction will close in 12 hours. It's at $15 + $6.75 shipping...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7164668355

waxbytes said:

I have the 2004 Sequoia comp and I switched to the Avatar. Works well for me as I got the right size, and can handle a firm saddle.

How much firmer would you say it is compared to the Milano?

RSSrsvp said:

How much firmer would you say it is compared to the Milano?

Quite a bit firmer, not rock hard but very little sinking into the saddle like the Milano. Good "sit-bone" support for longer distances.

RSSrsvp, I thought you were looking to dump your Sequoia Elite in favor of a more aggressive frame. What gives? 😕

http://www.cyclingforums.com/t250460-graduating-from-a-sequoia-elite-whats-next.html

The Avatar is stadard equipment on the Roubaix Elite and Comp models that you were interested in.

Doctor Morbius said:

I have one that was a replacement for the original one that came on the bike. It developed a small tear so the LBS replaced it for free under warranty. It's the newer dark gray/black vs. the older dark gray/light gray. It's been ridden some but not much. I was considering ebaying it.

How long did you own the bike before the tear happened? I have had mine for 10 months and it is also developing a small tear. I will see if the LBS where I bought it will replace it. Thanks.

rockitj said:

How long did you own the bike before the tear happened? I have had mine for 10 months and it is also developing a small tear. I will see if the LBS where I bought it will replace it. Thanks.

It was within the first year. I took my receipt so they could verify I bought the bike through them.

The Milano is actually comfortable on my sit bones, but it's too wide and rubs my legs even with good cycling shorts.

For what it's worth, my butt loves a particular Avocet saddle. So I have one on each bike and when/if I sell a bike, I'll put another saddle on and keep the Avocet.

I view it kind of like shoes - you find a great one and then it gets discontinued 🙁

I guess what I'm saying is once you find a favorite, get a couple just in case.

Doctor Morbius said:

RSSrsvp, I thought you were looking to dump your Sequoia Elite in favor of a more aggressive frame. What gives? 😕

cyclingforums.comt250460 graduating from a sequoia elite whats next.htmlOpen ↗

The Avatar is stadard equipment on the Roubaix Elite and Comp models that you were interested in.

I tried to convince my wife to replace her old mountain bile with my Sequoia Elite, but she wasn't interested. I will now wait until the sales start later this year and in the interim attempt to sell my Sequoia Elite privately. I figured that a better saddle was a good investment no matter what happens.

Does anyone have a suggestion as to the best way to get top dollar on a used bike like mine with low mileage? I live in NYC.

RSSrsvp said:

I tried to convince my wife to replace her old mountain bile with my Sequoia Elite, but she wasn't interested. I will now wait until the sales start later this year and in the interim attempt to sell my Sequoia Elite privately. I figured that a better saddle was a good investment no matter what happens.

Does anyone have a suggestion as to the best way to get top dollar on a used bike like mine with low mileage? I live in NYC.

Yes a good saddle is definitely a good investment. It can always be put onto a new rig later.

I've seen the '04 Elite models sell for around $800ish on ebay. If I didn't already have one I'd give it consideration if it were the 57c frame. Go onto ebay and do a search for Sequoia and check the box for Completed Listings in the left hand column. That'll at least give you an idea of what to expect this time of year. Thing is the '05 models will start being listed soon, like these ...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=98084&item=7165625069&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=98084&item=7162863824&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Doctor Morbius said:

Yes a good saddle is definitely a good investment. It can always be put onto a new rig later.

I've seen the '04 Elite models sell for around $800ish on ebay. If I didn't already have one I'd give it consideration if it were the 57c frame. Go onto ebay and do a search for Sequoia and check the box for Completed Listings in the left hand column. That'll at least give you an idea of what to expect this time of year. Thing is the '05 models will start being listed soon, like these ...

cgi.ebay.comeBayISAPI.dllOpen ↗
cgi.ebay.comeBayISAPI.dllOpen ↗

If I wanted to limit my ebay auction to just the NYC area is there a geographic auction that I can select? A friend of mine suggested that if someone wants to do a test ride that I should tell them that a cash security deposit for the price of the bike plus their license is required.

Does any manufacturer do trade-ins on bikes? Someone once told me that Litespeed used to do this.