First Look & Ride: WTB's New Saddle Lineup

Jun 21, 2023
by Dario DiGiulio  
MERTHYR TYDFIL 30 MAY 2023 - Wilderness Trail Bikes New Saddle product photoshoot. The Volt TheSilverado. Merthyr Tydfil Wales.

If you've been riding mountain bikes for a while, odds are you've spent some time on a WTB at some point or another. They're commonplace on plenty of OE builds, and their neutral shape caters to plenty of behinds, making them a popular choice. That makes it a little more remarkable when they fully revamp their lineup, such as with the updated models they're announcing today.

In all these new models, WTB has integrated their new Fusion Form technology, which allows them to fine-tune the amount of fiber infused into the nylon of each specific saddle model to create a flex profile that balances comfort, support and durability to match the intended use of each individual saddle.

There are four saddles seeing updates: Silverado, Volt, Devo, and Gravelier.


Silverado
The team at WTB used pressure mapping to get a better sense of where they needed to change the profile and padding to better distribute pressure. The overall profile is a bit flatter, and the length has been reduced to 265mm to better suit a forward-leaning riding position without too much interference from the nose of the saddle.

The saddle can be purchased with steel, chromoly, titanium, or carbon rails, in Narrow (127-135mm) and Medium (142-148mm) widths.


MERTHYR TYDFIL 30 MAY 2023 - Wilderness Trail Bikes New Saddle product photoshoot. The Volt TheSilverado. Merthyr Tydfil Wales.
More info at wtb.com

I've been riding this version of the Silverado for the past year, so it's safe to say that I have some strong feelings about the perch after thousands of miles intimately spent together. I love this saddle, and it's without a doubt my current favorite of any I've had the chance to try. It made it into our recent Editors' roundup, so you can head that way to hear me froth about it a bit more.

As to the updates, I really like the one-piece upper, as I'd run into issues with the prior version coming apart at the seams after a few months of use. Part of that is just a matter of time, but I'm happy to see the possibility removed with the new iteration. I also dig the longer rails, which give you a more effective range of adjustment, enough to cater to just about any fit preference out there.

My steel chromoly-railed version has held up marvelously well, even after a few bikepacking trips with loaded saddle packs strapped to the rails.


Devo
Announced this past April at Sea Otter, the new Devo is an e-bike focused (but certainly not limited to) saddle with a short overall profile and wide nose for hard uphill efforts.

The Devo comes in a Medium width only, with Chromoly, Stainless, and Titanium rail options. It also has a funny little handle, as you'll surely notice.


photo
More info at wtb.com

The new Devo appealed to me right from the get-go, mostly due to the funny little carry hole. Once I had it on my bike however, that appeal shifted to a fondness of the design as whole. The short length feels very similar to the Specialized Power saddles, with enough to push back against, and a short nose to perch on, but little else to it.

I currently have it on my XC bike, and the tight dimensions seem to match that bike's purview well, giving a very locked-in feel when you're in the right spot over the bike. Plus, the handle helps me heft the portly 23lb. bike onto bike racks.


Volt
The look is really the only update made to the Volt, with a sleeker one-piece upper and Fusion Form lower shell. It's still the tried and true Volt that many people have come to love, just with a slightly more modern look.

For now, it's available in a Medium width, with Chromoly, Stainless, and Titanium rails.


MERTHYR TYDFIL 30 MAY 2023 - Wilderness Trail Bikes New Saddle product photoshoot. The Volt TheSilverado. Merthyr Tydfil Wales.
More info at wtb.com


photo

Pricing breaks down by rail material, MSRP is $47.95 for steel, $95.95 for chromoly, $119.95 for stainless, $142.95 for titanium and $249.95 for carbon.

Posted In:
Reviews and Tech First Looks Saddles WTB


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81 Comments
  • 60 2
 I'm gonna have to sit this one out!
  • 6 0
 what an a$$
  • 4 1
 Saddle up, boy.
  • 52 0
 Missed opportunity: The Volt could have been E-Bike specific.
  • 3 4
 Probably it doesn't have a carry hole to become e-bike specific, like devo
  • 51 0
 Could have called it the Sacky Chan. Disappointing.
  • 39 3
 Adam Saddler
  • 7 2
 Nice post
  • 13 1
 @rrolly:

Meh...he's just a name dropper.
  • 8 2
 @thomasjkenney1024: WTB doesn't make a dropper ... I guess they didn't wtb saddled with that responsibility.
  • 32 0
 Tainted love.
  • 3 0
 I've got to get away from the pain you drive into the heart of me.
  • 2 0
 **immediately plays song**
  • 3 0
 Saddle down now with your love for taint
  • 20 0
 Didn't expect to see 4 saddles in a puddle this early in the day.
  • 9 0
 I’ve got wide sit bones (normally sticking to 155mm saddles) and that feels like a market WTB is universally ignoring (none of these are available past “medium”/~142mm). Maybe most folks just power through the pain and never change saddle if they need to and thus the market data doesn’t support it?
  • 5 0
 One WTB saddle that did no recieve an update, and is available in a wide width (150mm) is the Koda. It's been a great saddle. I even switched from chamois to just wool boxer briefs.
  • 5 0
 WTB does make wide saddles. They also make narrow saddles. I would assume they will release more width options soon.
  • 4 0
 Try SQLabs. Great saddles for my wider sit bones.
  • 2 0
 i second the koda. most comfortable saddle i've ever been on and i have also ditched the chamois in favor of my everyday chonies. and they make a wide. i went with the race version since it comes with a "gel" padding. it's soft without being too soft.
  • 2 0
 @rrolly: I run an SQlab saddle on one bike (15cm) and a 155mm Specialized Power saddle on the other, have loved them both.
  • 6 0
 Not true. I have two Volt saddles at 150mm.
  • 2 0
 @JonnyTheWeasel: I’m right with you. Have the wide volts on all my bikes. I hope that’s still an option going forward.
  • 1 0
 Specialized Phenom Comp comes in a 155mm width. I have 157mm wide sit bones and it still feels great! I'd go that route or one of thr SQ lab ones. WTB has never worked for me... seems like I'm always pulling one of those off a new bike ha.
  • 3 0
 I think the problem is that even WTB's wider saddles at 150mm are still too rounded and don't provide the support nor the cutout necessary to relieve pressure from the parts. One of the perks I've noticed to wider saddles is that you can cut down on paddling. My Phenom 160 is hard as a rock but still very comfortable. Even the plush narrow WTBs I've ridden have hurt instantly.
  • 1 0
 Correct. I’ve not bought a saddle since the 1990s and just use whatever comes with the bike, be it a new bike or second hand. I’ve had an uncomfortable nukeproof saddle under my arse for the past 4 years now, I’m probably going to change that soon for a trek saddle which will also probably be uncomfortable.
  • 2 0
 @ZSchnei: missed opportunity at naming it the Choda (Czoda for our Slavic friends).
  • 1 0
 @sonuvagun: Wow, huuuuuge miss.
  • 6 0
 Would love some info about the mounts on the underside of the Volt. Seems to be for some kind of tool-system, but cant figure out what product that acctually fits there..

Edit: End of this vid: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SNn3zTsPnM
  • 2 0
 tail lights should be installed there. a sleek and elegant way of montage.
  • 2 0
 @Kptzbik: Yeah, I don't want to scratch my dropper by putting a light on it. I couldn't find any lights that fit under the saddle*, so if this becomes a thing then it'd be great

* apart from Bikeballs which people stare at for some reason Smile
  • 1 0
 I had the same thought, and discovered if you click on one of the photos, you'll see it's part of a gallery, which include other photos like www.pinkbike.com/photo/25007420
  • 7 0
 A handle on a seat is like wheels on a hockey bag: if you need it, maybe you shouldn't be playing.
  • 3 0
 I feel personally attacked by this comment.
  • 1 0
 @silverstanktions: tells us a lot about you
  • 8 1
 Nothing on the Gravelier?
  • 15 0
 Levy is reviewing this on pinkgravel.com
  • 7 2
 Why do we call them saddles when we're saying seat posts? I'd say let's start calling them seats. We're not riding horses!
  • 16 0
 I say neigh.
  • 9 1
 Seats are for tractors and Ebikes. Saddles are for steeds.
  • 1 1
 A seat = something you sit on/takes all your weight. A saddle = something you sit on to support your weight with the rest of it supported by other things (pedals, bars). Should call them saddle posts if anything!
  • 3 1
 Original Devo is still the saddle I run. Ti railed Deva is the same (shell and padding) and I’ll switch to those when the saddle stockpile is used up.

Everyone’s butt is a little different, but short, flat and moderate width works really well for me on the MTB.
  • 2 0
 The Volt just works. Good to see a silverado update. Ihave one (not sure why) just laying around so put it on the bike and the front was like a pant hook. Brutal! Not even sure why it exists. WTB, look into some leather options for the fashionable!!
  • 3 0
 Silverado is probably the most uncomfortable seat I've ever used........but other people's fave saddle! Gotta try before you buy, which is why companies should offer such option.
  • 1 0
 There was a large number of mentions by PB users in a recent post about the WTB Speed, surprised it wasn't included on the list of saddles being upgraded by WTB?? It's still on my radar, the only thing holding me back is FUNDS...........
  • 1 0
 Don't count out the wtb koda. The Silverado has never really worked for me, it's not uncomfortable but definitely has pressure points that cause numbness. The volt was better because of the tail flare up but still not perfect. I tried a wtb Koda with steel rails on my commuter because it was cheap (sub 45 bucks) and ive since swapped all of my bikes over to it. I have one expensive version and all the rest are the steel rail version. TBH, I think the steel rail version may be the most comfortable. Anyway, check it out, great mix of relief channel, tail flare, short'ish nose with decent width.
  • 4 0
 That Devo handle is just what we need for the Superman seat grabs on the E bike
  • 6 1
 Volt for me.
  • 24 0
 Volt for Pedro
  • 2 0
 I prefer the kevlar edges and the seams have always (ok, mostly) held up for me.
These new soft edges are just going to get torn up, which is worse than seams for me.
  • 1 0
 I'm the other way inclined - I run WTB saddles on all my bikes and inevitably the seam fails first. Stoked to see an option without it - thats always been my biggest niggle with them.
  • 1 0
 @mrtoodles: same complaint about the old design here, I’ve had zero issues with the new finish material over the past year
  • 2 0
 Well I hope that they did something about the noises comming out of those seats...
  • 3 0
 Bring back the kevlar-edged SST-X
  • 2 0
 I need more SST saddles! They've un-discontinued them once, let's see it happen again!
  • 1 0
 Ok - let me get this straight, the "Devo" is E-bike specific and not the "Volt" and it's designed for "hard uphill efforts".....WTF!?
  • 1 0
 But can I put the rails back in easily by myself? This is a more reasonable request than internal headset routing, I dare say.
  • 1 0
 I love the WTB Rocket 150mm for my relatively wide sit bones but every one of them I've had falls apart after about 12 months.
  • 2 0
 As long as they continue to make the Silverado, I'm a happy man.
  • 2 1
 Just had to do away with the hightail?? Now im left scouring the internet looking for the only saddle i like..
  • 1 0
 Bring back the Vulcan. I do not like the rear up-sweep on all the new ones.
  • 2 0
 Where's the "tuck friendly" saddle?
  • 1 0
 I ride the Koda. Back fits like a Volt, but it's shorter and doesn't get caught on my shorts.
  • 2 0
 One for poopin, one for scoopin.
  • 2 0
 Since when is a 23 lb mtb (even among XC) considered "portly?"
  • 2 0
 Wountain Bike
  • 4 3
 do people really buy carbon saddles??
  • 1 0
 yes
  • 2 1
 The $250 carbon version leaves you ass out.
  • 2 0
 Mud Hole
  • 1 0
 The Volt used to creak like a mother f
  • 2 0
 Grease them rails
  • 1 0
 BRING BACK THE HIGHTAIL!!!!
  • 1 0
 I’d love a comparison to the WTB Koda. That’s my go to saddle.
  • 1 0
 The Silverado is a great saddle for gravel too.
  • 1 0
 The pickup handle will cause issues for those with dropper posts right?
  • 1 0
 “The volt is good …on the hole.”
  • 1 0
 Only hot girls, as well as me write to me ➤ u.to/mWPGHw
  • 2 2
 The goochy Chong
  • 1 2
 Gooch and Chong
  • 1 2
 Dario is saddle-addled.







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