Difference between S-Work Saddle and Pro Saddle?
 

Other than the $100, anyone know the difference between the S-Works Toupe vs the Pro Toupe? Both have carbon rails and are the same weight. My LBS, whom I generally trust told me that the S-Works version actually has more or better padding.

I've had the s works and the expert. The main difference with the s works is the shell is carbon, it has different padding, and that smoother material on the nose to help your legs slide easier. Also lighter.
I'm pretty sure the s works has the least padding, I could be wrong though. I know you're talking about the pro, but I really like the suspension feeling and stiffness of the s works.

I told my LBS if they ever cancel my model of saddle to tell me so I can get a spare. I should just pony up and get one now. I really like this saddle.

Speaking of the toupe. Has anyone changed from the Specialized phenom saddle to the toupe? My phenom isn't working so well for me since I lowered the height of my bars and am riding in the drops more. I have read the toupe is better suited for a more aero riding position. Thoughts?

It's possible, but I wouldn't take anyone else's word for it in lieu of trying it out for yourself.

I've got Phenoms on four bikes, two road and two MTB. On the road bike with the lowest stack, I tilted the saddle forward a bit. YMMV.

In what way is it not working well, now?

This is my 2nd bike with a phenom saddle, 3+ years of use without issue. 1st bike was an upright riding hybrid Sirrus. New bike is a Roubaix that I keep lowering the stem height on for more aero position. I have tilted the seat down as needed as my riding position has changed. Now my sit bones are becoming sore after long rides (over 5 hrs). Not the surrounding tissue, but what seems like the actual bones themselves. My sit bones measured right around 130mm, saddle is a 143. Nothing else has changed, same shorts, tire pressure, etc. Adjustments to the saddle do not seem to help.

I wanted to upgrade to a lighter S-works saddle when the time comes. But I won't be dropping $300 just to hope for the best. I hope to borrow or buy a similar seat and see if the shape works.

The toupe caught my interest as it has a similar shape but larger relief channel than the phenom. If it's too similar it may not provide much change to my situation though. The power saddle and romin evo are both noted as good for more aggressive riding positions. I know there are other brands out there but want to work through the specialized stock first.

I have ridden most of the Specialized saddles. I prefer the Toupe overall to the Phenom. Toupe is my go to saddle....have ridden the Romin, Power and a couple others. I prefer 155mm width. I'm a slightly bigger rider.
Always come back to the Toupe. Have a few different models on different bikes. I don't spend the money for the carbon railed version. To me, not worth it.
Its mostly about weight...carbon rail/shell model only saves a few grams. Lot more $$ for few grams saved. Not racing for a living.

Bryan, 1 deg of tilt difference makes a big difference. Too nose down and you will have too much pressure on the sit bones because the tail of the saddle is too kicked up.
Ride the bike with an allen wrench to tweak the position. A little change in tilt and/or fore/aft position makes a BIG difference in comfort.
For me...and probably many others, it is always a balance between too much pressure on the sitbones by kicking up the tail of the saddle versus having the nose of the saddle too high which places too much pressure on the soft tissue of the perineum when in the drops with pelvis tilted forward in particular. Toupe which is flattish works the best for me but a precarious balance to get the tilt perfect.

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

This is where I am stuck. I can't seem to find the right balance so I am basically left with changing saddles. The toupe has a more pronounced relief channel and I am hoping that will help.

But you do make a good point about buying a lightly used saddle on Ebay or Craigslist if you aren'tsure what will work. Some good deals come around if you keep your eye out for them.

Agreed on all points, frankly at this point I'm probably one of the best saddle experts out there, just a stupid one since I should have gone back to the Toupe a long time ago (but instead I wax longingly for it, hopefully I won't be disappointed).

I definitely try to sample saddles used when possible, sadly there have been no Toup's in my size or model available recently. But the Pro is carbon railed and $100 less than the S-Works variety plus I got a 15% discount coupon from Specialized so I may just bite the bullet along with selling some of my gently used ones! If anyone wants a brand new Fabril Line Shallow Pro just let me know :)

nm

Pro and S-Works both have carbon shell. The S-Works has oval-section carbon rails and less compliant padding.

I was speaking of the expert which I had that didn't have the carbon shell.

The Pro also has oval rails.

No it doesn't. I own two of them. The oval rails were not compatible with my seatpost which is why I went with Pro.

My Toupe Pro certainly has oval rials (I had to buy a new clamps for my post) and the web page confirms that -

Mine was the previous gen - maybe yours are from 2+ seasons ago?

Maybe they didn't used to have oval rails, but they do now. Scroll down to the bottom:

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/to...=219752-133422

Just like my Phenom Pro has oval rails.

I am aware of the fact that this thread is quite old, however it seems that there is no conclusion here. I own S-Works Toupe (https://www.flickr.com/photos/45810898@N02/6831774623) and new Specialized Toupe Pro, so they are hard to compare. The old SW has less padding and different shape. Anyway, the only difference between new Specialized Toupe Pro and S-Works Toupe I've found is 4g less for SW, the rest is the same.
https://www.specialized.com/fi/en/to...=228426-155734
https://www.specialized.com/fi/en/s-works-toup/p/131178

I have the sworks power saddle and the model below it (ti rails). They were identical aside from the rails; the sworks has carbon rails that require carbon specific mounts. The seat material (carbon) is the same and the padding level/material are the same.

Mine S-Works Toupe and Specialized Toupe Pro have carbon rails, I've swapped saddlles, no need to change a seatpost mount.