Can't seem to get comfortable on this damn Regal.

I'm trying to find a saddle that is a bit more flat, one that I'd sit ON. Much like you Arione riders. The Regal is so curvy you end up sitting "in" it. And that causes chaffing for me. Right on my taint, where the Toupe's cutout would be.

The padding on the Regal is fine. I've never, ever experienced sit bone pain or soreness. And the padding on the Regal is pretty firm, forgiving but firm. The Toupe's padding is thin, but it can't be much more firm than the Regal, it's Gel too. Surprisingly, there's a bunch of guys in the Clydesdale forum the love the Toupe

Any opinions or insights?

My Toupé and I fit well together. I also have a flatter Phenom, also by Specialized. It's a little flatter/wider - check one out!

It's the only saddle I use on bikes that don't get locked up. I use the non gel version. I went through around 10 saddles before I went with the Toupe. I love it, but i'm sure it's not for everyone.

I use the gel Avatar for my beater/lockup bike. It's a little more padded for when i'm not riding in bibs. You might want to look into that one too. They've both worked out pretty good for me.

Hm, thats good to know lukewall, I have also been looking at the Avatar, and also Alias.

Would you say the Toupe is a bit too firm to ride comfortably without bibs? I'm usually in street clothes w/compression shorts.

Many people complain about the Toupe being too hard. Personally I find it very comfortable and never have a sore A**. I have it on my trainer and race bike. Have raced up to 300 km as well as the required huge mileage base, but all that is in a different position to a "town single" where I find myself sitting more upright more of the time. So I've got a Specialized Comp saddle with a little more padding.

If you go for the Toupe make sure you get fitted properly and do the sit test at least three times. Work out the average after you get three relatively consistent results and get that size. "Size does matter". If you are on rougher surfaces ... the toupe is built for speed and comfort not endurance. I had one split at the nose where the rails are held in.

The Toupe isn't a super stiff saddle at all. I think it looks stiffer than it is. I've only cruised around in street clothes on my roadies a couple times, and the Toupe felt fine then. But definitely not my first choice for a bike I would ride with a more upright posture and lock up around NY. I think the Toupe might be a little better on a bike you're going to ride with a more aggressive posture.

My Toupe is my fave saddle - I also have trouble with Rolls / Turbo rounded saddles, and the toupe does me fine. My second fave is the Alias, which I've done double centuries on with no discomfort at all. Shares the flatter profile of the Toupe with more (but stiff) padding, while not feeling overly padded on shorter rides.

Toupe Alias and Avatar are hard to beat go for one of those you won't regret it

Toupes are great saddles. Get fitted - they come in three widths (that I've seen): I have the 142's and use them for road racing, longer sportifs, as well as my daily ssfg ride.

I ride the toupe on my roadie and what makes it comfy is the flex rather than the cushion or padding. I've ridden in street clothes on rough roads and after a while its a little much for me. But it is very nice with a little padding.

Not a Toupe, Alias, or avatar user with the pista(selle italia flite saddle), but I am using a Rival with Ti rails on the dmr.

i have a toupe on my road bike, which i love, but far and away this saddle is better over the long haul, and the same approx price as the toupe. since the rear end flexes as you pedal, it seems to work with the fluid movement of the body, not fight it. i highly recommend you try this selle italia.

I just bought the Specialized BG2 saddle. Having never sat on a saddle that I found "comfortable," I can honestly say "I feel very comfortable on this seat." Plus as far as good/decent saddles go, it was cheap. Only $40 at my LBS.

Only downside, you're not going to win any style points with this seat. It is ugly, but I think not having an RX for viagra by the time I'm 30 is worth riding an ugly saddle.

A Bontrager Inform RL is flat and similar to the Toupe in shape, and it also comes in three widths. I love the saddle, 210 grams and only $60 on sale at www.treksandiego.com. 90 day love it or leave it trial period!

I just put on a Brooks Flyer, and I think I'm going back to my Toupe.

Brooks saddles take awhile to break in, I'd wait for a while.

Had the Toupe. Still have it on my road bike. I switched to the Phenom. No tabs to snag on my baggies. Defintely get fitted on the Specialized *****meter.
Edit: The official name for Specialize's meter is censored. haha

I have a Inform RL, and I really like it. Just get your sit bone width measured and buy the appropriate size.