Bike Noob

Because I'm Always Learning Something New

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Partners

One Year Later: The WTB Saddle

05.12.2011 by Ray Niekamp // 7 Comments

One year ago, I reported that I had put a new saddle on my bike. After less-than-stellar experiences with hard racing-style saddles, I decided to go a different direction, and get something that offered more cushioning. I settled on the WTB Speed V.

It’s time for an update.

After riding the saddle for a year, I can report that it has done what I expected. The added cushioning  makes for a more comfortable saddle (for me, anyway — I know that saddles are very personal things, and what works for one person might not work for another).

I have come to a conclusion about saddles, though. I think they all start to get uncomfortable after a couple of hours. I noticed when I did the LBJ 100 ride in March that no matter what saddle people were riding, many of them stood on the pedals while coasting — often switching the foot at the bottom of the pedal stroke. They were obviously doing what I have been doing — shaking out the mild soreness that takes over after sitting in the same position for awhile.

Fair enough. Otherwise, what I like about the saddle is its wider profile. It offers the platform for my bottom that had been lacking with my earlier choices.

What are the downsides to the Speed V? Take a look at this picture from today.

I took a fall back in September, and while it didn’t do any major damage to the bike or the saddle, it did cause some cracks in the vinyl cover. Those cracks have grown in number and spread a bit since then. In addition, the vinyl is starting to pull away from the embossed “Speed V” logo on the saddle’s nose. Neither of these problems affect the saddle’s comfort at all. They just don’t look good, and I can see that I might need to replace the saddle down the road sooner rather than later if they get much worse.

I’m not able to say if the surface cracking is the cause of my recent rash of saddle sores, since I get them on both sides, and the cracking is only on the left.

But it’s also important to remember that this saddle set me back a whopping $25 last year. I believe the advertised price at Performance is now up to $28. In any case, it’s a cheap saddle, and by that, I mean inexpensive — not shoddy.

Would I buy another WTB Speed V?

It depends. My friend David was intrigued by my original review, so he went out and bought the WTB Rocket V — what WTB calls an “enthusiast” saddle rather than a “recreational” saddle like the Speed V. He likes it. I might consider going that route, although it’s narrower than the Speed V, and I don’t seem to get on with narrow saddles. WTB saddles have gotten good ink in other venues, too, like Kent Peterson’s popular blog. So if I have to replace my saddle sooner rather than later, it will probably be with another WTB.

But if this one holds together for a little longer, and I can save a few more pennies, I might consider trying a Brooks B-17.

Like this:

Like Loading…

Related

Categories // Review Tags // saddle, WTB Speed V

Comments

  1. Clive Chapman says

    May 13, 2011 at 12:43 am

    I use Brooks, have done for years, I have a Brooks on all 3 of my bikes. They are expensive, but they last a lifetime and only get better with age. Unlike us! But it is a fair wad of cash to shell out if they’re not for you.

    The other plus point is that they manufactured in my home town and I work literally around the corner from them. So if my old saddles need a fix I can take them in and they get repaired while I wait!

    I blogged about them here.
    http://www.massivemtber.co.uk/?p=119

    Reply
  2. Andrew G says

    May 13, 2011 at 1:56 am

    I was just wondering, did you try a variety of padded shorts (bib or otherwise) before trying different saddles?

    Reply
    • Bike Noob says

      May 13, 2011 at 5:56 am

      I have had several different kinds of pads, as I mentioned here: https://bikenoob.mystagingwebsite.com/2010/05/25/the-pad-makes-a-difference

      Reply
  3. RamonH says

    May 13, 2011 at 7:28 am

    +1 on the Brooks. When I do 100-milers, while most folks’ derrieres are crying “bloody murder”, I can concentrate on everything else going on, because I am not thinking about the saddle 🙂

    Reply
  4. Matt says

    May 13, 2011 at 9:39 am

    Have you looked at the Pure V? I’ve used it for a several years and like it (and it’s still in pretty good shape!). Brooks isn’t a bad option either… I have a B17 as well and think I like it but don’t have the seat time in yet to know for sure.

    Reply
  5. Daved says

    May 13, 2011 at 12:14 pm

    Has it really been a year? Still diggin’ the Rocket V. You know how much I liked my Forte ProSLX. So I figured if the Rocket V was a bust I could go back. Cyclists are hard wired to try and make their ride better and Performance has a good return policy. Zero break-in time, and it still looks new. At $60 it was a good value when you compare weight and comfort. I just get on the bike and never think about the saddle. And I got that goin’ for me, which is good.

    Reply
  6. Sine Botchen says

    May 14, 2011 at 9:34 am

    I have the same model saddle on both of my mountain bikes and I just checked them. I am happy to report that after thousands of miles both saddles show relatively little wear and tear, and certainly not the cracking you are experiencing. However, I do keep the bikes in the house so perhaps they are subjected to the kinds of temperature extremes that “shed kept” or “garage kept” bikes may be exposed to. I am seriously considering getting yet another one of these saddles for my road bike.

    Reply

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Get Email Updates

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 257 other subscribers

Categories

  • Accessories
  • Bike fit
  • Bikes
  • Blogging
  • Books
  • clubs
  • Cold weather
  • Community
  • Commuting
  • Components
  • crash
  • cycling
  • Equipment
  • Favorite rides
  • fitness
  • food
  • guest post
  • Heat
  • Injury
  • logs
  • Maintenance
  • Mental
  • Nutrition
  • Odds 'n ends
  • People
  • Poll
  • Racing
  • Records & stats
  • Review
  • Rides
  • running
  • Safety
  • soreness
  • Specialized
  • Technique
  • Technology
  • Tips
  • tires
  • training
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Partners

Recent Posts

  • Getting Back on the Bike: Road Cycling Tips for Older Cyclists
  • Are BCAAs and EAAs Good for Cycling?
  • How to Fix Numb Toes When Cycling
  • How to Find and Vet a Bike Club
  • Celebrate Pearl Izumi with Big Savings in the Memorial Day Sale

Categories

  • Accessories
  • Bike fit
  • Bikes
  • Blogging
  • Books
  • clubs
  • Cold weather
  • Community
  • Commuting
  • Components
  • crash
  • cycling
  • Equipment
  • Favorite rides
  • fitness
  • food
  • guest post
  • Heat
  • Injury
  • logs
  • Maintenance
  • Mental
  • Nutrition
  • Odds 'n ends
  • People
  • Poll
  • Racing
  • Records & stats
  • Review
  • Rides
  • running
  • Safety
  • soreness
  • Specialized
  • Technique
  • Technology
  • Tips
  • tires
  • training
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized

Archives

  • May 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • March 2022
  • October 2020
  • November 2018
  • May 2018
  • September 2017
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • January 2016
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008

Copyright © 2026 · Modern Studio Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Go to mobile version
%d