bssjackson

Anyone have trouble with numbness on the specialized toupe saddles? If so what would did you switch to? Thanks

AEO

nope. did you get measured out properly by the LBS?

bssjackson

Yes. The bike fits well it's just that on my last 3+ hour ride it made me numb for a day.

transplant

there's no perfect saddle for everyone. might just not work for you. also possibly sitting too far forward/back on the saddle.

briscoelab

He means, did you get measured properly for the Toupe at your LBS? They have this thing called an *****-O-Meter that measures your sit bone width.... so you get the right size Toupe.

I've been riding Toupes for a couple years now with little problem (even on my mountain bikes)... until this past fall when I bruised my right inner thigh and sit bone at a CX race. Every time I get on one now it just kills me, even though I took some time off the bike, etc. I had to switch to Sella Italia SLR saddles to make the problem go away.

bssjackson

No I didnt get measured for my saddle I wasnt aware of such a thing you learn something new everyday. I was looking into those selle italia'

jeffremer

This is only for the Specialized BG saddles that come in different widths. I ride a 143mm Toupe Gel, road and fixed (disclaimer: I'm giving the a try Fizik Aliante Carbon on the road at the moment, but only because I curious and I'm liking it so far, nothing against the Toupe).

I've done several centuries (and longer) on a Toupe Gel, spending up to almost 9hrs on one once, no problem with numbness. I'd recommend it in a heartbeat (Gel or not).

AEO

Yep, I meant the 130mm, 143mm, 155mm width measurements for specialized BG saddles.
most selle italia saddles are under 135mm width, pro link and C2 are 143mm (5 3/4") wide.

Also you don't have to go with a toupe, specialized has a decent selection of BG saddles you can choose from, some might be more comfortable for you than the toupe.

fueledbymetal

I switched from a 143 Alias to a Fizik Aliante Gamma and couldn't be happier. I was propperly sized for the Alias at my LBS with the Specialized butt tool, but I could never get compfortable on it after 800 miles of trying. It was either too hard on my sit bones or destroyed my taint, depending on where I sat on it.

Amen

I started road biking on a Bontronger race lux, and I hated it. My butt would give me dirty looks if I thought about going for a ride.

Then, I mentioned it to my LBS, and they gave me a new specialized seat they had laying around for free. I love it. Next season I will try the toupe and the butt-o-meter.

RacerJRP

I have a 143 Alias on my CAAD9 now, and after about an hour on the bike I start to notice it gettin a little tender on my left sit bone. After my last ride I go thome and jumped right onto my mtb that has a 143 Toupe on it. The toupe felt instantly better than the Alias when I got off of it. Is it odd to be more comfortbale on the harder saddle? I was measured for them. Im tossing around trying an SLR. ....wow that came out pretty long winded..

jeffremer

That's not really all that odd. Two explanations:

1. The alias is just a different shape, it could be the same width put be creating different pressure.
2. Softer saddles can actually create more pressure points because of where you sink in.

What's more odd is that only your left sit bone is sore, but that could be to just sitting unevenly, slightly turned seatpost, uneven butt bones, etc...

Skewer

The Toupe saddles come in 130, 143 and 155mm. I am pretty certain the assometer is for Toupe saddles as well. If they are not for the Toupe, two Specialized bike shops incorrectly used them to measure my sit bones for a Toupe.

jeffremer

https://www.youfail.org/

"Specialized BG saddles" refers to Specialized's Body Geometry line of saddles, including the Toupe, not a specific model. A previous poster was concerned that they weren't measured for a saddle of a different brand as well as not being measure for a Specialized saddle.

af2nr

Just goes to show how different saddles can be. I haven't had any problems on my Toupe, actually on my second one. I did do a test ride the other day, about 30 miles, on a SLR and about half way into the ride went numb with it.

s4one

A 3 hour ride is pretty long, your butt muscles are probably weak and not use to the 3 hour long ride. That can be a reason but if its the saddle, you would have been posting this thread a long time ago, for example on 30min to 1 hour rides you would have given up on the ride.

senatorw

Yes, but it was the taupe gel. Switched to Selle SMP Evolution Strike. Never looked back, and never have been numb. Not one time. (Was pricey though).

euphoria

the toupe kills me if it isn't angled just right, then it's heaven

Looneytuna

I use the fizik carbon Alliante for 3 years now... tried the Toupe last summer and after 2 rides sold it.. just wasn't for me. went right back to the Alliante... just put an arione on one of my bikes and have only a few hundred miles so far but it's not as comfortable as the Alliante..

yogi13

If you love the one you have, why switch? In fact, buy an identical one if you can in case the one you have gets trashed.

WHOOOSSHHH...

I keep trying new saddles and, ONLY the toupe seems to work for me!!