Originally Posted by
WhyFi
The sweet spot is going to differ based upon your willingness to spend. I think that the Ti rail version is probably the best value, but I do have a carbon rail version, too. Both of the current carbon and Ti models indicate Level 2 padding, so I would expect that they'd be the same (my Toupes are both from different generations - I find my Ti one to feel stiffer, which I actually prefer). Also keep in mind seatpost/clamp compatibility - the carbon rails are ovalized, so they don't work with all posts/clamps.
I took a good look at the specs, such as they are. I don't want any of the Power series, since their paddings are all
#1 . I have a Toupe Expert Gel on my ELOS Mondon, and it's great. It also is my sweet spot, since it has rails better then steel, but not the carbon rails where I figure I don't have the seatposts for it. The even cheaper ones are steel or don't have gel. So for me, the gel and the Level 2 rating is what does it for me. I looked a lot an a modern Alias (or Avatar?) earlier this week and it is Level 3, but I think that will be too soft for me. My earlier Alias were ok, but not for long distances. The Toupe Pro for $75 more has carbon rails and no gel, though it is still a Level 2 saddle.
So unless I hear strong information from the personal experience of the Roadie community here, (such as you really have to wait for the Threepe), I'm ordering the saddle from an LBS when I can get out there.