Originally Posted by
robbyville
question for you, have you tried the carbon railed versions? The reason I ask is because I’ve been led to believe that they actually have a different padding and flex pattern than the non. I’ve been told by a few that they are actually more comfortable overall... my weight weenie days are over (ok for the most part I’m still a little wacky with it), but at this point my collection of saddles is growing again!
Robby, I am sorry but I haven't. I have only ridden the Ti hollow rail versions which are mid level. I have ridden Toupes with different levels of padding and I find less padding to be more comfortable.
You can perform a search but I believe the S-works Toupe which is a $300 saddle and why I would never ride it with carbon rails and carbon seat pan, word is its stiff. The thing about saddles tho is...some really like stiff because a spongy saddle can cause perineum irritation due to soft tissue sinking in. Its kind of like Brooks saddles in that they are pretty rock hard and yet one would think they wouldn't be comfortable but they are generally.
To me, carbon is more about weight and more money...but...there maybe a comfort element there as well. But this maybe good or bad and maybe even rider specific.
I believe with saddles is...best strategy is buy used off ebay where a rider rode it once or twice and didn't like it. That way you can flip it without too much money lost if you don't like it. Paying retail for saddles isn't my idea of a good practice. Ebay is the gene pool for saddles in my experience. Just buy right if you can.
Good luck