Mountain Biking - Mtb Comfortable saddle

I have tried many saddles on my bike...and still my sit bones ache after a while. I've changed three saddles the past year and got sick of spending money on saddles!!!
I have heard many good critics for the Specialized Toupe, and was just wondering if it will do for a mtb or is it only destined to be used on road bikes?

I have tried many saddles on my bike...and still my sit bones ache after a while. I've changed three saddles the past year and got sick of spending money on saddles!!!
I have heard many good critics for the Specialized Toupe, and was just wondering if it will do for a mtb or is it only destined to be used on road bikes?

I don't have any experience with Specialized saddles but what three saddles did you try?

Also, do you do a lot of mileage? Have you seasoned your buttocks with mileage?

I use and love WTB saddles.

I've used the Selle Italia SLR XC, Selle Italia Signo and Specialized Avatar Gel... The bad thing with saddles is that you can't realize the pain until you use it.
I do approx. 150-200km per week.

I've used the Selle Italia SLR XC, Selle Italia Signo and Specialized Avatar Gel... The bad thing with saddles is that you can't realize the pain until you use it.
I do approx. 150-200km per week.

Fair enough, you do a good amount of mileage.

I am not familiar with any of those saddles. Are they firm or are they fairly padded? The Specialized 'Gel' jumps out at me as a comfort saddle but I could be wrong.

There are many who know and love WTB, have you had a chance to test ride one of their saddles?

Well, the SLR XC is firm and 134mm wide-with flat wings, the Signo is firm and 141mm with tilted wings. The Specialized Avatar was quite comfortable as was fairly padded (gel) but it weighed a ton!!! (380gr).
I forgot to mention that I try to keep my bike as light as possible.
I heard many good critics for the Toupe but only from Road Bike riders and was just wondering if it would do for a mtb...It is a quite firm saddle and only 176gr!!! The roadies sey that it is extremely comfortable...

...which WTB model would you suggest (lighweight)...

I thought gel saddles could sometimes cause some trouble with your male equipment because they don't provide the proper support as the gel compresses. Maybe it's just cheaper gel seats.

The SLR kills me after a while, but an SKN, (still pretty light ) feels great all day. Also have had good luck with the WTB speed V's and race V's. What weight are you looking for?

Well, the SLR XC is firm and 134mm wide-with flat wings, the Signo is firm and 141mm with tilted wings. The Specialized Avatar was quite comfortable as was fairly padded (gel) but it weighed a ton!!! (380gr).
I forgot to mention that I try to keep my bike as light as possible.
I heard many good critics for the Toupe but only from Road Bike riders and was just wondering if it would do for a mtb...It is a quite firm saddle and only 176gr!!! The roadies sey that it is extremely comfortable...

To go back to your original question. Don't get too hung up on what is a road-specific or mountain bike specific saddle especially if you ride XC.

If you think the Toupe will suit your needs, go for it.

I haven't tried any of the WTB road/XC saddles but the Devo model looks like a decent road saddle. They weigh about 190g.
http://www.wtb.com/saddles_devo.html

Although I ride a xc bike, I usually include singletrack with tricky rocky steps and gardens with small drops into my daily training/funride...
Anyway, I also heard that sometimes gel is a myth and it has nothing to do with comfort...just a marketing trick...sometimes firm wide flexy saddles are much better...anyone heard something similar?

Thanks for your input...

My SKN is flexy and works great! My road bike has a carbon saddle with no padding that I ride centuries on with no problems, more comfortable than a lot of padded saddles. I have an SLR knockoff made by Nashbar that is way more comfortable than the real thing. In the end it's what fit's, not weather it's padded. JMO

Is it an SLK or SKN? Because I do not seem to find SKN on Selle Italia's site...

i have wtb rocket v and specialized v groove both very good

How much would a WTB Rocket V weigh?

How much would a WTB Rocket V weigh?

Rocket V (OEM) - 252 grams
Rocket V Laser - 225 grams
Rocket V Stealth - 220 grams
Rocket V Team - 208 grams

Here is a link that is essential for any true weight weenie (http://weightweenies.starbike.com/listings.php).

Thanks lowcel.

Welcome.

Is it an SLK or SKN? Because I do not seem to find SKN on Selle Italia's site...
SKN http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=20016&subcategory_ID=10050

Avatar gel in the largest width works ok for me so far after three hours in the saddle, it was an immediate improvement over the standard Specialized seat that was stock on the bike. The gel doesn't really let you "sit down" at all, it's quite firm. Only time will tell as you know :(