Closest saddle to a Specialised Toupe

First.Aspect

I'm looking for a new saddle. I've been using a Specialised Toupe for years, but their quality has deteriorated and their better models only come with 7 x 9mm rails - I need 7 x 7.

I inherited a Fizik Airone, which I can't get on with - too rounded side to side. And I also have an old Aspide on my mtb, which is okay.

What's the closest facsimile, in terms of saddle shape? (I suppose this can only be answered if you have previously used a Toupe)

Selle San Marco Aspide? Mantra?
Selle Italia SLR? SP-01?
Antares
Others?

No need to tell me "you need to try saddles because everyone is different". This is a question of finding something the same shape as something I already know I like.

ayjaycee

For what it's worth, I have a Toupe on one bike and an Antares (VSX Kium) on the other and I like them both. On rides under 4 hours, I can't really tell the difference. Over 4 hours, the Antares wins out BUT I don't really notice the (minor) discomfort from the Toupe until after I get off the bike. Hope that makes sense.

First.Aspect

ayjaycee wrote:

For what it's worth, I have a Toupe on one bike and an Antares (VSX Kium) on the other and I like them both. On rides under 4 hours, I can't really tell the difference. Over 4 hours, the Antares wins out BUT I don't really notice the (minor) discomfort from the Toupe until after I get off the bike. Hope that makes sense.

Yes, makes perfect sense, thanks. That's one vote for an antares.....

6wheels

I used Toupe's on both my bikes until the base cracked on both of them. Swapped to the Power saddle which is a very similar slotted design and quite flat, also , they're classed as a short saddle if that makes any difference.

Think Chris Froome used one in the Tour when he had saddle sore problems.

keef66

I have a Power and love it. Short, flat and wide, with an effective cutout. Once fitted I never thought about saddle comfort again.

Some people don't get on with them because they don't like the short nose or the 'wings' dig in to the back of the thighs. It's a bit of a Marmite thing.

First.Aspect

Interesting. I personally don't ever sit on the nose of a saddle. Too fetishistic.

If you use a 143mm Toupe, do you go for a 143mm Power saddle? Seems odd, because the Toupe has 130 and 143 widths, but the Power has 143, 155 and lounge chair widths.

pippi_langsamer-2

I used to ride Toupes when they first came out- they also cracked so gave up on them. It seems they’re very, very prone to cracking. I switched to Arione’s but now decided I need to switch to something else.

I’m also in a bit of a quandary re what to replace it with. I want something with a generous cut-out and flat (ish). So far, the PRO Stealth or Falcon (quite similar to Toupe by looks of it), along with Sella Italia SLR Superflow variants. I’m going to be replacing a total of 4 Ariones, so want to get it right! Not going to be cheap neither! I like the 30 day try-out deal with PRO too.

dannbodge

I went from a toupe to a power and found they are nothing alike.
The toupe was massively uncomfortable compared to the power.

stevie63

When my Ti Rail Toupe 130 gave up the ghost, I went for a Romin Evo but in 143. I have done 300k rides without any significant discomfort.

furiousd

I too have Toupe on all my bikes. 143mm, the oldest one is still going strong, the other has stress cracks underneath. The other is the cheap version of it because it is on the turbo/holiday bike. A friend had a Romin Evo 155 for me to try and thats good, he only wants £20 so a no brainer. I used to have a Romin 143 but it was to thin. I like the flat saddle and will keep the Toupe on the race bike but the Romin has been nice on the weekend bike.

SJH76

Not sure how you would feel putting a Bontrager saddle on a Specialized bike but the Montrose is very similar and very comfortable.

keef66

First Aspect wrote:

Interesting. I personally don't ever sit on the nose of a saddle. Too fetishistic.

If you use a 143mm Toupe, do you go for a 143mm Power saddle? Seems odd, because the Toupe has 130 and 143 widths, but the Power has 143, 155 and lounge chair widths.

I did it all the wrong way round. Bought the Power from a fellow forumite who'd been trying saddles the expensive way. Didn't pay attention to the size but it's a 155, and I found it comfortable. Only later did I sit on the bike shop's @rse-ometer and ask the bloke what size Power I'd need. Luckily he said a 155

I could go back and pretend to be interested in a Toupe...