Specialized Toupe Comp Gel saddle

Specialized's Toupe Comp Gel is a very comfortable saddle that allows you to move around yet still gives support for an aggressive position. The extra gel does add a bit of weight, though, and there are cheaper alternatives.

• Pros: Very comfortable, well made and durable
• Cons: There are some very good cheaper alternatives

I'll start off by saying that I've been using Specialized's Romin and Toupe saddles on my various bikes for around six years now. The shape has always worked for me and they've survived a lot of abuse. I tried the saddles on Specialized's test scheme, which wasn't that common back then. Now, many brands are offering some kind of test period on their products.

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Currently, I've got the 2017 version on my cyclo-cross bike and this new version has been given both aesthetic and technical updates.

The central channel has been extended to the very end of the nose which is meant to improve comfort; for me, the only time I'm on the nose of the saddle is when I'm chasing a wheel, so any discomfort is masked by screaming legs.

As Specialized has gone for a full cutout, I'm not surprised to see it using carbon fibre to reinforce the base. You can lose a lot of stiffness, creating a soft saddle that can sag over time. The Toupe feels solid, which is a good sign for its lifespan.

What hasn't changed is the ability to move around a little on the saddle. Where the Romin fixes you in one position, I find that the Toupe allows me to shift back, ideal for weight balance in tight corners on the CX course. On longer road rides, this is also great for staying comfortable and I've found the new Toupe to be capable on the longest rides that I do, around 5 hours.

The Micromatrix cover has stood up well to the abuse of CX remounts and two pretty decent crashes. It cleans up well and looks quite smart on the bike. The older version developed a little spot on the nose where the cover started to peel from the base, but that has taken many miles to occur and this latest edition doesn't seem to be suffering the same rub.

In terms of padding level, Specialized ranks this as level 2. That gives you a medium density foam with gel for additional cushioning. For a road saddle, this leans towards the more padded end but it's not one that you'll sink into. Having the gel padding will either work for you or it won't. Personally, it's a welcome addition for me when I'm riding on poor roads or the rougher surface of CX. But if you like a hard saddle, this won't be for you.

Around the rest of the saddle, the construction is good. The glue and screws used to fix everything into place all seems solid and I've detected no creaks from the saddle.

The hollow chromoly rails keep the weight down to 242g for this 143mm wide version. That's not too bad, although you can drop it a little by going for the titanium-railed Expert (221g) or significantly by going for the carbon-railed, non-gel Toupe Pro (159g). (I have to say, I'm less worried about cyclo-cross remounts on this than I would be on a carbon-railed saddle.)

I've had absolutely no issues or feelings of discomfort while using this saddle for two months now. For me, it's a very comfortable option, and it's not hugely expensive. Okay, at £80 it's maybe a little too much, but I'd say you'd be spending your money well. It handles the rough treatment of cyclo-cross racing while also being perfectly at home on long road rides.

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If you want better value, though, there are cheaper options that are also very good and about the same weight. Fabric's Line Elite, for example, will set you back just £54.99, with a claimed weight of 250g, while BBB's Echelon saddle comes in at £14 less for similar construction, though it's a little heavier at 276g.

For me, I know that the Specialized shape works, so I'd be happy to spend the extra money.

Verdict

Comfortable and supportive for a range of riding positions, and durable too