Saddles

I had an older WTB Deva on my mountain bike bought to replace an old and squeaky Volt. I was getting saddle sores and decided to try the updated Silverado since I had the original one came on my gravel bike and was comfortable. This doesn't really feel any different to me. And, really, 10mm is not much (3/8") and I couldn't even see it laying the two on top of each other. My saddle sore problem was probably seat height related and is now resolved by lowering the seat height about 1/2". This saddle doesn't squeak. It is comfortable to me. I've ridden WTB saddles for decades. They are relatively inexpensive.

I'm writing this review primarily because I was offered the chance to win a $50 gift card if I did so. I am 28, male, 130 pounds (59 kg) and 5� 9� (175 cm). My sit bone width is 120 mm and I purchased this saddle in the 140 mm size. That said, this saddle forces such a high degree of pelvic rotation that I don�t think sit bone width is the best measure for selecting width. I have fitted this saddle to a BMC Roadmachine.

?I chose the R3 model because I didn�t like the conspicuous white branding on the R5 model and the R1 was too pricey. The saddle was recommended to me by a bike fitter.

?When new the saddle was alarmingly slippery but it has gotten less so with use. My first few rides with it were quite painful but my comfort has improved since. The longest ride I�ve been on so far has been about 60 miles over four hours and I had no issues with that distance. I�m not sure how suited it will be for longer journeys. The �forward� position the saddle encourages is indeed racy but I am finding that it is helping with my positioning and posture. The result is that I am in a more aggressive but also more comfortable and stable body position than with previous saddles. In this respect the marketing copy from Fizik has been pretty accurate. The saddle also makes me feel more intimately connected to my bike.

I�ve been most impressed with the saddle�s vibration damping. It does a remarkable job cutting harshness from rough pavement and chip seal. My bike did this well already but the saddle has improved upon it. I find myself checking to see if the rear tire is flat or losing air because of how smooth the saddle makes things. It does so while also being pleasantly taut�other saddles have been too springy on wavy and rippled surfaces. I can hold higher speeds on bad roads without getting pitched about. I did try this on my aluminium commuter bike and it was unpleasantly stiff in that application. I think this will be a good choice if paired to a carbon frame that is relatively compliant to begin with. I mentioned my weight earlier because I don�t know if lighter or heavier riders will experience the same level of compliance.

Finally, with other saddles I�ve struggled with genital numbness and difficulties urinating during and after rides lasting over two hours/40 miles. I haven�t had such issues with this saddle and I believe the massive pressure relief channel is to thank.

Why 3 out of 5 stars? I am liking the saddle more and more but can�t help but wonder if there is a better saddle waiting to be discovered. I have had the saddle for six weeks and ridden about 500 miles on it so far. I�m unsure if I�ll be keeping it.

I used a number of the new 3D saddles before I settled on this one. Once I dialed in the tilt, it was perfect. I feel like I am suspended on just the sit bones and the rest of the saddle does not interfere with my pedaling motion. I have ridden ~ 700 total miles on several of these saddles, and so far, there has been no numbness or other issues. It is a grippy saddle, so sliding back and forth is not quite as easy as it is on a non-3D saddle. You quickly get the hang of lifting up slightly and repositioning. I don't move around that much, so it's never been an issue for me. Awesome saddle and great service from Western Bike Works!

I guess I'd have to call myself a casual bike rider here in the USA, but I may have graduated to a bicycle enthusiast.

I rode daily, everywhere, when I lived in Holland from 2000 until 2010. I had a gorgeous Trek hybrid made specifically

to my body in 2002 and have brought it back here to ride and enjoy.

This year I had the bike serviced at our best bike shop and it looked and rode so beautifully I thought I'd upgrade an

already very nice saddle to the best one I could find. After I did my research, it became obvious that the Brooks was

the one that everyone loved and recommended. Now that it's starting to break in, I get what they're all saying and

applaud myself for my good sense in buying this one. I soon called Western Bike Works to order a few canisters of

the leather conditioner.

I'm a little obsessed with this saddle and the bike itself now and riding it as much as I did in Europe. I might add

that the staff at WBW is about as kind, knowledgeable and helpful as it gets.