Specialized Toupe vs Romin? (for mtb)

[SeaBee]

Hey guys, what's the diffs between the two saddles - Toupe and Romin? I suspect the Toupe is more aimed for road use and Romin for mtb?

 

Also, has the toupe been changed? I got a test saddle just to confirm width and it looks a lot higher in profile and "curvey" than one I borrowed a couple of years ago.

 

Looking to replace my mtb saddle.

[andretraut]

You are correct, the Toupe is intended for road use, and the Romin and Phenom are mtb saddles. I tried a Toupe on a mtb before, and it did not work for me, although I love my Toupe on my road bike. Get the Romin for your mtb, but also consider the Phenom, which is a bit heavier but very comfy.

[Wyatt Earp]

The Romin is not an MTB saddle it's a road saddle.

The Toupee is a road saddle as well.

I did my one Epic with a Toupee saddle.

The thing with saddles is that they are a very personal choice.

Specialized saddles are designed that your sitbones only make contact ,and that you have maximum blood flow everywhere else.

The Romin was designed by Doctor Roger Minkow, his idea around this saddle was that your sit bones made contact over the same spread and force regardless of you sitting up right or lying low on the bike.

This is by far my first choice of saddle for all types of riding, road and off road.

The MTB. specific saddle is the Phenom.

[SeaBee]

I've heard of the Phenom. I see Spez still put it on their mtb's. But even if I search their site I find no product-specific info. Therefore I though it's discontinued or something - and therefore did not mention it as an option.

 

I could feel that "sitbone" thing. First thoughts was man, thing thing "cathes" me... and a bit later it all felt good. Then realised it was pressure bang on the sitbones, and (heavenly!) nowhere else! So the measurement was spot-on for width, I now just have to decide which model.

 

Dangle, when you say this is your first choice of saddle - are you talking of the Romin?

Edited January 16, 2012 by SeaBee

[Wyatt Earp]

Hi SeaBee

Yes, the Romin.

I was using a Toupee for MTB as I had one on the road bike.

I loved that saddle.

I was standing at the product launch in Utah next to a stationery trainer that had the Romin on for the first time.

Dr. Minkow explained his reasoning behind it.

I hopped on to the bike and have only had Romin saddles ever since.

If you say the sit bones is heavenly, I think you would love the Romin.

[BodyBikeFit]

Dangle is right Romin is NOT a MTB specific saddle, but a road saddle. Also one of the reasons the Romin was designed is for people with Kyphosis - if you have an acute curvature at your lumbral spine, people with kyphosis will have difficulty going into an aggressive position on the bike because of your "soft tissue" getting in the way. Therefore it has a more acute upwards curve at the back of the saddle so it allows you to tilt your pelvis more by shifting back/ up on the saddle.

[Hairy]

Hi SeaBee

Yes, the Romin.

I was using a Toupee for MTB as I had one on the road bike.

I loved that saddle.

I was standing at the product launch in Utah next to a stationery trainer that had the Romin on for the first time.

Dr. Minkow explained his reasoning behind it.

I hopped on to the bike and have only had Romin saddles ever since.

If you say the sit bones is heavenly, I think you would love the Romin.

 

Tried this saddle ... seriously comfy, but was just out of my price range for saddles then.

[Kranswurm]

I found the Phenom to be very comfortable.

Problem was they kept breaking on the rails.second time was half way thru the Hell and Back.

Gave up then and changed to Fizik

Maybe I am just too heavy for that saddle

[Li Mu Bai]

Recently change to the Romin on my Road bike after using SDG for years, very nice indeed.

[SeaBee]

Could manage to lay my hands on a Phenom to take for a test ride or two... the adventure continues.

[Bike Mob]

I have a toupe on my road bike and a Romin on my MTB. I also have a romin on my TT bike but I cannot get comfortable with it and will try a toupe on the TT bike. I used the Toupe on my Venge in TT mode and had no issues.

[SeaBee]

Took that Phenom out for a spin after work yesterday. Not a long ride, but some climbing, some single-track... felt bloody good. Which means, I basically didn't feel it! Felt a bit nose-down and adjusted the angle after the ride. Will take it for a decent ride on Sunday before jumping in...

 

But on this topic: the one I'm riding has very little padding. There is a gel version I felt in a shop, which is very soft. I know for road I prefer a hard saddle, but what is best for mtb'ing? Gut feel will tell me to stick to a harder saddle, but does this remain true for mtb, esp on longer rides?

[Hairy]

Took that Phenom out for a spin after work yesterday. Not a long ride, but some climbing, some single-track... felt bloody good. Which means, I basically didn't feel it! Felt a bit nose-down and adjusted the angle after the ride. Will take it for a decent ride on Sunday before jumping in...

 

But on this topic: the one I'm riding has very little padding. There is a gel version I felt in a shop, which is very soft. I know for road I prefer a hard saddle, but what is best for mtb'ing? Gut feel will tell me to stick to a harder saddle, but does this remain true for mtb, esp on longer rides?

 

I personally prefer a firmer saddle on a bike