Difference on Specialized saddles?

Burras
Burras Posts: 12
edited June 2013 in Road buying advice
I've tried a friends Romin saddle which I really liked and thought I would give a try as a high mileage saddle. Currently got a Toupe saddle which I really like when changing position a lot, like when doing big climb days and on climb trips to the alps etc, but not as much for long time in more static position riding.
Anyway I really don't get all the differences between the different versions of the Romin just out of the Specialized web.
So could anyone please help me for starters whats the difference between the ordinary Romin and the Romin Evo?
And then, what's the difference between the Comp, Expert and Pro versions?

Comments

  • rhaddo
    rhaddo Posts: 24
    I think the thread below pretty much covers it.
    Evo is narrower in the nose as some people complained that the standard shape caused chafing
    The other variations are down to the level of exotic materials and cost. I think there is a gel version too

    viewtopic.php?f=40042&t=12899238&p=18080681&hilit=Romin+saddle#p18080681
  • Burras
    Burras Posts: 12
    Great link. Thanks! Didn't find that one on my search. But I still don't get the difference between "PU foam" and "EVA padding"?

    I'd like some width in the nose for hanging of it when in aero positions, so maybe the regular Romin would do the trick?
  • Burras
    Burras Posts: 12
    Anyone that can tell me the difference between "PU foam" and "EVA padding"?
    Is one better than the other? Or is there just different name for same stuff?
  • Sprool
    Sprool Posts: 1,022
    its all foam padding, just different chemistry to do the same thing - the stuff they call 'gel' but isnt really as its aerated foam and not a semi-liquid. In EVA and PU foam you can get a range of densities so I dont really think theres any advantage of PU over EVA, or vice versa. You just want enough to 'give' a little and not deform or flatten over its lifetime. It should not affect the cost of the saddle either way. Whatever foam or padding is used would add only 2p to the price at the very most.
  • Burras
    Burras Posts: 12
    I see.
    But since they use different materials one could think they would be more interested in explaining their choice. Personally I think Specialized have a lot to work on in their homepage infowise.
  • Burras
    Burras Posts: 12
    Anyone got something more to say about the EWA - PU padding in the Specialized saddles. Hard to think they use two different materials if both is practically the same.
  • Jon_1976
    Jon_1976 Posts: 690
    As mentioned the Evo has a narrower nose than the older non Evo version.
    Comp: chro-mo rails
    Expert: hollow titanium rails
    Pro: carbon rails.

    I recently swapped from a toupe plus expert to a romin Evo expert. The toupe was too flat for me, as I tend to stay in one spot on the saddle. I did a bit of research and it seems the general consensus is to size up for the romin due to the way it tapers off at the edges. In my experience, I found the opposite and used the same size (143mm) as the toupe. I'm glad I did as its feels 'almost' too wide. Any wider and I'd be getting thigh ache/chafing.
  • Burras
    Burras Posts: 12
    I ended up ordering a Romin Expert 143cm wide. Got the 130 on the Toupe which I sometimes find a little on the narrow side. Hope the 143 on the Romin wont be too wide now hearing that the model could be on the wide side :roll: