socalrider

I have been riding Brooks B17 and Professional for at least 5 years.. Very happy with the brooks but every once in a while a new saddle entices me.. The wider 155mm Specialized Toupes seem to get great reviews and I am interested if anyone has used them that is in the clyde category and what are there impressions?

Richard_Rides

That is a nice looking saddle:

fghhunter

One came with my Roubaix so I tried it for 4-5 weeks and my rear kept getting sorer every ride, went back to my Brooks Pro, immediate relief and no more sore rear end.

v1k1ng1001

1. Don't get the 155 unless your sit bones actually need it. Most folks, even clydes, don't need a saddle that wide on their road bike. I'm 6'3" 225 and my 143 is even a little wide.

2. My guess is that you'll hate the toupe after a cushy Brooks. It's designed to alleviate numbness, which it does very well, but after that it is not designed to be the most comfy saddle. The plastic frame is not very compliant which comes into play on longer rides ( > 50 mi.) Basically you need to toughen up your sit bones for a few weeks.

If you want efficiency and performance, buy a correctly sized toupe and it will be a good saddle. If you want comfort, stick with what you got.

Bigboxeraf

Ok now i'm just curious. Are brooks saddles worth the money do they make that much of a difference. I'm a low milage rider 100 to 120 miles a week on my road bike. I ride on a Neuvation S2 saddle . The neuvation is a replacement for my botrager select stock saddle. I like the difference leather makes alot more flexible and breathable; but all I read about is Brooks saddles. I want to increase my mileage and I'm shooting for a century next spring. Should I invest in a Brooks? How long do they take to break in?

Richard_Rides

My Brooks felt great right out of the box and after 300 miles or so it started conforming to my shape and felt even better. The smooth surface is great, you don't pinch or fold the fabric of your shorts.

Creakyknees

I've been on a B17 for years, even racing cat 4 races on it. My one beef with it is that the shape rubs my inner thigh and sometimes helps cause cramps there (my unscientific opinion)

I've considered chopping it, but haven't had the guts to mangle it.

For shorter rides, under 50 miles, and most racing nowadays, I used the Performance E3, which is not at all as comfy for just cruising around, but works great for racing and hammerfests. The shape has that thigh-rubbing section totally cut away.

Nycycle

THANKS for the post, when my saddle wears out I will look into one.

Bigboxeraf

I'm looking at the Team Professional

Fastflyingasian

i had a toupe and after 20 miles you couldn't pay me to sit on it while riding the remaining 20 miles home. for me that just hurt. i was comfortable for 10 miles and at about 20 my sit bones were screaming bloody murder. that's just me though.

jimblairo

I weigh 230 lbs and bent the ti rails on my Specialized Toupe saddle after 2 weeks. I use Specialized Avatar 155 on all 3 of my road bikes and a Brooks B-17 on my tourer.

jimblairo

My one beef with it is that the shape rubs my inner thigh and sometimes helps cause cramps there (my unscientific opinion) I've considered chopping it, but haven't had the guts to mangle it.

Drill a coupler of small holes on each side and use a shoe lace to pull the sides in. Works great.

professorbob

Just got a B-17. Even not broken in, it's the most comfortable saddle I've ever ridden. After many miles, you'll ride better if you're comfortable than if you're sore.

Snapperhead

One came on my 08 Taramc and after riding it for serveral weeks with little relief, I "downgraded" to a Specialized Avatar. I may put it back on this weekend for a 30 mile ride too see how it feels.

bongo_x

I don't understand this. Every time the subject of Brooks saddles comes up people will always comment on how expensive they are and ask if they are worth it, or claim they are not. I just looked it up and they are selling for $70-80. I think I paid less than that ($65?) last year. The Specialized in question is going for $150.

You can get saddles for $40, but how many of them are you gonna buy before you figure out that they are not very good? I know the Brooks are not the cheapest, but they aren't that expensive either.

bb

Griffish

I love my B-17 so much that I use it on my Calfee Tetra Pro carbon fiber bike. The "excess" weight is definitely worth the excess comfort. The only complaint I have about this saddle though, and I am sure you will hear many say the same thing is...it has very short rails. This can make it tough to achieve the KOPS (Knee Over Pedal Spindle position). Just look at photos of people's bikes with this seat. Every one of them has the saddle pushed all the way back on the seatpost, and these are always very setback seatposts. My setup is no different, but if you can get it to work, you will never use another saddle. It will take some miles to break it in (it will actually conform to your sit bones), but honestly, it felt great to me right out of the box. I will always use this saddle...

jbpence

i have a brooks b17 on my tour bike. love it.
I have a toupe 143 and a 143 toupe gel on my two road bikes, love them too.