Alias vs. Toupe
#1
.....
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Long Island
Posts: 4,816
Bikes: 2006 Cannondale CAAD8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Alias vs. Toupe
Anyone ridden both an Alias and a Toupe?
I just picked up an alias for cheap and am wondering how it compares to a toupe as far as comfort. It feels nice and flat but I want something with more pressure on the sit bones. Is the comfort between the two the same or is it different?
I just picked up an alias for cheap and am wondering how it compares to a toupe as far as comfort. It feels nice and flat but I want something with more pressure on the sit bones. Is the comfort between the two the same or is it different?
#2
It's ALL base...
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 6,716
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Different.
I thought the Toupe was MORE comfortable on longer rides than the Alias. Perhaps something to do with the Toupe having less padding to sink into and cause pressure than the Alias.
And, it's lighter.
That being said, I'm still on the hunt for an even more comfy saddle for long rides.
I thought the Toupe was MORE comfortable on longer rides than the Alias. Perhaps something to do with the Toupe having less padding to sink into and cause pressure than the Alias.
And, it's lighter.
That being said, I'm still on the hunt for an even more comfy saddle for long rides.
#3
grilled cheesus
yes. the only reason i dumped the alias was due to the raised stitching on top of it. it was prematurely wearing out my shorts. this was two years ago and i am not sure if they have changed the stitching on it or not. i found both extremely comfortable, especially on longer rides. later.
__________________
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: East coast
Posts: 2,671
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac Expert, Cannondale R700, Specialized Langster, Iron Horse Hollowpoint Team, Schwinn Homegrown
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have both and prefer my Toupe. Lighter and more comfortable.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 16,878
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1858 Post(s)
Liked 664 Times
in
506 Posts
I like them both. The Toupe is more effective at preventing numbness, but the Alias is a bit more comfortable on the sit bones. Neither one really facilitates position changes. I've done 40 mile rides (i know, htfu!) on both, and at the end the Toupe is better.
Get the right width for you. There is such a thing as going too narrow (owww!).
Get the right width for you. There is such a thing as going too narrow (owww!).
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Grass Valley, CA
Posts: 2,544
Bikes: Time RXRS, Specialized Stumpjumper FSR
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have used both. As mentioned above the stitching on the original Alias was not good for shorts. The new design is fine on that area. I found the Alias to be good but too hard on long rides, my seatbones were really hurting. I was using a 143.
The Toupe is more flexible so it's more comfortable. This flexibility may require you to use a wider size. I was hurting on the 143, the 155 is perfect and the best saddle I have used so far. I had a tendency to develop prostatitis on long rides, not with the Toupe. I am 52 so I guess the central cutout is efficient to protect my tender parts. I have several centuries, including the Death Ride, under my belt with the Toupe and I am happy to report that saddle issues are things of the past for me. At least for the time being...
The Toupe is more flexible so it's more comfortable. This flexibility may require you to use a wider size. I was hurting on the 143, the 155 is perfect and the best saddle I have used so far. I had a tendency to develop prostatitis on long rides, not with the Toupe. I am 52 so I guess the central cutout is efficient to protect my tender parts. I have several centuries, including the Death Ride, under my belt with the Toupe and I am happy to report that saddle issues are things of the past for me. At least for the time being...
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Berkeley
Posts: 2,265
Bikes: 2010 Tarmac SL, 2013 Fairdale Weekender, 2013 Fairdale Coaster, 1995 Specialized M2 Pro, 1972 Schwinn Heavy Duty, 2014 Surley Long Haul Trucker
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I've used them both. I'll add nothing that hasn't already been said.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: A Coffin Called Earth. or Toronto, ON
Posts: 12,257
Bikes: Bianchi, Miyata, Dahon, Rossin
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
the alias is better for me I find. It has a better hammock effect than the toupe.
the newer alias doesn't have the problem with the stitching like the old one had.
the newer alias doesn't have the problem with the stitching like the old one had.
__________________
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
#10
It's ALL base...
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 6,716
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Sounds like the Alias will give you a good idea about the saddle, and some approximation of what the Toupe will be like if you go that way.
#11
well hello there
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Point Loma, CA
Posts: 15,430
Bikes: Bill Holland (Road-Ti), Fuji Roubaix Pro (back-up), Bike Friday (folder), Co-Motion (tandem) & Trek 750 (hybrid)
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 503 Post(s)
Liked 336 Times
in
206 Posts
Jynx, I have three Alias saddles and love them. But this Monday I'm thinking about buying a Toupe because maybe it's more comfortable. Here's what I found on the subject.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ighlight=toupe
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ighlight=toupe
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ighlight=toupe
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ighlight=toupe
__________________
.
.
Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
.
.
Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Johnson City, TN
Posts: 217
Bikes: Bianchi via Nirone 7 / Trek Marlin 5 29er
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Either is a good saddle. Just make sure it's the proper width for you.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Near Sacramento
Posts: 4,886
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'd like to get another of the newer Alias's without that stitching problem.
__________________
-------
Some sort of pithy irrelevant one-liner should go here.
-------
Some sort of pithy irrelevant one-liner should go here.