CrankAndYank

I have one of each on identical bikes. Put more than 500 miles on each. My conclusion: The Expert is more comfy (for me) than the Expert RBX. This reiterates what I concluded long ago: Padding /= Comfort.

Campag4life

I agree. As an experiment I picked up the Toupe Expert Plus. I didn't like the extra padding. I prefer the regular Toupe Expert.

ThinLine

After buying 14 saddles and so much money on them, I have found the two which I like the best: 1) The Fizik Arione w/ Kium rails. 2) Specialized Romin.
I will also include Fizik Antares and the Specialized Toupe.
The absolute worst saddle I have ever road and not cheap is the Bontgrager Inform RXL.

fstshrk

Fizik Aliante works for me. I also like the Bontrager Inform RL. My body is not compatible with Specialized saddles and I tried 3-4 of them.

garciawork

I have a Romin Expert on one bike, and a Phenom SL on my other, honestly don't have a preference between the two... the toupe I do NOT miss.

Turnin2

I have the Toupe Expert and less padding has worked well for me. I want to know what the plastic add-ons are for at the rear of the saddle. They are screwed on and seem to serve no apparent purpose.

WhyFi

You don't tie tassels to yours?

Turnin2

Aaaah. Now I see.
Great.
Now I have to find the right colors to go with my bike.

Campag4life

Good question. Lead designer did too much acid as a youth? Hard to say why those plastic bits exist. A weird interpretation of styling most of us could do without. Buy god I love the Toupe saddle. Best saddle I ever rode. Disappears....and don't think about it. Highest testiment one can give to saddle.
I am hopeful the next gen will get ride of the goofy plastic pieces.

Anybody here take the plastic pieces off?

Nachoman

One of those plastic pieces broke off of my Toupe a few weeks ago.

CrankAndYank

I painted them (and the nose) black.

CrankAndYank

Spec will send you a replacement. I got a couple.

JakiChan

If you're a...ahem...larger rider, the RBX version has a thicker shell. It's going to hold up better. At least that's what my shop told me.

Campag4life

I started a thread a while back comparing the original Toupe to the new Expert. Toupe fanboys know that Specialized has changed the Toupe a fair amount...it is more rounded top to bottom for example...but the shell is a bit more rigid as well. I believe this maybe a result of reported lack of durability of the early version. Btw, my fav saddle is the original Toupe with a bit more flexible shell. Love that saddle and still going strong and I am 190 lbs. I wouldn't want a more rigid shell than on the new Expert if the RBX has a thicker shell as you say. I prefer the flexibility of the regular Expert which I find more rigid than the original Toupe.

tahoeeddie

I have also wondered about the plastic bits at the back. I think they kind of look cool. But I have noticed both on my bike and a friend's who we both have the Toupe Expert, that we have dings around that area. I wonder if they act as bumpers/protection for the leather, as that may be an area that is prone to some kind of contact that could tear the leather?
Just a guess.

jdon

They are supposed to stabilize the saddle so it maintains its relatively flat profile.