Comfy Saddles (Toupe?)

bobgfish

Hello

Need a new comfy saddle. Any good recommendations. Been using a Specialized Avatar gel saddle which gives me saddle sores. Swapped recently to a much older body geometry saddle from the MTB and find it to hard. I see lots of people like the Toupe saddle. Is there much difference between that and the Team edition apart from the rails? Also what are those funny plastic bits hanging off the back?

Thanks

JohnnyAllez

I`ve got Toupe Gel saddles on 3 bikes, suits me. Decent quality shorts / bibs are a must IMO, also use chamois cream for any rides over about 5 miles (ie anything other than a ride to the shops)

The placcy bits on the rear of the sadlle are just rubbing strips, same as the saddle nose.

tonye_n

If you find that the Avatar gives you saddle sores, the Toupe is hardly going to be any better.
The Toupe saddle is basicaly some gel film on a hard slab of carbon layer. It is more known for the relief the 'cutout' affords to the 'man-bits' than prevention of saddle sores.
Like JonnyA says....good quality padded bibs/shorts are essential.
I would seriously review your saddle fore/aft positioning as well.
I use the Toupe, but it is better for long journeys i.e. 10miles+ than short commutes.

Nuggs

I know this adds nothing to the discussion, but I'm just about to order a Spesh Romin having checked out quite a number of online reviews.

what brakes

Ive tried well padded saddles and they give worse sore than razorblade saddles like the Arione cx etc. I have now changed to the romin which is very similar to the toupe and find it much better for sore but is alot harder! I do have to get out the saddle to relieve the harshness but i havent got any saddle sores as yet! i have done a few 9 mile commutes and plus a few loner rides ie, 26miles, 36 miles, 57mile and a 69miler, all without saddle rub/sore. so for me its proving to be pretty good.

marlin151

My Spec Roubaix pro came with a Toupe as standard. I found it hard and uncomfortable and now use a Prologo scratch. 100m+ rides no problems with assos bibs and cream.

Also tried a fizik aliante on a test bike and found that comfy too. Some LBS's have fizik test models so you can try before you buy.

Also consider a professional bike fit as the relationship between saddle position / seatpost height and bar reach / drop can also effect saddle comfort due to the weight distribution between contact points.

marlin151

My Spec Roubaix pro came with a Toupe as standard. I found it hard and uncomfortable and now use a Prologo scratch. 100m+ rides no problems with assos bibs and cream.

Also tried a fizik aliante on a test bike and found that comfy too. Some LBS's have fizik test models so you can try before you buy.

Also consider a professional bike fit as the relationship between saddle position / seatpost height and bar reach / drop can also effect saddle comfort due to the weight distribution between contact points.

bobbymeister

I used the Toupe extensively for a couple of years, but have since moved on to the - supposedly MTB specific - Phenom, which has a little more padding.
Personally, I find the Phenom far more comfortable on longer rides and would recommend taking a look.

meanredspider

I love my Toupe - I don't notice it's there - the Nirvana of saddles. I love the way the wings flex

MrChuck

Really happy with my Toupe, much comfier than it looks!

Bozman

I found the Toupe the most uncomfortable saddle i'd ever had, i gave it a couple of months but i couldn't break it in.
It's all down to the shape of your ass, i use selle italia slr carbonio flow and find them so comfy but there's nothing to them.

Down the Road

you obviously don't get on with Spesh Saddles. Why try another. Find a LBS that runs test saddles from a few brands and try them.

Each backside is different. My personal preference is a San Marco Regal

stevie63

Hi I used to have an Avatar Gel saddle and found that was uncomfortable, swapped to a toupe and have found that to be much better. I went for the version without gel. I think the problem with the Avatar is it actually has too much padding. The other advantage is the toupe is about half the weight.

northpole

I had a toupe for over three years and found it to be nothing on long rides. By that I mean I just did not notice it. Horrible saddle to pop down to the shops on if wearing anything other than padded shorts but with the right bibs and assos cream it was a fab saddle.

I say was because one of the flexible 'wings' snapped - possibly in transit. Replaced with a fizik alliante which is fine but I would be very tempted to try out the romin next or just return to another toupe. Be aware that the toupe comes in different sizes so you need to find a dealer who has the measurement thingy before buying!

Peter

Cubic

Try as many out as you can. Selle Italia do a 30day trial on their saddles. I tried a couple and got my money back before settling on an Aliante.

I skimmed an article in Cycling Weekly about another saddle manufacturer offering trial versions of their saddles (Prologo I think, but could well be mistaken).

seanoconn

+1 for the specialized romin, similar to the toupe but supports your weight more evenly without any pressure points.

Monkeypump

My road bike OE saddle is fine so I haven't changed it.

However, MTB has a Charge Spoon, which I love and generally gets lots +ve reviews. Have started seeing them on a few road bikes too. They're also cheap enough to be worth trying even if you turn out not to like it.

I thnk Charge do a road-specific saddle (Knife?) but I've not tried it.

Monkeypump

My road bike OE saddle is fine so I haven't changed it.

However, MTB has a Charge Spoon, which I love and generally gets lots +ve reviews. Have started seeing them on a few road bikes too. They're also cheap enough to be worth trying even if you turn out not to like it.

I thnk Charge do a road-specific saddle (Knife?) but I've not tried it.

bobgfish

Thanks for all the comments

I've had the bike fit some time ago. This helped a lot. Saddle sores went away for 4-5 weeks and then come back as the distance increased. I do use Assos chamois cream and again this helps but does not cure. I do however object to paying huge money for a pair of assos shorts regardless of their reputation. I use 3-4 different brands of shorts and it doesn't seem to help. I swapped to a much older harder BG saddle (from my MTB) from 5 years ago that I never had problems with after the the 4-5 weeks to try something else. This seems a bit better but not perfect.

The Romin and Toupe are the two saddles I'm thinking of swapping too. I've read more positive reviews on the Toupe than the Romin. Ideally I'll fit them to all my bikes including the MTB's

It's funny how I've never had issue in 25 years of off cycling. The difference is I'm now trying to long distances and do ride twice a day.

Any further ideas greatfully recieved

Thanks

seanoconn

As i'm sure you know, saddles are very individual and any advice on this thread might not solve your problem. But in regards to the toupe and romin, i've got them both, both good saddles. The reason thier isn't as many good reviews for the romin is that its fairly new, where as the toupe has been around for a couple years. A few reviewers have said the toupe is a little hard on your sit bones. I've yet to read a bad review for the romin.

Nuggs

seanoconn wrote:

I've yet to read a bad review for the romin.

+1

airwise

I used Toupes for a number of years and found them very comfortable but very fragile. They sag and need replacing.

I recently moved to the Romin. For me it's perfect. A real step up from the Toupe.