Toupe - To gel or not to gel that is the question

Coach H

Having found, through using test saddles, the Specialized Toupe as my preferred saddle the question is now do I get a gel or normal version.

The test saddle I have been using is the non-gel version, but I am wondering if it is worth spending the extra tenner. What are the pros and cons?

All opinions are welcome

over-the-hill

I was told by an assistant in Cycle Surgery that the gel has a tendency to displace so you end up with not so much gel at the main weight points.

giant_man

over-the-hill wrote:

I was told by an assistant in Cycle Surgery that the gel has a tendency to displace so you end up with not so much gel at the main weight points.

Yes like most gel saddles out there, they either displace or harden after time.

APIII

Not noticed any gel displacement with mine. I've put a non gel version on my new bike, but not ridden it yet (You can still get the team version from Rutland Cycling for £34.99, which is the non-gel saddle plus some bar tape). It is lighter than the gel version if that makes any difference to you.

Pirahna

I've got a few thousand miles on both versions and had no issues with the gel. The non gel saddle seems to have more of a dip in the middle, so the gel version has a slightly flatter shape. In a blindfold test doubt I'd be able to tell the difference between them.

Doom

APIII wrote:

Not noticed any gel displacement with mine. I've put a non gel version on my new bike, but not ridden it yet (You can still get the team version from Rutland Cycling for £34.99, which is the non-gel saddle plus some bar tape). It is lighter than the gel version if that makes any difference to you.

Do you have a link as I dont seem to be able to find it on their site?

APIII

Sorry, just checked and can't see it anymore. Sure they still had them last week.
I got one from Hargrove Cycles who still have a tenner off.
http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/produc ... ts_id=7104

Monty Dog

Shape is what makes saddles comfortable, no soft, squidgy bits. In fact, too much gel has been shown to cause perineal inflammation as your firm bony bits sink into the gel and therefore the gel can press into the soft tissue, worsening the inflammation. I tried a gel saddle once, but didn't get on with it at all - I'd much rather ride a firmer saddle with the pressure distributed over a larger area. If you want more padding, get better quality shorts.

meesterbond

I've been using a Fizik Arione for ages and whilst it was really comfortable my 'bits' went numb after 30 mins or so... switched to a Toupe (non-gel) a couple of weeks ago and whilst it feels nowhere near as comfortable to sit on initally, there's no numbness and after a few rides I'm totally sold on it. Weighs next to nothing too.

Make sure you get the right size though. For me the 143 is perfect, the 130 felt like I was sitting on a razorblade.

Johnny G

More or less the same for me, Meesterbond. I started off with an Arione, couldn't get on with it and swapped it for a 143mm non-gel Toupe. I've ridden on this ever since and find it extremely comfortable. I wouldn't bother with the gel version but that's just me.

Wouldn't it be boring if everyone's arse was the same?

musto_skiff

I have a 143 gel and find it fine but still getting used to being back in the saddle again.

The gel padding is pretty thin so it's not going to make that much difference; I went for the gel as I thought it would give a little bit more comfort which is what the geeks in the design dept. of Spec. obviously thought...

Hard to really know without testing lots which is an expensive exercise.

Coach H

Thanks for the response.

I am now the proud owner of a non gel Toupe