Comments on: Specialized Toupe Saddle Review http://bicycleseatreviews.com/specialized-toupe-saddle-review/ Tue, 20 Jul 2010 02:52:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Bruce http://bicycleseatreviews.com/specialized-toupe-saddle-review/comment-page-1/#comment-3626 Bruce Wed, 19 May 2010 17:07:47 +0000 http://bicycleseatreviews.com/?p=333#comment-3626 I purchased a 2009 Specialized Roubaix Comp Compact a few months ago. The more relaxed riding positions provided by the Roubaix , as well as the comfort offerd by reduced vibrations offered, were the deciding factors for this 60 year old. The bike came with a Specialized Toupe 143mm gel seat in white. I found that I was riding forward on the seat and if I moved back it was not as confortable. After a month or so I noticed that the seat was taking on a yellow sheen, I tried to clean it to no avail. The selling dealer looked at the seat when I was in to change out the original Shimano 105 shifters for the Shimano Ultagra style ST-R700's built for smaller hands. I mentioned the issue of riding forward on the seat. He made a butt measurement and found that similar to my hand issues, my butt was smaller than the size needed for the supplied 143mm seat. He called the supplier and had the seat exchanged for a 130mm black Toupe gel. While waiting for the new seat, he installed a Specialized Alias 130mm, I found the reduced width allowed me to sit in the proper position on the seat comfortably. I like the Alias seat, although it feels more firm that the original larger 143mm Toupe. I am sure I will enjoy the miles when the new Toupe sized for my small butt is installed!! I purchased a 2009 Specialized Roubaix Comp Compact a few months ago. The more relaxed riding positions provided by the Roubaix , as well as the comfort offerd by reduced vibrations offered, were the deciding factors for this 60 year old.
The bike came with a Specialized Toupe 143mm gel seat in white.
I found that I was riding forward on the seat and if I moved back it was not as confortable. After a month or so I noticed that the seat was taking on a yellow sheen, I tried to clean it to no avail. The selling dealer looked at the seat when I was in to change out the original Shimano 105 shifters for the Shimano Ultagra style ST-R700’s built for smaller hands. I mentioned the issue of riding forward on the seat. He made a butt measurement and found that similar to my hand issues, my butt was smaller than the size needed for the supplied 143mm seat. He called the supplier and had the seat exchanged for a 130mm black Toupe gel. While waiting for the new seat, he installed a Specialized Alias 130mm, I found the reduced width allowed me to sit in the proper position on the seat comfortably. I like the Alias seat, although it feels more firm that the original larger 143mm Toupe. I am sure I will enjoy the miles when the new Toupe sized for my small butt is installed!!

]]> By: DSE http://bicycleseatreviews.com/specialized-toupe-saddle-review/comment-page-1/#comment-3361 DSE Thu, 08 Apr 2010 20:10:39 +0000 http://bicycleseatreviews.com/?p=333#comment-3361 Don't let the thin profile and light padding fool you. This is a light but comfortable saddle. I personally prefer no gel or padding, because the seat itself flexes as needed. Make sure it fits your seat bones, and give it (and yourself) time to break things in, and you'll find it is an excellent comfy, saddle. Too many recreational riders starting out or getting started don't give a saddle a chance, or assume heavy padding is better, when in fact your butt will be more sore with heavy padding. A good value too. Don’t let the thin profile and light padding fool you. This is a light but comfortable saddle. I personally prefer no gel or padding, because the seat itself flexes as needed. Make sure it fits your seat bones, and give it (and yourself) time to break things in, and you’ll find it is an excellent comfy, saddle. Too many recreational riders starting out or getting started don’t give a saddle a chance, or assume heavy padding is better, when in fact your butt will be more sore with heavy padding. A good value too.

]]> By: HS Romanow http://bicycleseatreviews.com/specialized-toupe-saddle-review/comment-page-1/#comment-3237 HS Romanow Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:18:17 +0000 http://bicycleseatreviews.com/?p=333#comment-3237 I have a ridden my Toupe for about 9 months. I tried several saddles prior to selecting the Toupe. Over the years I've used Gel Flows and Brooks Swift (still on one of my bikes). The saddle is very comfortable...at least for the first 3 hours. It great for climbing and descents, with plenty of positioning room. However, on longer rides (those over 3 hours), I found the saddle to be extraordinarily uncomfortable. On a recent 135 mile ride, I ended up having to stand about every 5 minutes for the last 2 hours to ease the pain. After writing to Specialized, wondering if it was me or the saddle, the indication from them is that the saddle is not made for endurance riding. I wish my bike shop had told me that after I had indicated that I needed a saddle that would take me through high mile rides. So, a great saddle for me for shorter rides. Not so much supporting endurance events. I have a ridden my Toupe for about 9 months. I tried several saddles prior to selecting the Toupe. Over the years I’ve used Gel Flows and Brooks Swift (still on one of my bikes). The saddle is very comfortable…at least for the first 3 hours. It great for climbing and descents, with plenty of positioning room. However, on longer rides (those over 3 hours), I found the saddle to be extraordinarily uncomfortable. On a recent 135 mile ride, I ended up having to stand about every 5 minutes for the last 2 hours to ease the pain. After writing to Specialized, wondering if it was me or the saddle, the indication from them is that the saddle is not made for endurance riding. I wish my bike shop had told me that after I had indicated that I needed a saddle that would take me through high mile rides.

So, a great saddle for me for shorter rides. Not so much supporting endurance events.

]]> By: Tony Barrand http://bicycleseatreviews.com/specialized-toupe-saddle-review/comment-page-1/#comment-2646 Tony Barrand Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:23:19 +0000 http://bicycleseatreviews.com/?p=333#comment-2646 I purchased a 2009 Specialized Roubaix Comp Compact a few months ago. The more relaxed riding positions provided by the Roubaix , as well as the comfort offerd by reduced vibrations offered, were the deciding factors for this 60 year old. The bike came with a Specialized Toupe 143mm gel seat in white. I found that I was riding forward on the seat and if I moved back it was not as confortable. After a month or so I noticed that the seat was taking on a yellow sheen, I tried to clean it to no avail. The selling dealer looked at the seat when I was in to change out the original Shimano 105 shifters for the Shimano Ultagra style ST-R700's built for smaller hands. I mentioned the issue of riding forward on the seat. He made a butt measurement and found that similar to my hand issues, my butt was smaller than the size needed for the supplied 143mm seat. He called the supplier and had the seat exchanged for a 130mm black Toupe gel. While waiting for the new seat, he installed a Specialized Alias 130mm, I found the reduced width allowed me to sit in the proper position on the seat comfortably. I like the Alias seat, although it feels more firm that the original larger 143mm Toupe. I am sure I will enjoy the miles when the new Toupe sized for my small butt is installed!! I purchased a 2009 Specialized Roubaix Comp Compact a few months ago. The more relaxed riding positions provided by the Roubaix , as well as the comfort offerd by reduced vibrations offered, were the deciding factors for this 60 year old.
The bike came with a Specialized Toupe 143mm gel seat in white.
I found that I was riding forward on the seat and if I moved back it was not as confortable. After a month or so I noticed that the seat was taking on a yellow sheen, I tried to clean it to no avail. The selling dealer looked at the seat when I was in to change out the original Shimano 105 shifters for the Shimano Ultagra style ST-R700’s built for smaller hands. I mentioned the issue of riding forward on the seat. He made a butt measurement and found that similar to my hand issues, my butt was smaller than the size needed for the supplied 143mm seat. He called the supplier and had the seat exchanged for a 130mm black Toupe gel. While waiting for the new seat, he installed a Specialized Alias 130mm, I found the reduced width allowed me to sit in the proper position on the seat comfortably. I like the Alias seat, although it feels more firm that the original larger 143mm Toupe. I am sure I will enjoy the miles when the new Toupe sized for my small butt is installed!!

]]>