Toupe - the end!
10-12-09, 12:21 PM
#26
On the road to health.
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everybodies ass is different. That is why there are ao many different saddle manufacturers and models.
10-12-09, 12:35 PM
#28
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I've been using the original Selle Italia Flite for years. Getting hard to find them now though and my stock is about dried up.
If any of you Toupe haters have one you would part with I'd like to try one out...
If any of you Toupe haters have one you would part with I'd like to try one out...
10-24-09, 02:54 PM
#29
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As a footnote - after trying San Marco as well, think I found my ass's new home - Selle Italia SLR XP Flow. Two rides thusfar, 30 and 78 k's - both of them felt better on and after than any of the other I've ridden for longer. I repeat, on my first two rides! Which is where I expect to find trouble. Even the initial "this-is-gonna-hurt" sitting down first time today was expected to be a pain - nothing! Did feel a bit of discomfort towards the end of the ride, but hey, it's a saddle, not the couch in front of the telly! (Which is where I'm off to now...)
10-24-09, 03:03 PM
#30
Larger Chainring
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I've noticed throwing out the "Brooks!" recommendation gets you almost instant "Fred" status around here, but...tried a Brooks? 
I have a Professional with only about 200 miles on it. Better every ride. And feels better at the end of a ride than at the beginning, which I cannot say about any fizik, selle, or vetta saddle I've ridden.
I have a Professional with only about 200 miles on it. Better every ride. And feels better at the end of a ride than at the beginning, which I cannot say about any fizik, selle, or vetta saddle I've ridden.
10-24-09, 03:19 PM
#31
175mm crank of love
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As a footnote - after trying San Marco as well, think I found my ass's new home - Selle Italia SLR XP Flow. Two rides thusfar, 30 and 78 k's - both of them felt better on and after than any of the other I've ridden for longer. I repeat, on my first two rides! Which is where I expect to find trouble. Even the initial "this-is-gonna-hurt" sitting down first time today was expected to be a pain - nothing! Did feel a bit of discomfort towards the end of the ride, but hey, it's a saddle, not the couch in front of the telly! (Which is where I'm off to now...)
10-24-09, 04:23 PM
#32
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Rolls and Regal are wider than the Concor if you find it too narrow. My Regal feels allright but my old Koobi was much kinder to my junk and I would recommend it.
10-31-09, 01:35 AM
#33
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I have a Toupe 143 and I love it... for the first 30 miles. After that my sit bones start screaming in pain. I've used it on about 7 rides now so I'm starting to think it's not going to change. 
Arione and/or Aliante are next on my list, but I haven't completely given up on the Toupe.
Arione and/or Aliante are next on my list, but I haven't completely given up on the Toupe.
So what saddle is the most like the Toupe 143.... but softer?
10-31-09, 02:01 AM
#34
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10-31-09, 08:09 AM
#35
well hello there
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10-31-09, 08:58 AM
#37
Peloton Shelter Dog
Don't scare me like that dude, you had me thinking Specialized was discontinuing the Toupe 143. That's all I ride.
10-31-09, 09:25 AM
#38
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Toup 143 after Alliante and SMP...so far so good.
10-31-09, 09:33 AM
#39
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I tried the specialized saddles and was not a fan. I tried so many saddles (a LBS was nice enough to let me sample every saddle they had in their store for free as long as I bought the final saddle from them). Ended up with a Selle Italia SLR XP (no reason for the XP, they were out of the regular SLR's which feel the same).
10-31-09, 09:53 AM
#40
Full Member
Found true bliss w/Selle Italia SLR Gel Flow.
10-31-09, 10:39 AM
#41
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Started with an SLR. Sucked it up for the first few months.
Now, after years of riding, I can sit on anything. Actually, gel saddles bother me more than the hard ones now.
Now, after years of riding, I can sit on anything. Actually, gel saddles bother me more than the hard ones now.
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10-31-09, 10:40 AM
#42
The "Mechanic"
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I went from a Phenom saddle to Toupe and the change is night and day for me. I can ride for 5 hours and not feel any pain. The Toupe is my most comfortable saddle! Now I can concentrate on the ride!
10-31-09, 12:13 PM
#43
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fwiw, one of the lbs guy told me that Specialized Toupe was the saddle that everyone wanted for a while. He then said that that trend is fading, and that the Bontrager RL and RXL series are coming up head to head with the toupe and it's slowly becoming what everyone wants. Not sure how true it was...he probably was just trying to get me to buy one. I tried it for $99, <1month later, I returned it!
My saddle adventure: Scott Speed (stock) -> Selle Italia Flite-> Specialized Toupe Gel-> Selle Italia SLR Gel Flow XC-> Bontrager RL-> Specialized Toupe-> Selle Italia Max Flite Gel Flow-> Selle Italia Signo Gel Flow >>>> and realized Selle Italia Max Flite Gel Flow is the best.
Almost all were bought used and then sold off on ebay, even the SI Max Flite (I broke even mostly or +/- $5). Then I bought a new SI Max Flite Gel Flow in the color I want and that's what I ride today (my behind thanks me everytime it remembers all the other saddles that I tried).
My saddle adventure: Scott Speed (stock) -> Selle Italia Flite-> Specialized Toupe Gel-> Selle Italia SLR Gel Flow XC-> Bontrager RL-> Specialized Toupe-> Selle Italia Max Flite Gel Flow-> Selle Italia Signo Gel Flow >>>> and realized Selle Italia Max Flite Gel Flow is the best.
Almost all were bought used and then sold off on ebay, even the SI Max Flite (I broke even mostly or +/- $5). Then I bought a new SI Max Flite Gel Flow in the color I want and that's what I ride today (my behind thanks me everytime it remembers all the other saddles that I tried).
10-31-09, 12:16 PM
#44
hamster with funny pants
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Here's another vote for the Koobi. I have Xenons on all my bikes. The one I tried before was an Aliante, which was very comfortable, but gave me soft tissue issues. WMMV, of course, but it is another option.
10-31-09, 12:22 PM
#45
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+0.5, I'm waiting for my time that I have enough natural butt cushioning to sit on anything and ride!
10-31-09, 09:05 PM
#46
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Alias 130 for me. I should have gotten the 143. Different interface issues. No more numbness. I am beginning to think perhaps some good shorts might be in order. First ride today in the winter gear and I was much more comfortable. I'll give this saddle some more time, but I think I like it.
11-02-09, 12:28 AM
#48
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Say what you want - I am now very very happy on the SLR. Fits me like a tracksuit! And it takes away a lot of road noise (for me) so the ride is suddenly super-comfy. Love it! And fortunately readily available over here.
11-02-09, 12:30 AM
#49
ub3r n00b
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try a bontrager rl. get measured then use the guarantee to try it out.
11-02-09, 03:03 PM
#50
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In '06, my Langster came with a low end Toupe. I liked that saddle, but I managed to destroy it. I have a Phenom on that bike now, and it seems more durable but less comfortable. I got a 2004 Allez used, and the seat on it gives me numbness, numb toes and ED. Anyone got a Toupe that they hate enough to part with for cheap?
