After releasing a wealth of new tires for mountain biking and gravel riding, WTB’s introduced what could arguably be the first “650B” mountain bike saddle.
Shown on the left, the design is intended to offer better clearance off the rear tire when long travel bikes have blown through their travel. With the larger diameter of 27.5″ tires over 26″, tires hitting the saddle were apparently limiting frame design:
Pivot founder Chris Cocalis: “It quickly became apparent that we weren’t going to be able to use the geometry we wanted to use with a conventional saddle on our upcoming 27.5″ carbon downhill bike. We wanted to maintain the same travel, chainstay length and rider positioning as on our current 26″ Phoenix DH bike and this presented an overall clearance challenge with current seat and rail profiles. Something had to give, so we contacted WTB with the idea of a saddle to accommodate the rising popularity of the 27.5″ full suspension market.”
Updated: Check out the actual prototype saddle after the break!
In addition to the new shape of the saddle to allow for better tire clearance, the High Tail also represents a new method of attaching the foam to the base for WTB.
While the High Tail is obviously aimed at the downhill and aggressive enduro/trail crowd, the range topper is an XC-weight carbon version ($249.95). A Titanium–railed Team level and and Cromoly Pro option will retail for $159.95 and $119.95, respectively. Expect those to hit stores in September. Dimensions are 128mm x 255mm.
The other two are the new carbon railed version of the Volt (top, right) and Rocket V (bottom). Both will retail for $249.95. Both lines will also get more width options across multiple price points, adding to the original 135mm x 255mm sizes. From the PR:
“We’re excited for elite level carbon options as well as additional width availability for the Volt and Rocket V saddles,” stated WTB’s Director of Sales, Gary Gleason. “They are incredibly popular sellers for us, it’s empowering from a sales side to know that the Volt and Rocket will broaden their reach through expanded fit, sizing, and price points.”
Rocket V and Volt Carbon saddles, along with 142 and 150 widths, are expected to become available starting in September as well. Rocket V and Volt pricing will follow WTB’s traditional saddle price structure, with satin steel-railed Comp saddles starting at $39.95 USD, followed by $59.95 Cromoly-railed Race saddles, $89.95 Pro options utilizing DNA padding, and $129.95 Team saddles featuring Titanium rails.
