Avocet, a Northern California company has been involved in the saddle market for many years through the importation of Italian made saddles. They were the first to introduce to the U.S. an anatomically designed saddle characterized by the two bumps on top, well over a decade ago. Later they brought forth a nylon shell that was flexible, not rigid as had been the custom at the time so the seat could "flex" giving added comfort. Now, we have the GelFlex. The GelFlex is made in Italy using a molded nylon base that has depressions molded into it, to accept additional padding. On the shell is a molded, high density foam padding onto which the Spenco Gel package placed. The saddle is covered in a Black Lycra that is glued at the sides and around the underneath of the lip at the bottom. In the tail area, at the bottom, the Lycra is also stapled for added hold. The rails are made of spring steel with the return curve at the rear, (in fact the rear rail receiver looks remarkably like the Vetta VSA-relationship?). Where the rails end at the front varies depending on the saddle style. The Avocet series 20 saddles come in four styles, Mens (touring), Womens (touring), Racing, and Comfort (which is like an ATB type, but a little wider than usual). A top down, silhouette image is provided above to show each of their relative sizes. These shots were done at exactly the same distance so they show each of their shapes and sizes relative to each other. The exact weights and dimensions are provided in the saddle table. The series 20 saddles come with a Black Lycra surface. $ Price in Catalog

The Avocet GelFlex 30 Mountain saddles use construction that is very similar the 20 series. The primary difference is the molded shape of the saddle shell and bumper fittings. The shell has recesses molded into it at the nose and on each of the sides. The outer-most sides and the nose of a saddle are known to be high wear areas from mere use, and falling on the bike, (you've seen torn up seat sides from falls before). After the Lycra is stretched over the saddle, molded plastic bumpers slip over the lip and are screwed in place. There is also a bumper screwed onto the front of the nose to protect the front of the saddle. The rail system is the same design on this saddle as it is with the series 20. The Avocet series 30 saddles come in four styles, Mens (touring), Womens (touring), Racing, and Comfort (which is like an ATB type but a little wider than usual). A top down, silhouette image is provided above to show each of their relative sizes. These shots were done at exactly the same distance so they show each of their shapes and sizes relative to each other. The exact weights and dimensions are provided in the saddle table. The series 30 saddles come with a Black Lycra surface with Black bumpers. $ Price in Catalog

Avocet hasn't overlooked the Titanium railed saddle market. The Air 40 series saddles are more conventional in nature, and are still made in Italy. The 40 series has a molded nylon shell, with a high density molded foam rubber padding. The padding covers the entire top and most of the sides of the shell. The padding is molded with a center recess. This conically profiled recess is in the center of the saddle at the rear third of it's length. The center recess creates the two anatomic "bumps" that characterize the Avocet saddles. The padding is covered in a smooth Black leather which is cemented down on the top, sides and underneath the shell's lip at the bottom. The rear rail receivers are distinctively molded as a part of the rear lip of the saddle shell, raising them off and away from the shell itself. The "stand-off" of the plastic receivers permits added spring in the rail assembly, and comfort to the rider. As with the Ritchey Logic saddles, Avocet uses a rail return curve that is placed well, well back of the saddle nose, in this case 3 1/2" behind. Avocet uses the trade marked name ShortRail to describe this in print. The rail return curve is housed in a rail bridge, molded as part of the shell, which joins the sides and shell top rigidly together. Ahead of the return bridge, are reinforcement ribs molded as a part of the shell, to add support to the extended front nose. The rail assembly is made of a single piece 7mm diameter Titanium 6Al-4V rod. The Avocet series 40 saddles come in three styles, Mens (touring), Womens (touring), and Racing, (which in the 40 and 50 is shaped differently). Use the top down silhouette images to see each shape and their relative sizes. The exact weights and dimensions are provided in the saddle table, however the racing model weighed in at 204 1/2 grams. $ Price in Catalog

Not to be confused with Aerogel, Avocet provides a Gel variation on their series 40 saddles, for those who want their Titanium under a Gel type saddle. The model 50 uses exactly the same shell, padding, and has the same Titanium rail assembly. It's difference comes in two forms. Over the foam padding there is a package of Gel material, which adds thickness and cushion to the saddle. The package extends 1" from the rear up to 1 3/4" from the tip of the nose. It lies on top and drapes slightly, just slightly, down the sides. Because of the Gel's required "give", Black Lycra stretch fabric, rather than leather, is the outer covering of the 50 series saddles The Avocet 50 saddles come in three styles, Mens (touring), Womens (touring), and Racing. Use the silhouette images to judge each shape and their relative sizes. The exact weights and dimensions are provided in the saddle table, however the racing model weighed 295 grams. $ Price in Catalog