Specialized Toupe Pro vs Toupe Expert Gel (2014)

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BRM
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by BRM

Specialized

Toupe Pro vs Toupe Expert Gel (2014)


I like to know if there is a real difference between the padding comfort of these two saddles.
Most info around Specialized saddles is outdated. I’m looking for info for the recent models.

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mpulsiv
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by mpulsiv

Padding level is not listed anywhere. It was me back and forth with Specialized customer service until I got what I needed. Keep in mind that weight is not accurate. Specialized is notorious for listing inaccurate weight on anything they sell!

2013 Toupe Expert 143mm (184 grams weighted by me) http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb/sa ... oup-expert
level 1 padding
2014 Toupe Expert Gel 143mm (222 grams) http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb/sa ... expert-gel
level 2 padding

2013 Toupe Pro 143mm (159 grams) http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb/sa ... s/toup-pro
2014 Toupe Pro 143mm (159 grams) http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb/sa ... s/toup-pro
level 1 padding apply to both

2013 Toupe Comp gel 143mm (228 grams) http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb/sa ... upecompgel
2014 Toupe Comp gel 143mm (262 grams) http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb/sa ... p-comp-gel
level 2 padding apply to both

2013 Toupe Plus comp 143mm (243 grams) http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb/sa ... pepluscomp
padding unknown
2013 Toupe RBX expert 143mm (219 grams) http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb/sa ... rbx-expert
level 2 padding apply to both

2013 Romin Evo Pro 155mm (182 grams) http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb/sa ... ominevopro
2014 Romin Evo Pro 155mm (182 grams) http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb/sa ... in-evo-pro
level 2 padding apply to both

2013 Romin Evo Expert 155mm (240 grams weighted by me) http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb/sa ... nevoexpert
2014 Romin Evo Expert gel 155mm (263 grams) http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb/sa ... expert-gel
level 2 padding apply to both

2013 Romin Evo Comp gel 155mm (245 grams) http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb/sa ... evocompgel
2014 Romin Evo Comp gel 155mm (245 grams) http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb/sa ... o-comp-gel
level 2 padding apply to both
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dmoneysworks
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by dmoneysworks

Toupe Pro vs Toupe Expert Gel (2014) - I own both of those '14 saddles and I notice no difference between saddle padding!! both are comfortable saddles & would probably struggle to tell difference between except for the carbon vs. Ti rails. Hopefully that's more helpful that the spam above

NealH
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by NealH

I also have both and, there is no difference for all practical purposes. I guess its possible a laboratory could identify some difference but, people won't. They are virtually identical.

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mpulsiv
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by mpulsiv

dmoneysworks wrote:Toupe Pro vs Toupe Expert Gel (2014) - I own both of those '14 saddles and I notice no difference between saddle padding!! both are comfortable saddles & would probably struggle to tell difference between except for the carbon vs. Ti rails. Hopefully that's more helpful that the spam above


The ask was about level of padding! Don't call out detailed info/specs a SPAM just because your ass can't tell the difference between level 1 and level 2 padding. Perhaps you should set the bar for all. If "dmoneysworks" can't tell the difference then no other rider will.
Racing is a three-dimensional high-speed chess game, involving hundreds of pieces on the board.

:arrow: CBA = Chronic Bike Addiction
:arrow: OCD = Obsessive Cycling Disorder

NiFTY
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by NiFTY

I will weigh in. I have had a bunch of different toupe's over the years.
Toupe Gel 2009 (Ti rails) - shell cracked
Toupe expert Gel 2013 (Cromo)
Toupe Pro 2013/2014 x 2 (1st one cracked after like 3000k's - warrantied)
S works toupe 2012 (before it got fat and padded)

I am currently riding the s works on one bike and toupe pro on the other. When i switched to the pro from the expert i actually found it more comfy, as the decrease in padding meant i slid around less.
I occasionally get some mild discomfort on longer rides pro<s works, but nothing bad. I have never had any numbness on any of the toupe's (compared to the saddles prior), I have never had a saddle sore. The only time I have had enough discomfort after a ride that would prevent me riding the next day was after a 40k ITT i did on my road bike, I later discovered the saddle had cracked clean through one side (this was likely the source of discomfort)

I have done a 320k, 8900 vertical metres, 14.5 hour ride "everesting" on my s works toupe and it was fine.

In summary, the level of padding doesn't really matter as long as the toupe shape fits your sit bones.
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CBJ
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by CBJ

I agree fit is much much more important. I have a gel version now and I would be hard pressed to say its any softer than the previous none gel version I had.

bluesea
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by bluesea

From what I've seem they've changed the Toupe enough, that some former users may not adapt to the new. Taking away the old shell suspension, by substituting a stiffer shell and thicker foam or gel is not necessarily a seamless change. Electing not to experiment until needed, I bought the last two 2013 Toupe Experts on the island.

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BRM
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by BRM

Thank you for the responses. But have in mind: The question is about the 2014 models.
All other info about former years, which are different saddles, is pretty obsolete and only confusing.

The straight answers of dmoneysworks and NealH are in the right direction.



On the Specialized website, on the saddle page you can click on: Help me choose
which gives http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb/saddle-finder/

There you will see Specialized has marked the:
Toupe Sworks, Pro and Expert Gel all with padding level 1

However the very similar Toupe Comp Gel has padding level 2



When I follow name logica, Expert Gel gives me the idea it has extra padding
(Therefore you should expect the Expert Gel, having padding level 2 also)

It would be much less confusing when Specialized would give all saddles with the same padding level the same abbreviation orso.


Because the sworks is a bit expensive and I also dont have experience yet with Toupe model, I selected the Pro and Expert Gel.

In general I prefer a wider saddle. Recently I tried a Selle Italia SLR max gel flow.
I was a bit less wide than advertised and I didn't liked it , not the fit neither the looks.
I wanted to try another flat saddle and so I came with the Toupe. I dont know if the flat area on the saddle is wider on the Toupe than the Selle Italia. When it is wider I maybe can take the 143 otherwise there is still the option of 155. I now have planned to buy both, a 143 as well 155. To have a good comparison. Keep one and return the other. I first need to make the choice between the Pro vs Expert Gel. Dont want to order 4 saddles at once . . . . :wink:

dmoneysworks
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by dmoneysworks

go for the toupe pro (you'll be glad you did), it's the best of both worlds - stiffer and lighter than the expert & with adequate padding. Go for the expert if your on a budget (the difference here is only $70). Just measure your sit bones as CBJ and NiFTY said fit is the most important factor. Good luck!

Causidicus
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by Causidicus

.
Last edited by Causidicus on Wed Jun 18, 2014 1:30 am, edited 1 time in total.

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BRM
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by BRM

Causidicus wrote:I've used the Toupe Pro and in my experience it has a short shelf life. It starts sagging and being a little less than what you expected after a couple of hundred hours use.


Hi,
Which model year of the Pro is that exactly?

Causidicus
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by Causidicus

.
Last edited by Causidicus on Wed Jun 18, 2014 1:29 am, edited 1 time in total.

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mpulsiv
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by mpulsiv

Causidicus wrote:I've used the Toupe Pro and in my experience it has a short shelf life. It starts sagging and being a little less than what you expected after a couple of hundred hours use.


Every Toupe sags irrelevant of rail type and padding. Specialized dealer discouraged me to invest into a saddle with carbon rail. The shell is too thin and it will flex with as little as 50kg of down force. Generally speaking flex is good thing but to a certain extent. I have retired my 2013 Toupe Expert 143 mm after countless of hours in it. I have switched to Romin Evo Expert (level 2 padding) 155mm. I find this saddle much more comfortable.
Racing is a three-dimensional high-speed chess game, involving hundreds of pieces on the board.

:arrow: CBA = Chronic Bike Addiction
:arrow: OCD = Obsessive Cycling Disorder

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BRM
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by BRM

Causidicus wrote:2012


BRM wrote:Thank you for the responses. But have in mind: The question is about the 2014 models.
All other info about former years, which are different saddles, is pretty obsolete and only confusing.



The question is about the 2014 models

Means when you have something to say about a 2014 model I'm happy to hear.
When you have information about former Toupe's or other models, its useless.
WHY?
Former years models, are different saddles with different properties therefore it is pretty obsolete and only confusing to bring them into the Toupe 2014 models discussion.

2014 - 2014 - 2014 - 2014 - 2014 - 2014 - 2014 - 2014 - 2014 - 2014 - 2014 - 2014

by Weenie


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