Ruby vs Toupe?

[Juiceflight]

I initially tried the Ruby in a 143 because it's a women's saddle and the LBS pushed me in that direction. The chafing and saddle sores about killed me. Supposedly my sitbone measurement put me on a 143. I decided to try a Toupe 130 because either a Ruby 130 wasn't in stock or it's not manufactured in that width - i don't remember. Anyhow, I like the Toupe better because it is a very flat saddle. 130 is as narrow as i can go, but 143 was certainly too wide despite their measurements. I think the measurements are subjective, especially when you spend a lot of time in the drops. I don't get the chafing with the toupe that I was getting with the Ruby. I put a Specialized Phenom on my CX bike. It has a slightly longer nose and is slightly more cushioned, but otherwise very similar. It is my favorite saddle; even better than the Toupe. Hope that helps.

[vness]

I initially tried the Ruby in a 143 because it's a women's saddle and the LBS pushed me in that direction. The chafing and saddle sores about killed me. Supposedly my sitbone measurement put me on a 143. I decided to try a Toupe 130 because either a Ruby 130 wasn't in stock or it's not manufactured in that width - i don't remember. Anyhow, I like the Toupe better because it is a very flat saddle. 130 is as narrow as i can go, but 143 was certainly too wide despite their measurements. I think the measurements are subjective, especially when you spend a lot of time in the drops. I don't get the chafing with the toupe that I was getting with the Ruby. I put a Specialized Phenom on my CX bike. It has a slightly longer nose and is slightly more cushioned, but otherwise very similar. It is my favorite saddle; even better than the Toupe. Hope that helps.

This was me, exactly (sitbones measured right at 120) The 143 just didn't work for me, but the 155 Ruby is like heaven. HEAVEN! I have never tried a Toupe, so I am no help in that department. Good luck!

Thank you both for sharing your experience. It's interesting to me (and frustrating too LOL) to see the solution at both ends of the size spectrum! Fit is obviously a lot more subjective that just sitbone width. I do think a 143mm just doesn't fit me - have tried too many.

But which way to go? Hmmm...

Take a look at the new saddle from Specialized, the romin. It is alot like the ruby but with extended cutout made for people who spend more time in the drops and triathlons. The initial word is it rocks. There are a couple of 143's on ebay and it's cheaper than the toupe and ruby.

Thank you Kermit... this saddle does look really interesting. Now if only I knew which width to try!!

She's not "right" yet to post a pic LOL but maybe I'll break down and send you one :) though I still don't know how to upload photos from my computer. One friend says she reminds him of Good n Plenty candy... yum!

Thanks again to all of you for the input. I'll keep you posted :)

namaste,
vness

[vness]

I initially tried the Ruby in a 143 because it's a women's saddle and the LBS pushed me in that direction. The chafing and saddle sores about killed me. Supposedly my sitbone measurement put me on a 143. I decided to try a Toupe 130 because either a Ruby 130 wasn't in stock or it's not manufactured in that width - i don't remember. Anyhow, I like the Toupe better because it is a very flat saddle. 130 is as narrow as i can go, but 143 was certainly too wide despite their measurements. I think the measurements are subjective, especially when you spend a lot of time in the drops. I don't get the chafing with the toupe that I was getting with the Ruby. I put a Specialized Phenom on my CX bike. It has a slightly longer nose and is slightly more cushioned, but otherwise very similar. It is my favorite saddle; even better than the Toupe. Hope that helps.

I figure I should ask more questions, if you don't mind :)

Do you know what your sitbone measurement is? Do you tend to ride on them or do you pivot through (like me) and ride more on the front? Though I definitely feel my sitbones on my saddle, there's just more of 'me' making contact than just them. When I measured mine at home, it was about 117 and when I went to my LBS the other day and sat a bunch of times (again) on the butt-o-meter (what a name!) I was getting different readings that put me either on the very end of a 130 or on the 143. That said, I'm still not sure if a 155 is the answer LOL but I figure I'd know pretty quickly if a 130 was too small.

Unfortunately, LBS is carrying last year's Toupe (at the same price as the 2010 model which has been improved - the one my friend just got from Specialized is a beauty) The owner wasn't around for me to ask if he had a 130 laying around that I could just try. The place is not particularly 'female' cyclist friendly. They have very little in women's performance saddles - mostly just carry large, squishy ones... sigh. I'm not really sure how 'friendly' he's going to be towards me as I spent some time a while back and ended up buying nothing. When I asked why he had no Ruby's or even Jett's, he said "they just send me what they have" - he obviously just hadn't asked for any.

Does anyone use the Phenom on a road bike?

Thanks for any info you can offer. I rode about 50 miles yesterday and have 2 'eggs' on either side of me - ouch!

namaste,
vness

[nscrbug]

I figure I should ask more questions, if you don't mind

Do you know what your sitbone measurement is? Do you tend to ride on them or do you pivot through (like me) and ride more on the front? Though I definitely feel my sitbones on my saddle, there's just more of 'me' making contact than just them. When I measured mine at home, it was about 117 and when I went to my LBS the other day and sat a bunch of times (again) on the butt-o-meter (what a name!) I was getting different readings that put me either on the very end of a 130 or on the 143. That said, I'm still not sure if a 155 is the answer LOL but I figure I'd know pretty quickly if a 130 was too small.

Unfortunately, LBS is carrying last year's Toupe (at the same price as the 2010 model which has been improved - the one my friend just got from Specialized is a beauty) The owner wasn't around for me to ask if he had a 130 laying around that I could just try. The place is not particularly 'female' cyclist friendly. They have very little in women's performance saddles - mostly just carry large, squishy ones... sigh. I'm not really sure how 'friendly' he's going to be towards me as I spent some time a while back and ended up buying nothing. When I asked why he had no Ruby's or even Jett's, he said "they just send me what they have" - he obviously just hadn't asked for any.

Does anyone use the Phenom on a road bike?

Thanks for any info you can offer. I rode about 50 miles yesterday and have 2 'eggs' on either side of me - ouch!

namaste,
vness

Me, me, me!!! Bought my new Cervelo Carbon Soloist last May, and knew immediately that the stock saddle on it (a San Marco something-or-another) would have to go. The LBS that I bought the bike from, carried the much-talked about Cobb saddles that I had heard rave reviews on the triathlon forums that I frequented. I decided to give the Cobb V-Flow Plus a try...boy, was that a big mistake! 300 miserable miles later, and I was begging my hubby to take that torture device off of my bike and put on my old, Terry Tri-Gel until I could find something more suitable.

This fall, I went to a local Specialized dealer looking for a Jett or Ruby...my dealer had neither one in stock and actually stated that he probably would no longer be carrying the Jett. I noticed an interesting looking saddle in the display case, and asked to take a closer look. It was the Phenom...which I ended up buying. The owner of the LBS raved about this saddle...said it was the very saddle that he, himself, used on his road bike. He said he liked it much better than the Toupe...and said many of his customers echoed the same feelings. I figured I didn't have much to lose, since he offered me the opportunity to return it and try any other Specialized saddle if I didn't like it. I've been riding it ever since and it's been working fairly well for me. IMO, it is a very minimalist saddle...firm, not much padding, and it flexes in the sitbone area, so it "moves" with the rider. I haven't yet decided if I'll keep this saddle on my bike for the upcoming season or not...as I got a Selle Italia Prolink Light Gel Flow for Christmas, so will probably give that a trial run to see how it compares to the Phenom.

Linda

[vness]

Me, me, me!!! Bought my new Cervelo Carbon Soloist last May, and knew immediately that the stock saddle on it (a San Marco something-or-another) would have to go. The LBS that I bought the bike from, carried the much-talked about Cobb saddles that I had heard rave reviews on the triathlon forums that I frequented. I decided to give the Cobb V-Flow Plus a try...boy, was that a big mistake! 300 miserable miles later, and I was begging my hubby to take that torture device off of my bike and put on my old, Terry Tri-Gel until I could find something more suitable.

This fall, I went to a local Specialized dealer looking for a Jett or Ruby...my dealer had neither one in stock and actually stated that he probably would no longer be carrying the Jett. I noticed an interesting looking saddle in the display case, and asked to take a closer look. It was the Phenom...which I ended up buying. The owner of the LBS raved about this saddle...said it was the very saddle that he, himself, used on his road bike. He said he liked it much better than the Toupe...and said many of his customers echoed the same feelings. I figured I didn't have much to lose, since he offered me the opportunity to return it and try any other Specialized saddle if I didn't like it. I've been riding it ever since and it's been working fairly well for me. IMO, it is a very minimalist saddle...firm, not much padding, and it flexes in the sitbone area, so it "moves" with the rider. I haven't yet decided if I'll keep this saddle on my bike for the upcoming season or not...as I got a Selle Italia Prolink Light Gel Flow for Christmas, so will probably give that a trial run to see how it compares to the Phenom.

Linda

Hi Linda...thanks for replying. Which Phenom did you get? There are so many variations - the nose looks much more pronounced in some than in others. The SL is the lightest and looks best, I think. What size do you ride? What are your sitbones and riding style? I hope I'm not asking too many questions... I'm trying to get a feel for which way to go. I'm just not ready to give up on Specialized yet LOL need to try a 130 first, though I'm not sure about that Butt-o-meter thingy

thanks again
namaste,
vness

[nscrbug]

Hi Linda...thanks for replying. Which Phenom did you get? There are so many variations - the nose looks much more pronounced in some than in others. The SL is the lightest and looks best, I think. What size do you ride? What are your sitbones and riding style? I hope I'm not asking too many questions... I'm trying to get a feel for which way to go. I'm just not ready to give up on Specialized yet LOL need to try a 130 first, though I'm not sure about that Butt-o-meter thingy

thanks again
namaste,
vness

I have just the regular, basic Phenom saddle. But I've been lusting over the Phenom Team version...in black, that baby would match my bike perfectly. Although, that Romin saddle has now caught my attention, as well. I like the "split" design of it...something I was contemplating on testing out with the SI SLK Lady Gel Flow. My Phenom is the 143 size. Did the whole butt-o-meter thing at the dealer, and that is the size I was told to go with. I also did the Bontrager version of the butt-o-meter, and was basically told the same thing...that I fell "in the middle" sizing category. The Selle Italia Prolink Gel Flow that I got for Christmas is a 144, so only a negligible difference. My riding style...hmmm, that one is hard to pinpoint. I'm kind of "all over the place" with my riding style...LOL I have some clipon aerobars on my bike, so I can vary my positions more. I would say I spend about 3/4 of the time upright...and the rest in either aero or drops. Hope that helps!

Linda

[kermit]

Take a look at Neuvation saddles, like the S10. I was thinking about one for my mountain bike, you can't beat the price.

[vness]

Take a look at Neuvation saddles, like the S10. I was thinking about one for my mountain bike, you can't beat the price.

hi Kermit... thanks for the tip. They do look interesting. I need to check their return policy.

Well I got murdered yesterday afternoon by my saddle so I put John's SI Prolink without a cutout on for the morning. It was better at first but the last 10 miles were hell. Mind you, I'm so badly chafed and swollen I doubt anything would feel good... and no cutout... oh my... felt like there was a 'bump' in the saddle when I first got on it LOL

LBS was less than helpful. Said if I could find something on the floor, I could try it.. well, I actually found a 130 Jett. I just want to see if a 130's too narrow before buying one, as I know I'd be able to tell pretty quickly!!!! But some moron tells me "Oh, that's a new saddle too. Just because it's loose, it only means it's been taken off a bike". Well that damn Jett was at least 2 years old! You can tell by the style as they've changed them so much. Plus the saddle didn't even 'look' nice and new. It looked exactly like what it was... an old saddle that was laying around. I did see a Phenom which looked interesting but they didn't have the Romin to look at. Someone did mention that Specialized saddles had hard edges which can chafe, so that could be the problem considering my anatomy :)

I may look at Terry since I know they have a 30 day return policy. And will also look more at the SI saddles. And that Neuvation... uh oh I just saw that the back of the saddle has their name in RED... doesn't match my good n' plenty girl! LOL

in the meantime, I hurt!!!! wish I were tall enough to climb on someone's bike :)

Thanks again
namaste,
vness

[vness]

I have just the regular, basic Phenom saddle. But I've been lusting over the Phenom Team version...in black, that baby would match my bike perfectly. :D Although, that Romin saddle has now caught my attention, as well. I like the "split" design of it...something I was contemplating on testing out with the SI SLK Lady Gel Flow. My Phenom is the 143 size. Did the whole butt-o-meter thing at the dealer, and that is the size I was told to go with. I also did the Bontrager version of the butt-o-meter, and was basically told the same thing...that I fell "in the middle" sizing category. The Selle Italia Prolink Gel Flow that I got for Christmas is a 144, so only a negligible difference. My riding style...hmmm, that one is hard to pinpoint. I'm kind of "all over the place" with my riding style...LOL I have some clipon aerobars on my bike, so I can vary my positions more. I would say I spend about 3/4 of the time upright...and the rest in either aero or drops. Hope that helps!

Linda

Hi Linda.. thank you so much for the info. Seems I was falling for the 'visual difference' I saw online.... doubt there's as much of a difference as I thought. I did see a regular Phenom and an SL yesterday... identical looking!

LBS was less than helpful, as usual. Didn't have anything I could 'try'. I'm honestly not all that sure about a 130, which is why I didn't want to just buy one. I suspect I'd know pretty quickly if it's too small LOL

I like the Romin as well... wish I could see one for real as I do worry about the edges of the channel. They look pretty sharp and I've been bitten before. Haven't seen any reviews by women either, though it's all so subjective. I did read that one should consider ordering the next size up than usual but again, I'm sure it's individual

sigh... saddle hell... too, too familiar!

did you ever try that SI SLK Lady Gel Flow? how did you like the Prolink Gel Flow?

thanks again
namaste,
vness

[OakLeaf]

FWIW... I think I know who your LBS is, and I'm not impressed with them either, but the next nearest Specialized dealer, Orange Cycle in Orlando, is huge and well-stocked and known for catering to women, and they still don't stock a large selection of the higher-end saddles. No one really sells enough of any one model to justify a large stock. But it might be worth calling them to see what they do have, if you have a trip planned to the "big city" any time soon.

[nscrbug]

Hi Linda.. thank you so much for the info. Seems I was falling for the 'visual difference' I saw online.... doubt there's as much of a difference as I thought. I did see a regular Phenom and an SL yesterday... identical looking!

LBS was less than helpful, as usual. Didn't have anything I could 'try'. I'm honestly not all that sure about a 130, which is why I didn't want to just buy one. I suspect I'd know pretty quickly if it's too small LOL

I like the Romin as well... wish I could see one for real as I do worry about the edges of the channel. They look pretty sharp and I've been bitten before. Haven't seen any reviews by women either, though it's all so subjective. I did read that one should consider ordering the next size up than usual but again, I'm sure it's individual

sigh... saddle hell... too, too familiar!

did you ever try that SI SLK Lady Gel Flow? how did you like the Prolink Gel Flow?

thanks again
namaste,
vness

Have not tried the SLK Lady Gel Flow just yet. But it is on my "prospective" list, if the Prolink or Phenom don't work out. The Prolink is actually mounted on my bike now...but I haven't gotten a chance to ride it yet (too snowy/icy/cold here). I'm hoping by March, the days will start getting a bit milder. If I recall from last year, my first ride was on March 30th...so hoping to get out sooner this year. Although, I may just have my hubby throw my bike on the trainer this weekend so I can get a feel for it now.