DJS2688

Hey guys,

I've been riding and racing on Specialized Toupe saddles for the past 2 years. My first toupe (the 2009) felt great and never gave me any issues. The new toupe, however, is just not right. I can not pinpoint exactly why I have problems with the new Toupe, yet I think I may benefit from a more significant center cut-out.

I was recently recommended the Selle SMP line of saddles. Can anyone point me to a specific saddle in the line? Would anyone else recommend the saddles?

Thanks.
Dan

asmallsol

https://www.sellesmp.com/en/default.htm

Pricey, but very nice. I have 2 of them.

ridethecliche

SMP>Toupe

I wish I'd decided to try them earlier. I wasted so much time on uncomfortable saddles.

RudeSiggy

I rode on the Toupe Team for over a year - loved it - but got fed up with the plastic tip nailing me in the taint. Recently, I switched the the Specialized Phenom, which is actually a lightweight mountain bike saddle. Check out that as an option.

Yes, I know I'm that guy for posing another option, but after trying Fiziik, Selle Italia, and San Marco, I stuck with Specialized because it really did help prevent circulation issues.

Posted a review on my blog: https://sigberto.blogspot.com/2009/10...phenom-sl.html

vladav

I liked the SMP & the previous incarnation Toupe(haven't tried the new one) BUT hated the hammock effect they both had and progressively developed. Still stuck with them though because the cutout & overall shape were the closest to my anatomy.

I recently got a Romin which is morphologically (big word for the new year hehe) between the two. So far so good. Front half just barely convex, an rear half is concave. The shell is plenty rigid and the cutout is functional from bow to stern. No signs of hammock'ing.

They seem to have hit a great balance point.

SteelerHoo

I've been riding SMP Evolution on all of my bikes (road, cross and track) for the last 3.5 years and love them. Caveat being that saddle fit is highly personal and body specific.

This winter I decided to try the Toupe Team because it tends to rain a lot during the NorCal winter. Riding in the rain and sweating on the trainer makes for a short life of the SMP leather covering.

For me, the Toupe team is comfortable on short rides and for when I am riding on the tops and non-aggressively on the hoods.

When I roll and creep forward to the saddle tip when riding in the drops or get aggressive in the hoods, not having a cutout in the nose is very uncomfortable for me.

Besides the difference in cutout, the biggest difference I notice between the SMP and Toupe Team is that the SMP has a cup in the middle (concavity) which is very comfortable. In contrast, the Toupe feels to me like it's convex in comparison. On long rides (2.5+ hours) and at high rpm, this gets to be a bit uncomfortable for me as I feel like I'm precariously balanced on the peak of a hill.

If you are a concave, cupped, channel guy, SMP will work well for you. Make sure you get the correct width.

SteelerHoo

Funny you mention that, I ordered a Romin SL yesterday. Other reason I tried Specialized instead of using my trusty SMP's is because I'm too lazy to cut 5mm off of my Giant TCR SL ISP. The Specialized have a lower rise from rail to saddle top. Hope the Romin works, but I have a sneaking suspicion I will be cutting my mast.