The WTB Volt saddle is not a new saddle. New aesthetics aside, the shape and construction remain unchanged. Thank heavens for that!
- Brand: WTB
- Product: Volt Saddle Chromoly
- From: hotlines-uk.com
- Price: £69.99
- Tested by: Benji for 5 years (at least)
Three things I liked
- Comfort
- Decent price
- New styling is a big improvement
Three things I’d change
- Durability could be better on the rear corners
- Fancier rail option with deep padding would be nice
- Wish it came on all test bikes (to be fair, it often does!)
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The Volt saddle from WTB is by no means a new saddle. It has undergone an aesthetic styling change recently, which was welcome, but the actual shape and construction of the saddle remains unchanged. Praise be!
There are quite a number of different Volt saddles available. The material used for the rails is the main obvious difference. More expensive Volts get fancier saddle rail materials (steel, chromoly, titanium, carbon).
While the shape of the different Volts stays pretty constant, the padding does not. I personally find the expensive Volts with the ‘DNA’ padding to be a bit too firm for my tastes/needs. Save your money and go for the Volts that have the deeper ‘DNAx’ or ‘HLX’ (tested here) padding.
The overall shape of the Volt was way ahead of its time. It’s flat across the back/bum-bone zone and has a tail that kicks up at the back, for pushing against on climbs, or just to keep you in the sweet spot generally.
I’d even argue that its unfashionably round nose is actually better than modern flat or snub nosed designs; I find it more comfortable and less snaggy than flat/snub nose saddles on the occasions when you briefly have to sit right on the nose of the saddle during super-steep sections.
It almost goes without saying the Volt saddle is a fair bit cheaper than more modern rival flat/snub saddles too.
The pressure relief channel that runs down the middle of the saddle is also very effective. There’s no need to stand up and rummage some feeling back into your private parts during long rides.
The under-shell has a cutaway section as well, to provide even more pressure relief potential.
The tear-drop shape (from above) is just a classic shape that works. There’s space for thighs to pedal unencumbered, whilst being generously wide enough for bum bones to be consistently comfy with no readjustment required.
The Volt comes in three sizes: 135, 142 (tested here) and 150mm widths by the way.
The flat, wide tear-drop outline is at the other end of the saddle spectrum compared to round, isosceles outline saddles. Isosceles ‘rolling pin’ saddles may make sense on perma-sat-down road bikes or low-handlebar XC race bikes but for regular MTBs, the Volt shape is the way to go.
Overall
A good saddle is something you just don’t think about. In. Many ways, the WTB Volt is the unsung hero in my mountain biking life. I never think about it. Apart from when I get on a test bike that doesn’t have a Volt on it. Then I think about it a lot.
