Just after riling everybody up with their new grip “standard,” WTB was on hand in Germany to show off a few more new products. Adding a third tire to their plus size lineup, the new Trail Boss 3.0 is essentially a larger Plus size version of their popular trail tire.
Read on for more about the Trail Boss 3.0, plus why the PadLoc grip system may not be such a bad idea…
Using a rounded profile, staggered side knobs, and ramped squared center knobs, the Trail Boss 3.0 could be an excellent trail tire for the Plus size market. Shown here on a Rocky Mountain Sherpa for scale, the tire will be offered in a 27.5″ x 3.0 size with a TCS Light Fast Rolling casing for an 1125g tire. Dual DNA 50/60a dual compound rubber and a TCS tubeless ready bead finish things off. Trail Boss 3.0 tires will sell for $67.95.
There were a lot of mixed opinions when WTB introduced their PadLoc grip system, and frankly we weren’t exactly sure on the absolute necessity for the system without having laid eyes (or hands) on it. As is often the case, seeing the grip system in person and actually feeling it has done a lot to change our opinion. Not necessarily because of the anti-rotation aspect, but more so because of the additional comfort provided by the lack of handlebar material at the end of the grip. Since the actual handlebar tapers inside of the grip, the end of the grip is made from a big chunk of soft rubber. For someone like myself who places a lot of pressure on the end of their grip, the additional squish provided by the PadLoc System feels really nice on the hand without resorting to a bulky ergonomic grip.
In addition to partnering with SRAM for a carbon Jerome Clementz Blackbox 750mm bar and an aluminum 780mm Boobar that are already cut to accommodate the grips, WTB has also worked with Park Tool for a specific cutting guide. Instead of creating an entirely new tool, the PadLoc cutting guide is an insert for the current SG 7.2 which allows precise cutting of the corners of the bars. If the PadLoc concept survives manufacturers will have to start adding additional markings on the end of the handlebars to facilitate cutting the ends to the same angle. We’ll check in with our impressions soon.
On the saddle side, WTB is introducing a new SL8 carbon saddle the checks in at 146 g. Along with the SL8, WTB also has a new saddle fit system that is placed on top of the saddle rather than on a bench. The thought is that if you’re trying to fit somebody to a saddle, they should be in the riding position which will change from bike to bike. Similar to other Devices, visco elastic pad leaves an imprint of the rider’s sit bones which will correspond to different WTB saddles.
