WTB High Tail Seat - Review
WTB's 159 gram High Tail Carbon seat is designedly specifically for longer travel bikes, which may sound a bit odd at first, but let's hear out their thinking behind the design. The High Tail's name comes from its abbreviated rear section that sports a deep V-shaped cutout, a shape that provides clearance for the rear tire when the bike is near the end of its travel. This is also something that can be an issue for 29ers, especially now that so many riders are rocking dropper seat posts, although that buzzing sounds isn't something that the majority of riders experience. WTB refers to its shape is ''Narrow- Short'', with it measuring in a 128mm wide x 255mm long. This, combined with the somewhat firm feeling 'DNA' padding and flat top, means that it's likely best suited to behinds that have already seen plenty of miles - the High Tail probably won't be the ticket for a new rider. It comes in three flavours: chromoly rails on the 225 gram Pro, titanium rails on the 200 gram Team, and the top tier Carbon model tested below that has, you guessed it, carbon fiber rails and a matching shell. MSRP: $249.95 USD www.wtb.com @WTB-Bikes
Pinkbike’s Take:
 | The High Tail is best suited for riders who prefer a flatter-topped seat profile than something more rounded, and, despite its slim appearance, it doesn't feel small and penetrating when you're perched on top of it for hours on end. That's a pretty good thing when you're talking about seats, isn't it? I did put in a handful of four and five hour rides on the High Tail, which was enough for me to reconfirm that I'm best suited to a rounder profile, and I ended up having to angle the nose of the WTB seat down slightly more than I would have liked in an effort to keep it from applying too much pressure to places on one's body where you'd ideally avoid such things. The seat's carbon rails and shell proved to be up to the task despite making for a feathery 159 gram weight, while the Microfiber cover is tear-free to this day, and the V-shaped cutout at the rear of the seat works as advertised. It's also been creak-free, which is no small feat given the horrendously wet weather that it saw. The shape of a seat is, of course, always down to personal preference, and while I can't fault the High Tail's flat profile for not being ideal for my behind, I can take the seat to task for its very unforgiving sides. The seat's cover and padding doesn't extend completely down to the bottom edge, and the carbon shell is clearly visible all the way around. This makes for a pretty cool look, but it also made for some bruises on the inside of my thighs that I could obviously do without. Also, there were a few times when, while searching for traction on a steep or wet section of trail, I would slide back on the seat far enough that its V-shaped cutout made itself very known to my ass. Granted, it would only be for a few seconds while I struggled up whatever was in front of me, but it is something that I can say is noticeable. I'd like to see WTB do something about its unforgiving sides before I could really recommend it, but those who prefer flatter seat shapes, or riders who find that their tire is buzzing the seat when their post is dropped (especially shorter riders who are more prone to this), might feel right at home with the High Tail on their bike. Regardless, I'd suggest giving it a test sit before laying out any cash - Mike Levy |
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Member since Oct 18, 2005
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www.fizik.it/saddles/mtb-saddles/thar-kium-2015
How about a replacement for my Big Earl?
How about a bike that doesn't eat half your ass as it eats a bump!
Does that clear up your confusion?
Says it right in how to be a mountain biker
I thought of buying WTB Volt with Ti rails, I had it on shopping list on CRC, but went for Cro-Mo. Same happened to me lately with bars, I was super pumped to get carbon ones ever since I got carbon frame. Bought alu. Do I regret it? No. Not at all. If a second hand deal would come along, then yea, I'd take a hit at the jewelry, like I did with Syntace stem with Ti bolts (already sold with Holzfeller in place...). There is simply no point. We behave like teenage girls at accessories stand at H&M, just because carbon saddle or bars don't cost as much as a carbon frame does not mean they are something to get away with. There's a price to pay, shit that you will have sitting in the bad of your head - like I never card much about my alu frame, when I was putting it on rails of the bike rack on my car - now with carbon I am super cautious. Ride well and you'll get them things for free
Not all seats are built the same either....
Are you talking about going up or down a hill? I dont really understand. Going down - stand up. Going up - sit on the front of the saddle?
Cheers
Carbon or no carbon
The two things i look for in a seat are comfort and that it doesn't start creaking after a few months. All my seats seem to start creaking and it drives me nuts.
"WTB's 159 gram High Tail Carbon seat is designedly specifically for longer travel bikes"
Seriously. Try reading the article sometime.