Ahoy there, currently running a Specialized Toupe 143 Ti on my XC race hardtail and am feeling abused.

Have my eye on a Selle Italia XC Flow which would seem to do the business, but wondered if there are any other recommendations out there?

Not looking for complete weight weenie, but not after a Brooks saddle either 🙂

Ta
M

why not make use of saddle loan system selle italia, fizik and specialised offer and see which suits you bestg before you part with your cash?

Sounds good and never heard of the loan system? How do I go about that then?

Find a dealer, give deposit, take away garish coloured saddle, test until you are done.

Fizik Arione and original Flite Ti suit my pert rear equally. I also have an Aliante which I’ve donated to Son1 who is less pert.

I think that WTB also have a saddle trial/loaner program, they’re yellow I believe.

I like Fizik Tundra and Selle San Marco Zoncolan.

I always liked Toupes but found them a bit fragile for MTB. The Phenom is good, but marginally heavier, happy with my current Bontrager Evoke RXL Carbon. Comparable weight to a Toupe too.

Charge Knife works well for me, I’m pretty narrow and find most saddles a bit wide at the back. Knife isn’t the lightest but it’s great value and, provided it fits, comfy.

Bontrager have a 30 day unconditional guarantee to try out too. From their website:

Ride it and love it. If not, we’ll take it back.

It’s that simple.

If for any reason you’re not satisfied with your Bontrager products, return the item – along with the original sales receipt – to the place of purchase within 30 days of purchase date for exchange or store credit.

Saddles are very personal and most would suggest a wide, padded saddle to be most comfortable as it spreads the load, reducing pressure. My opinion on this would be to find the shape that fits you best first and foremost, regardless of padding or cutouts. Padding is a poor compensation for a poorly fitting shape. Similar to Northwond I have not got on with some of these wider saddles and actually prefer something narrower to not dig in or create pressure points around the edges. Hard to describe!

My LBS also had a loan / trial scheme on their Prologo saddles, I tried one over a weekend (Vertigo Max) it was lovely and I now have two..