Specialized Toupe?
08-17-18, 02:10 PM
#1
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Specialized Toupe?
I've used the various older Toupe and Alias up to about 7 years ago, and I want to consider them again. I would be interested in getting one with gel in teh sitbones area. I already know I should use a 143.
Which one actually rides the best? The price range is huge, from a little over $100 up to $300. Is there a sweet spot in the product line? The main differences seem to be rail material, i.e. weight. Is that it?
Which one actually rides the best? The price range is huge, from a little over $100 up to $300. Is there a sweet spot in the product line? The main differences seem to be rail material, i.e. weight. Is that it?
08-17-18, 02:20 PM
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I've used the various older Toupe and Alias up to about 7 years ago, and I want to consider them again. I would be interested in getting one with gel in teh sitbones area. I already know I should use a 143.
Which one actually rides the best? The price range is huge, from a little over $100 up to $300. Is there a sweet spot in the product line? The main differences seem to be rail material, i.e. weight. Is that it?
Which one actually rides the best? The price range is huge, from a little over $100 up to $300. Is there a sweet spot in the product line? The main differences seem to be rail material, i.e. weight. Is that it?
08-17-18, 03:26 PM
#3
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when are they going to retire the Toupe and launch the Threepe?
08-17-18, 04:24 PM
#4
I pedal in my sleep...
I don't know which model this one is but I got it off of eBay for $35 used in great condition. It has TI rails. Great saddle but I bought a 143 before I started experimenting with a more narrow saddle and now I wish I had gotten a 130 instead.
08-17-18, 04:54 PM
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08-17-18, 05:04 PM
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The sweet spot is going to differ based upon your willingness to spend. I think that the Ti rail version is probably the best value, but I do have a carbon rail version, too. Both of the current carbon and Ti models indicate Level 2 padding, so I would expect that they'd be the same (my Toupes are both from different generations - I find my Ti one to feel stiffer, which I actually prefer). Also keep in mind seatpost/clamp compatibility - the carbon rails are ovalized, so they don't work with all posts/clamps.
So unless I hear strong information from the personal experience of the Roadie community here, (such as you really have to wait for the Threepe), I'm ordering the saddle from an LBS when I can get out there.
08-17-18, 05:14 PM
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But I looked at some on Ebay, and I could not see how to correlate which new one is the equivalent of some of the older ones.
08-17-18, 05:47 PM
#8
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That one in the pic is an older Gel model. I have one of those. To me its the most comfy out of three Toupe models in 143mm I had.
Although I'm currently riding a Selle Italia SLR Kit Carbonio Flow which is a bit narrower and has a bit more flex.
Although I'm currently riding a Selle Italia SLR Kit Carbonio Flow which is a bit narrower and has a bit more flex.
08-21-18, 02:31 PM
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I've used the various older Toupe and Alias up to about 7 years ago, and I want to consider them again. I would be interested in getting one with gel in teh sitbones area. I already know I should use a 143.
Which one actually rides the best? The price range is huge, from a little over $100 up to $300. Is there a sweet spot in the product line? The main differences seem to be rail material, i.e. weight. Is that it?
Which one actually rides the best? The price range is huge, from a little over $100 up to $300. Is there a sweet spot in the product line? The main differences seem to be rail material, i.e. weight. Is that it?
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08-21-18, 08:48 PM
#12
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Thanks, Nacho! I think I sold my Alias', a Brooks Pro, and a few Sella Italias of differing flavors, at a bikie garage sale here in Ann Arbor. The S-Is were purchases in terrible condition, but dirt cheap to experiment with saddles in prep for a tour. I haven't gone back to that brand.
I just bought another Toupe Expert Gel 143 with Ti rails. I'm gonna again try my B17 Imperial and my B15 Swallow Select leather before I try the new Toupe, but keep an open mind. I also might swap the 155 Toupe onto the 650b Terraferma, and put the 143 Toupe on the ELOS Mondonico, with its more aggressive seated position.
I just bought another Toupe Expert Gel 143 with Ti rails. I'm gonna again try my B17 Imperial and my B15 Swallow Select leather before I try the new Toupe, but keep an open mind. I also might swap the 155 Toupe onto the 650b Terraferma, and put the 143 Toupe on the ELOS Mondonico, with its more aggressive seated position.
