…compatible with 26in and 29in wheels too
Over in Taipei, WTB has released an all-new saddle design driven by the needs of 650b downhill bikes. Not all of them- one in particular. When prototyping their forthcoming carbon fibre 27.5in downhill bike, Pivot engineers became aware that existing saddles stood in the path of the larger tyre as it moved through its travel. Reluctant to depart from the current (26in) Phoenix DH bike’s chainstay length and rider position, Pivot reached out to WTB for a saddle that would meet their needs.
We’ve already seen a 29er-specific saddle, so why not?
The idea may not be as silly as it sounds at first blush. With larger wheels, slacker geometry, and shorter chainstay trends all coming together in cross-country through enduro segments, WTB foresee the High Tail being adopted by a wide range of riders. XC whippets and ‘only the best’ types are catered to with a $250 carbon-railed model, while titanium-railed Team and CrMo-railed Pro options will sell for $160 and $120 (all UK pricing to be confirmed).
In other WTB saddle news, the long-running (and widely-loved) Rocket V saddle also gets carbon rail options, as does the more recent Volt. Both saddles will also become available in two widths to suit different behinds: 142mm and 150mm. Both models should be available around September and range in price from $40 to $250. WTB is distributed in the UK by Hotlines.
Comments (12)
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Pivot ‘reached out to’ WTB … no, they just asked them … Americanisms grrr!
Mr Arse D’Seadog said “I’m sure that this will be a great improvement to the ride quality of many a 650b bicycle, but I don’t think I’ll notice the difference myself”
That is so Enduro
Is it just me or is there no comment on the features that make this 650b specific?
And no option for 135mm behinds ;-o
Nice one, milk that 27.5 cash cow since the 29 has departed.
Honestly, if this was April, I’d be chuckling now.
Sometimes I really dislike the bike industry.
But, if people are stupid enough to buy it
It’s not suddenly become April 1 has it?
@portlyone – no, the Enduro version will come in a garish colorway (sic), and be twice the price.
Shaggy,
Sorry- on re-reading that wasn’t clear. As “…existing saddles stood in the path of the larger tyre as it moved through its travel, ” that’s the issue the notched tail aims to solve.
Marc
so, solving a problem that “progression” caused, a problem that didn’t exist until wheels got bigger.
Hmmm, I guess this its aimed squarely at short folks on small bikes given that my saddle sits significantly further from my tire than my bb does from the floor. Given I’m not said short person on a small bike excuse my ignorance, but I imagine when bending knees to absorb the impact which loaded my suspension bad enough to run the wheel into my saddle, that my backside might be rather glad of my saddle impeding the wheel
Sounds like I will NEED to buy one other wise there could be a really nasty “nip zone”