Road Cycling - Specialized Toupe (Butt Report!)

Well, about a week ago I got a new 143mm Toupe saddle from my LBS. I wanted something that was lighter than my Avatar... and something smooth, that wouldn't abraid my cycling shorts. Well, a coule days ago I got to go for a longer ride with the new seat mounted. All I can say is WOW. That thing is so freaking comfortable! I really wasn't expeciting it to feel that good. I guess it just fits better in general than the other saddle did. My rear felt fantastic the whole ride. I can't imagien that a ~150gm saddle could feel so good. I think it has to do with not only the shape of the saddle, but the fact that it flexes a fair bit. I know saddles are a very personal thing, but if you are looking for a nice lightweight saddle... you really should give this guy a try.

I had the exact same experience with this saddle...WOW! I didn't believe the LBS dude, but after three other saddles this year I decided to pay the price and I am now very happy that I did.

Interesting...a minimalist saddle that is comfortable on long rides. What I am hearing then is you feel the non-padded Toupe with tuned flex CF shell is more comfortable then the gel padded Avatar...is this so? Not the first time that a harder saddle has been reported to be more comfortable then a padded saddle....as there is surface hardness and overall flex of a saddle. Succumbing to all the hype, I rode the Alias 143mm this summer...but not very long. As some and not others have reported, to me the Alias was like sitting on a 2 X 4...center cut out worked..no perneal pressure per se...could feel pressure in my sit bones...but pressure was too intense and my sit bones got sore quickly. To me the hallmark of a good saddle is one I can ride 30 miles on in gym shorts without any pain and so I went back to my Brooks as I always do :)
George

Excellent. Was thinking of giving the old hair piece a go when my current saddle wears out. Good to hear it's not a plank for some at least.

I am a visual guy so I thought this thread needed a photo. Better than any world class comb over I have ever seen. :D

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeej440/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/dscn3800.jpg

I am demoing a Toupe right now. The Selle Flite Gel I have just isn't doing the job. I have to agree with the OP, I didn't think that little flimsy piece of carbon was going to be comfy, but it is.

Interesting...a minimalist saddle that is comfortable on long rides. What I am hearing then is you feel the non-padded Toupe with tuned flex CF shell is more comfortable then the gel padded Avatar...is this so? Not the first time that a harder saddle has been reported to be more comfortable then a padded saddle....as there is surface hardness and overall flex of a saddle. Succumbing to all the hype, I rode the Alias 143mm this summer...but not very long. As some and not others have reported, to me the Alias was like sitting on a 2 X 4...center cut out worked..no perneal pressure per se...could feel pressure in my sit bones...but pressure was too intense and my sit bones got sore quickly. To me the hallmark of a good saddle is one I can ride 30 miles on in gym shorts without any pain and so I went back to my Brooks as I always do :)
George


Hi George, I've had an Alias 143 for a couple of months, interesting to hear your experiences of it before you gave up on it. I'm undecided yet as to whether I'll end up going the the same way. I know what you mean about the pressure on sit-bones! Not sure if my butt is getting used to it, it seems to be, but I haven't done any ride longer than 65 miles on it yet and I need it to hold up for 100 or more ... saddle pain rather than anything else is what's been keeping me from aiming for longer rides in the past. My comfort on the Alias seems very sensitive to saddle tilt - much more so than any other saddle I've had. I run it now so the front two-thirds of the saddle are about level, and it slopes up a little towards the rear. This is with a 3-inch saddle to bar drop. This feels fine on the hoods and tops, but I can still feel perineal pressure on the drops. (At the opposite end, I also get some numbness on long climbs.) So though it's better than my previous saddle, it's not the panacea I first thought.




Well, about a week ago I got a new 143mm Toupe saddle from my LBS. I wanted something that was lighter than my Avatar... and something smooth, that wouldn't abraid my cycling shorts. Well, a coule days ago I got to go for a longer ride with the new seat mounted. All I can say is WOW. That thing is so freaking comfortable! I really wasn't expeciting it to feel that good. I guess it just fits better in general than the other saddle did. My rear felt fantastic the whole ride. I can't imagien that a ~150gm saddle could feel so good. I think it has to do with not only the shape of the saddle, but the fact that it flexes a fair bit. I know saddles are a very personal thing, but if you are looking for a nice lightweight saddle... you really should give this guy a try.

How did the toupe compare with the Avatar, apart from weight? Did you find the Avatar uncomfortable, or was it just too heavy/abrading?

Hi George, I've had an Alias 143 for a couple of months, interesting to hear your experiences of it before you gave up on it. I'm undecided yet as to whether I'll end up going the the same way. I know what you mean about the pressure on sit-bones! Not sure if my butt is getting used to it, it seems to be, but I haven't done any ride longer than 65 miles on it yet and I need it to hold up for 100 or more ... saddle pain rather than anything else is what's been keeping me from aiming for longer rides in the past. My comfort on the Alias seems very sensitive to saddle tilt - much more so than any other saddle I've had. I run it now so the front two-thirds of the saddle are about level, and it slopes up a little towards the rear. This is with a 3-inch saddle to bar drop. This feels fine on the hoods and tops, but I can still feel perineal pressure on the drops. (At the opposite end, I also get some numbness on long climbs.) So though it's better than my previous saddle, it's not the panacea I first thought.





How did the toupe compare with the Avatar, apart from weight? Did you find the Avatar uncomfortable, or was it just too heavy/abrading?

I found it slightly uncomfortable on really long rides. Plus, I always felt like I was kinda "falling forward" on the Avatar... it's hard to explain. I played the the angle and position a LOT... plus the stitching was abrading my shorts a decent bit. I do a lot of century rides, and that long on that saddle can really screw up a pair of shorts fast if something is rubbing them. But, the Avatar was still more comfortable that a lot of other saddles I've ridden.

I always felt like I was kinda "falling forward" on the Avatar...
This is not an uncommon feeling on the Avatar, and I think the TOupe is falling right in line with it. On my Avatar and now on the TOupe I have it nose up just a bit to eliminate this feeling...I still have no numbness issues. The GM of my LBS also rides the Avatar on one of his bikes and says he feels the same thing and used the same nose up solution to good affect.

The Toupe' is by far the only seat I have ever fell in love with, usually there is an adjustment period and a sore butt when changing saddles, this one was perfect from day one.

The Toupe takes a few hundred kms to get your ass used to it, but it is all an day saddle after that, amazing for 150g.

I see most (if not all) of you guys are riding the 143mm version. How did you decide this was the size for you? I'm looking to get one, but might have to order online. Any suggestions on how to pick between the 143mm and the 130mm? I'm not a 'big' guy

You need to get measured at the specialized dealer. they use a buttometer. I'm not kidding.

DocRay~ Where did you get yours? I live in T.O, and I'm looking to pick one up. Would most Specialized dealers have the 'buttometer'?

DocRay~ Where did you get yours? I live in T.O, and I'm looking to pick one up. Would most Specialized dealers have the 'buttometer'?

I think so - it's just a piece of memory foam you sit on for a while until your ass bones make an indentation in it... then they use a ruler to measure the distance.

How much did you guys pay for the Toupe?

DocRay~ Where did you get yours? I live in T.O, and I'm looking to pick one up. Would most Specialized dealers have the 'buttometer'?

I had mine ordered in by Pierick's in Hamilton. All dealers should have the buttometer.

try Duke's or D'Ornelles. maybe Pedlar.

Has any one got any comparisons to the Fizik Arione?

I've been riding an Arione for the past 6 months and am pretty happy with it...but there's definitely some pressure of the sensitive parts, though this doesn't cause me any undue comfort on my typical 40-50 mile weekenders.

However, I'm thinking that maybe I need to be taking a little more care of my nether regions for the sake of my future kids!!! Not looking to ditch the Arione, but might be interested when it eventually wears out.

I think I need to try this out.....I am eyeing a Brooks B17 (for long days in the saddle), but if I can save nearly 400 grams and still have a comfy butt, it could be a winner. I'll have to go visit the shop my buddy works at this week....

This is not an uncommon feeling on the Avatar, and I think the TOupe is falling right in line with it. On my Avatar and now on the TOupe I have it nose up just a bit to eliminate this feeling...I still have no numbness issues. The GM of my LBS also rides the Avatar on one of his bikes and says he feels the same thing and used the same nose up solution to good affect.

I feel like I'm falling forwards slightly on the Alias too, but I have to keep the nose slightly down (relative to the very rear of the saddle) or I get numbness, despite the claimed improvement in blood-flow. I'm wondering if the Toupe would be any different.

I feel like I'm falling forwards slightly on the Alias too, but I have to keep the nose slightly down (relative to the very rear of the saddle) or I get numbness, despite the claimed improvement in blood-flow. I'm wondering if the Toupe would be any different.
Wow I never thought the comb over would have sparked such a good thread. Bryan - honestly no I don't think the Toupe would be much different than the Alias for you.


Does anyone have an opinion about the durability of the Toupee' for a heavier (200 plus) rider?
Well I am currently floating around 220 ( :mad: ) and I haven't had an issue but honestly I haven't had it long. I have no worries though and Specialized has a good CS department, I have faith that if this broke under normal use they would replace it.


I see most (if not all) of you guys are riding the 143mm version. How did you decide this was the size for you? I'm looking to get one, but might have to order online. Any suggestions on how to pick between the 143mm and the 130mm? I'm not a 'big' guy
Oh bravely bold Sir Robbin if you are not affraid to die in nasty ways, why are you affraid of the Toupe. Ok sorry. As DocRay said buttometer is the way to go...I had mine done and it kicked out 143 which I had on my Avatar last year and fit great. When I got the new bike I went with the 143 Toupe.
When danger reared its ugly head,
He bravely turned his tail and fled
Yes, Brave Sir Robin turned about
And gallantly he chickened out


And some asked about cost...I paid $58 but I also traded in the unsued Avatar that came on the bike.

I paid $135 for mine...

You really should get measured to see which one you need. I was a 143 on my Avatar, so I just got a 143 Toupe. Honestly though, I've never seen anyone ride the 130. I think you'd have to be really narrow in the hips for that one to fit. Sounds like it would be an @ss hatchet ;) being that narrow.

Chopper, thanks for throwing the pic in there :) I'll take one of it on my bike as soon as I get a little free time.

Ditto, great saddle. Replaced my Aliante and haven't looked back. Guys at one of the shops I frequent said that they've all but given up on Fizik, especially the Arione. It's shaped with a rise in the middle, right where the blood flows.

I feel like I'm falling forwards slightly on the Alias too, but I have to keep the nose slightly down (relative to the very rear of the saddle) or I get numbness, despite the claimed improvement in blood-flow. I'm wondering if the Toupe would be any different.

That problem relates more to the relative height of your saddle and bars than to the type of saddle your are using.

Try an experiment. Drop your saddle half an inch. Raise your bars one inch. Get the wide portion of the saddle where your sitbones are positioned "dead" level from front to back. My bet: Your "numbness" problem will be history.

Of course, it also helps to get your weight off your rear at every opportunity. I get up an inch off the saddle when ever I'm not pedalling, whether going over rough pavement or braking. And, I try to pedal a hundred yards or so out of the saddle every mile or so. Getting the weight off the saddle from time to time helps keep your legs fresh, and gets the blood circulating.

One more thumbs-up for the Toupe. I rode an Alias 143 for a long time, but found it was too soft, and the embroidery ovals on the sides of the wide part of the saddle wore holes in my shorts. The toupe is harder, but more comfortable, and it does not cause any more numbness than the Alias. Great saddle.

One more thumbs-up for the Toupe. I rode an Alias 143 for a long time, but found it was too soft, and the embroidery ovals on the sides of the wide part of the saddle wore holes in my shorts. The toupe is harder, but more comfortable, and it does not cause any more numbness than the Alias. Great saddle.

I looked at an Alias at the store today, and it looked perfect, for my taste. Wide, flat seating platform. Firm padding. Flexible shell. Good contouring. Then, YIKES: the price tag....waay out of my league.

So, those of you who HATE your Alias (143)...I'd be interested (at a low, low, bargain price).

+1. I came from an Alias/Avatar gel and never would've thought the toupe would be more comfortable. For those who think it is similar to the SLK or SLR, it's way more "giving" and much more comfortable. I did not need any adjustment period as well.

My girlfriend bought me the 143 Toupe for my birthday yesterday. I will give a ride report when I go riding :)