one4smoke

After much patience, I've given the Body Geometry Toupé Sport that came standard on my Roubaix ample opportunity to work out ...and it just hasn't. So, I'm wondering if there's anyone that also had issues with this particular saddle, and if so, what did you upgrade to that worked? Did you stay in the Specialized equipment section, or go elsewhere?

Now, I've been here long enough to know that what works for one, doesn't necessarily equate to success for another ...if ever. Regardless, I'd be interested know in which direction you went. It'll at least be a starting point...

GeneO 

Have a phenom expert on my Roubaix and Diverge that have been kind to derriere. YMMV.

jitteringjr

I tried the Toupé and instantly didn’t like it. I do now have a Phenom on my trainer bike (bianchi) and a power arc on my road bike (Canyon). The power arc has a larger cut out so it’s more comfortable in the drops than the Phenom. I bought the Phenom when the rails on an older Selle Italia finally cracked after 12 years and it was discontinued.

My Canyon came with a Fizik Arione saddle with no cutout or groove and it didn’t work for me. Ironically my MTB saddle is an older Fizik Pave saddle with no groove or cutout and it does quite well for me.

cyclozone

I recently started using the Specialized Power Expert saddle and it has been the most comfortable saddle i’ve tried. It supports well when my back is about 45 degrees, and when I’m in an aero position, I hardly experience perineal pressure.

draganm

I hated that saddle too.
What's your body type, the Selle Italia SMP line offers a large range for different body-types but same basic principle of max Perennial pressure relief. I love mine, A Drakon, not cheap but worth it .(I'm a large rider at 230 pounds or so, )

This is also the best article I've ever read on bike saddles , and how I chose my model.

https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com...ll-about-smps/

eric1971

Flite Flow is my current saddle of choice.

Capo72

I concur with these statements. My LBS gave me a demo to try for a while. I was looking for slightly different contact points after struggling with some nagging, minor saddle sores from my Selle Italia Gel flow max. The big deal for me was the increased comfort while riding in the drops. I can go for a much longer time in the drops with the Spesh Power Saddle.

nycphotography

Toupe cut into the back of my thighs.

Ended up riding Selle Italia SLR Carbonios for years, last year got a SLR Carbonio Flow or some such, when I cracked my old SLR Carbonio.

Get the occasional dingle tingle, so got a SLR Max Flow last time around. It helps, but doesn't completely eliminate the numbness. Luckily it's a minor problem as I can always just stand for 15 seconds if needed.

I also have Phenom on the cross bike, and it's fine too, just on the porky side weight wise.

Oh, and NO GEL EVER.

caloso

Romin. It has a definite swoop profile which makes it a bit finicky to set up, but once I got it dialed in, it just disappeared.

WhyFi

The starting point is to identify *why* it's not working out for you. You're just throwing darts blindfolded, otherwise.

bleui

I think for everyone that hasn't find their perfect saddle should at least try Spez Power saddle for at least a week of riding

Hapsmo911

I switched from Toupe to Fizik Antares and am happy. That said Specialized will let you return any saddle within 30 days so cant go wrong trying a bunch of those...

DoYouDiverge

After my Toupe Sport broke after a fall, I tried the Specialized Power Saddle from the LBS and bought the Expert version the next day. Highly recommended.

one4smoke

Thanks for the replies and recommendations...
I'll probably try several different Specialized saddles before considering other brands. Maybe the Power Expert and/or the Phenom Expert.
Pardon the inexperience, but how do you know if you need a 143mm, 155 or 168?

WhyFi

You go to a Specialized dealer and ask to be measured on an Ass-o-meter.

You still haven't mentioned why your current saddle isn't working for you, though - what kind of discomfort are you having?

one4smoke

What kind of discomfort? ...PAIN! More specifically, pain on my sit-bones "area".

When I first started back into cycling several years ago, padded shorts were a necessity on my Giant Roam. After a year or so of heavy riding, I could go non-padded even on rides over 50 miles and still be OK. With my Roubaix, no way I can go without pads, even for 5 miles. Padded shorts helps, but only minimally. I guess I could just put the saddle on my Roam (or one like it) on the Roubaix, but not sure if that would work considering one is obviously a hybrid, and the other a road bike.

one4smoke

Really? Ass-o-meter??

jitteringjr

Its essentially a foam block and you measure the distance between the sit bones dimples in the pad after you sit on it. WhyFi said it well

one4smoke

Just never heard that "phrase."

pvillemasher

I did this after years of trying to find the right saddle. Assometer said get this size, I did and VIOLA, I have been riding it ever since (Specialized Phenom).

IMO - Talking about what saddle will work, without first knowing your size, is like saying "These Nike running shoes hurt my feet" without first knowing your shoe size.
Only difference is that there are only a few saddle sizes so your chances of getting it right just by chance are greater than with shoes.

WhyFi

Still not terribly specific - not sure if you're talking about tender tissue directly between the sit bones and saddle or if your "area" reference is hinting at perineum pain or something else. Start with getting measured, but a read through this may be informative, too - https://www.cervelo.com/en/engineeri...f-road-saddles

WhyFi

one4smoke

Generally, is a rider's body weight reflective of which size saddle would be an appropriate fit?

one4smoke

Never having heard that phrase, just wasn't sure if you were pullin' my leg or not. LOL

WhyFi

No. Sit bone width and ride position are the main factors.