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Specialized Toupe Gel Saddle

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Specialized Toupe Gel Saddle

BikeRadar verdict

4.5 out of 5 stars

"Minimalist gel saddle, a bit more comfort, but also a bit more weight than the original"

3 comments
Wed 27 Jun 2007, 1:00 am BSTBy

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With this new version of the Toupe saddle, Specialized have taken the tried-and-tested features of the popular original, but added gel instead of foam padding with the aim of increasing comfort.

It might look like a harsh, minimalist design but we find the Toupe incredibly comfortable.

That's partly down to the cutaway mid-section designed to reduce pressure on the arteries and prevent discomfort, numbness or medical problems associated with the loss of blood flow. We're not saying that the Specialized design will suit everyone's anatomy, but most of our testers found it very comfy. The choice of two different widths (130mm and 143mm) certainly helps to get a good fit - visit a Specialized dealer to find out which is best for you.

The carbon-reinforced nylon shell and hollow titanium rails offer enough flex to take the sting out of road irregularities, while still providing a firm platform for pedalling. The synthetic leather cover is water-resistant and, as previous versions have proved, durable.

Does the gel offer more comfort than the £10 cheaper standard Toupe? Well, that's simply a matter of personal preference. If you're a weight freak, it's worth considering that at 205g (for the 143mm width version), the gel saddle is fairly lightweight but it's not in the same league as the 155g foam equivalent.

What's the score with BikeRadar reviews? You can find a full explanation of our ratings here.

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User Reviews

There are 3 reviews on this post

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 comments

  • I've only recently bought this saddle but it seems that penile numbness might be a thing of the past, and let's be honest, cycling is wonderful but life with a Johnson you can feel is more important than just about anything.

  • bought this saddle out of desperation for numb knob relief! it provided instant relief from this and have NEVER had any numbness when riding, but, wow the seat bones cannot take more than one ride at a time. Riding on consecutive days has become impossible due to seat bone pain. No matter if the ride is only 10 miles the pain is still there. The saddle is good to ride but I suffer afterwards and after 1000miles on it have finally given up on it and am trying others

  • Flawed concept but good design.

    Really thin gel layer does not stop ischial tuberosity getting bruised even after acclimatisation.

    OK if you use aero bars and do short distances (ie time trialling) but if you do big miles it causes severe pressure on sit bones.

    Time triallers might as well buy the standard Toupe which is much lighter.

    Distance cyclists will want more comfort.

    Specialized have presumably aimed this at distance cyclists as they have added gel and made it a lot heavier than standard, but it just isn't a comfortable perch. You can argue that comfort is subjective, but just look at it - very very thin padding and not no room on the saddle to move and change positions - it's not a distance design.

    This saddle is very well designed and if well set up casues no numbness, however it sits in a completely pointless position in terms of application.

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Specification

Name:
Toupe Gel Saddle
Built by:
Specialized Bicycles
Price:
n/a

Description:
Available in 130mm and 143mm widths
Weight (g):
205 g
Available Colours:
Black, White
Road/Performance Compatibility:
Road
Saddle Padding:
Gel
Ergonomic Saddle Features:
Cut-Out Section
Saddle Rails:
Titanium
Saddle Cover Material:
Synthetic Leather, Water-resistant
Saddle Shell Material:
Carbon Reinforced, Nylon

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