Specialized Toupe Saddle review:

Triathlon Forum
1

Since many on this board have been contemplating this saddle, I promised a short review after I’ve been on mine for a while.

I know saddles are a very individual thing, but several saddles seem to get overall glowing reviews, and this was one. For referrence, my previous favorite was a Fizik Arione. I originally had the basic black when it first cam out, then the cool white with rainbow stripe down the middle world champ edition that I beat the hell out of. I also have an Arione tri that I like (but I’m not thrilled with). Previous saddle was an SLR. I prefer firmer saddles with support and not the cushy things (even when aero).

Saddle is the white, 143mm version. Bascially, this is my new favorite. First, it looks awesome (hey, it matters). Cool white with carbon fiber tip and 2 carbon little thingeys off the back with a subtle alligator type print. Second, it is surprisingly light (doesn’t matter much, but a nice bonus). Specialized says 155g and mine weighed in at 159g. Lighter than my reference XLR XP at 165g and WAY lighter than my Arione. First few rides (12 miles, 30 miles, 15 miles, 75 miles) took some getting used to. Like the SLR, you must have this set up on the bike right (i.e. angle, height, fore/aft). Felt a little hard (even to my steel taint used to the SLR). But, it has become quite flexible now - even more flex on the sides than the Arione, even with easy finger pressure and is now very comfy over the past few rides (35 miles, 83 and 56). There is plenty of wiggle room scooching back to climb, sweet spot in the middle and a narrow front for no chaffing. I’ve never been a big fan of the cut outs, but I think this one works because the seat is so firm. Previous cut out designs were on softer seats and let your soft tissues 'kinda herniate in. This one seems to work, especially when aero. Reference bike for all rides is a Cervelo Soloist Carbon. Most rides in full cycling bibs (Nike and my Hincapie team bibs) and 2 in thin tri shorts. First 4 rides as a road bike, but lots in the drops including 1 road race, last 2 with clip ons and aero for 85% of the ride. Mix of climbing, lots of sitting in the flats, some rough roads, but mostly typical roads of the midwest.

So, for anyone looking for a new road (and maybe tri) saddle this one is a home run. Lastly, seems to be made WAY better than my Arione (I’ve killed 3 of them) with no early fraying or sanding of the lettering from my taint like you see on Fizik saddles. Hope this helps some!

2

Nice review!

I’m curious how you came to select the width that you did. All your previous saddles are a bit narrower - did you recieve guidance which led you to the 143 as opposed to the 130?

I’m on an SLR XP right now and love the thing - but there’s always room for improvement.

3

Dealer has this thing you sit on (gel) and they measure. I thought for sure I’d be on the 130 since I’m pretty thin (5-10, 158 lbs.), but I fit the 143. I have heard this from others as well. I’m not sure who (other than a thin woman) would fit on the 130. Yes, I like thin saddles and don’t notice the rear width at all because of the marked flex it has. The front is still very thin and I feel no rubbing at all.

4

I’ve got a Soloist Team with a Fizik Arione. I’m considering getting the toupe but I read somewhere that the saddle cut out and the tilting bolt on the cervelo seat post don’t work. Apparently when the rails flex you get to “feel” the bolt through the cut out. What do you think?. I believe the seat post system is the same in the Soloist Carbon and Team.

5

??? No.

I just checked - the bolt is pretty far (at least 1/2 inch) from the bottom of the seat. The seat is pretty flexible (yet firm) which is what makes it nice, but you would have to be pretty heavy to smash this down enough to feel the top adjustment bolt (like 250 lbs. plus I’m guessing). I’m only 155-162 lbs depending upon the season. I suppose it is possible as the bolt IS directly under the cutout, but I couldn’t bottom the seat out pushing pretty hard.

6

I have the black 143mm toupe on my p3 SL and I’ve had no problems with bolts at all.

This baby’s stylish, light and super comfortable. I found the stock saddle lead to numb alley after a short time of riding, but the cutout really works to eliminate that.

The only problem that I ran into was I didn’t realize the profile of this saddle is so much lower than my stock saddle. If you switch to the toupe, make sure to readjust your seatpost height to eliminate any fit problems.

7

Thanks for the info, as I’m pondering a new saddle purchase.

I gotta tell you, though, the bar for Toupe reviews has been set pretty high:

http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/article.asp?SP=&v=4&UAN=518