Gravel Grinder News: WTB Introduces Wider Silverado, SL8 Saddles- by Guitar Ted
The bicycle saddle is an important contact point and as such, it gets a LOT of attention from riders, manufacturers, designers, and even doctors. It is pretty obvious that with all the variants of humans that there are, that fitting a saddle can be a daunting task. Fortunately there are now fit systems and a lot of excellent choices out on the market for a cycling saddle. One of the long time favorites with the Riding Gravel contributors just so happens to have expanded it’s range. (Please pardon the pun) Specifically, the venerable Silverado, a very popular saddle with some folks, has only come in one, narrower width. Now it will also be offered in a 142mm, medium width. Joining this will be the “SL8” model which will come in three sizes, 133mm, 142mm, and in a 150mm version.
What They Are: Basically these are the Silverado and SL8 saddles we already knew, just in wider width choices. However; if you aren’t familiar with each model, here’s a quick description for each. The SL8 ( Say- S-L-8, not “slate”) is the cyclo cross/gravel model. It runs a bit shorter than other WTB saddles at 263mm. The shape is a bit broader across the back as it is meant to be leapt upon by running cyclo crossers.
The Silverado, a long running model in the WTB line, is a bit more rounded across the back to allow for moving back and forth over the saddle with ease, and it runs 280mm in length. The SL8 is a flatter profiled saddle while the Silverado sports the classic WTB nose and belly in the middle, albeit not as dramatically so as the old SST and Pure models.
Both saddles feature WTB’s typical relief cut outs and padding with a choice of several materials for the rails. The samples we were sent both have Titanium rails. The weight for the SL8 sample is 201 grams while the Siverado weighed in at 204 grams.
For more info on these and all of WTB’s saddle models, see their website. https://www.wtb.com/collections/saddles
Look for a Quick Review post in the coming weeks which will give you my opinion on these saddles after I have ridden them a bit.
Note- RidingGravel.com was sent these saddle at no charge for test and review by WTB. We were not paid, nor bribed, for this post and we strive to give our honest thoughts and opinions throughout.
