Did you ever have one of those times where you just couldn’t bear to wait for something? For me, I had been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the WTB Silverado Syndicate saddle and wouldn’t you know it..I managed to get not just one but two! Yep, WTB released the Syndicate in white with black print as well as black with white print and I snagged one of each.

What’s the big deal with the Silverado Syndicate saddle? Well for starters it’s an exact replica of the saddle the Santa Cruz race team uses. I don’t have a Santa Cruz mountain bike yet but the saddle may just find itself on one sometime soon… In the meantime, the saddle matches both my present rides perfectly and has all the features I want and need.

The covering on the Syndicate is not your typical leather covering because, although durable and comfortable, leather is not so great for DH/FR bikes. Big bikes are prone to falls, water, and mud and none of that is good for leather. The nylon covering on the Syndicate is actually a much better choice.

The Syndicate comes with titanium rails and a nylon frame and weighs in at about 220 grams, not too bad considering competing saddle weights. Speaking of the saddle frame, WTB incorporates comfort zone technology and flex tuning here for maximum rideability. At the tip of the saddle you have a cut-out for some pressure relief plus additional cut-outs to protect on your sensitive pelvic region. The addition of the “Love Channel” further improves pressure relief and comfort while also encouraging air flow when you’re just off the saddle. The long slim shape (133mm x 274mm) helps move the rider’s mass forward while staying seated which is helpful on those longer XC/Trail climbs.

Installing the Silverado Syndicates on my DH and FR rigs was a great choice. For one thing, the longer saddle and narrowish width works well with my riding style. On my rigs I tend to install saddles with a tip up attitude simply due to the fact that the bike is most always pointing down slope and the tip up attitude tends to counter the push forward you would normally feel if the saddle was set parallel to the ground.

I also rode one of the Syndicates on my trail bike for a while to get a good indication of how well it works on extended rides. In every case the saddle worked great. It is a bit stiff but not all that stiff; for a beginner I would say wait a while before purchasing one of these. This is, after all, a performance saddle and not one of those mushroom cushy beginner saddles you would find on a something from a chain store. After seasoning your butt and building up a good mileage base, you may be ready for something like this.

The DNA padding on this saddle ranges from 4-12mm in thickness, and after some time the DNA padding gives a bit and takes shape. For a saddle on a DH bike this thing really finishes the look on a bike but more importantly, it performs great. Even off big drops and all kinds of “off slope” excursions, the rails and cover are holding strong with no sign of abrasion or bending.

The Silverado Syndicate sells for about $130 and can be found in stores now. Check it out.

Thanks to Chris and the folks at WTB for sending down the Silverado Syndicates for review.

Those who have been riding mountain bikes for a while have undoubtedly heard of KORE. And more than likely there is a story or two starting with “Oh yeah, I wanted that!” Back in the day when I had my Cannondale Super-V the ultimate upgrade at the time over the stock stem was the KORE Elite. Well KORE is coming back (not that they ever left) with some great looking products for this year. The best part is these components won’t require you to take out a loan or file for bankruptcy.

KORE me sent a few 2011 products for testing, including the Distance T-Rail saddle and the All-In-One Race seatpost. I decided to install both on my DH bike – yup, that’s right. I figured if the saddle and seatpost can take the abuse in extreme conditions I know they’re good to go.

KORE Distance T-Rail Saddle

The saddle is made of a durable Polyurethane covering with added polyamide bumpers on the side for increased durability and abrasion resistance. For a measure of added good looks and texture there’s also a debossed KORE logo. The saddle itself features an average foam thickness of super light material about 13mm thick with a slight channel for sensitive areas.

This saddle lends itself nicely to many riding styles thanks to its decent weight (228grams) and size (280mm long and 138mm wide at its widest point). Now what sets the Distance apart from other saddles is the super cool forged and machined T-rail system (available in six colors). Not only do the rails come in six colors, but the Distance saddle also comes in four cover styles (two in white, two in black).

The best selling feature of these rails is the 55mm (2 inches) of saddle adjustment. That in itself can really help with fitting a rider who is in between frame sizes or wants to experiment with seat position. The T-rail also allows the saddle to independently flex, adding additional comfort. Some other saddles of this nature are solid and don’t allow the saddle to flex which often results in a sore experience.

KORE All-In-One Race Seatpost

KORE’s All-In-One Race seatpost is another great product. Not only does it fit the T-rail seat, it also fits other I-beam saddles on the market as well as conventionally-tubed rail saddles. So if you’re not replacing your existing saddle just yet with a shinny new one like KORE’s T-Rail saddle, you can use the adapter on whatever you currently run.

The Race seatpost is made of a stiff, 2014 heat-treated aluminum with a three-forged machined head which has been bonded in place. I decided to go with the zero offset version but if you want there is a 20mm setback version as well. With three popular sizes (27.2, 30.9, 31.6mm) plus a few others this post will be able to fit most popular brands.  The shot-peened alloy adds another measure of durability to this post. Coming in at about 205 grams more or less depending how far you cut yours down, this post is not too bad weight-wise.

Installing the post and saddle is a piece of cake and one of the best selling features of the set. Simply loosen the dual bolts a bit and slide the saddle right in place. Setting the position of the saddle as well as setback can all be done at the same time. Everything moves nice and easily; once you have your setting, torque the bolts down evenly to 9Nm and you’re done. I did have one instance where I initially tightened the bolts down and had the saddle move on me. I double checked and found I only had 7Nm on the bolts, so getting the right torque is critical.

Over my time with the saddle I didn’t drop the bike bad enough to actually strike the saddle so I cannot comment on the durability. As far as comfort, for the amount of time my butt actually spends on the saddle I can say it was comfy. Best part though is the creak free operation. Even when I tried to manhandle the saddle to try to get it to creak, it didn’t. Kudos for sure on this design.

Now here’s the good part: you can get the seatpost for about $54.99 and the saddle for another $59.99. Not only do these products perform well on the bike, they’re also very affordable.

I would like to thank KORE for sending up the Distance saddle and the T-rail Race seatpost for review.

There aren’t a lot of women’s specific mountain bike products out there that actually need to be women’s specific (like bike pumps – seriously). One major exception, of course, is mountain bike saddles.  I’ve been searching for a comfortable and lightweight women’s specific saddle for a long time and was recently fortunate to stumble upon the WTB Deva Saddle.

To me, comfort is the most important criteria for any saddle. I like the WTB Deva saddle because, first, it’s slightly wider than most men’s saddles to cushion more of your bottom. I’ve ridden on a few 2-3 hour rides already and I didn’t have to slow down because my butt was sore (since it’s winter, my legs become sore and tired long before I notice soreness anywhere else!).  Another way the WTB Deva adds comfort is through a feature called the Love Channel. The Love Channel is a small groove that runs down the middle of the saddle to minimize pressure on sensitive areas. I shouldn’t have to tell you how important that is when rolling over rocks and roots at high speed!

Then there’s the gel padding that helps provide comfort, too.  As a racing saddle, the Deva is pretty firm with some flex; the minimal padding gives the Deva a low profile which is crucial when the ride involves varied saddle positions. If I’m frequently getting in and out of the saddle for climbs and descents, the last thing I want is to sit back down on a firm, unforgiving seat.  I’ve ridden with a men’s saddle before and there were many times that I would much rather climb out of the saddle than sit and pedal on something that feels like a hard, plastic chair in the waiting room at the DMV.

Though it’s been a while since I’ve done any mountain bike racing, I still like using a racer’s saddle because it is lightweight.  These days I favor lightweight components, not just because I plan to get back into mountain bike racing, but because I only weigh 100lbs. and don’t want to waste extra energy hauling around a heavy bike (outside of DH, few men ride mountain bikes that weigh 25% of their body weight).  My WTB Deva SLT weighs just 240g with titanium rails and by itself, the Deva won’t make the difference between getting on the podium or not, but it’s a great saddle choice for me.

For any woman who is riding a men’s saddle and hating it, the first upgrade to your mountain bike should be a women’s specific saddle like the Deva. The shape of the WTB Deva makes a world of difference! Even after taking a (motherhood) hiatus from the bike, I can ride comfortably for hours on this saddle.  And the Deva is the perfect saddle if you intend on racing or are in the market for a high-quality women’s mountain bike saddle.

Plus, nothing says you’re fast and fearless like white mountain bike components.  I’ve  always been hesitant about choosing white mountain bikes and parts because of the inherent mud and grime but for the Deva I’m willing to make an exception. My white WTB Deva certainly makes a statement, and my butt could not be happier!

Thanks to the folks at WTB for providing the Deva for review.

The WTB Valcon mountain bike saddle comes in three flavors (SLT Carbon, Team Carbon, and Pro) and is positioned as an XC race saddle, though I found it to be much more versatile than advertised. The Valcon SLT Carbon ($165 MSRP) is lightweight, high tech, and strong enough to stand up to DH-intensity pounding on the trail.

I had high expectations for this saddle based on the other WTB saddles I’ve ridden and I have to say the good folks at WTB didn’t disappoint. The Valcon is similar to the WTB Silverado but sightly more rounded with the addition of what WTB calls the Luxzone. The Luxzone is basically a cut in the middle of the saddle to relieve pressure in the groin area while improving air flow down there (it doesn’t get more luxe than that).

The SLT is covered in leather with a fresh, over-sized WTB graphic running diagonally across the back. Underneath the cool exterior there’s the familiar DNA padding which is also found on the other high-end WTB models. For those who aren’t familiar, DNA is a dense foam padding that forms over time to your contours and reduces saddle hotspots on the bike.

The carbon composite shell further reduces weight and allows for some give when going over bumps and roots. If you look at the Valcon closely you’ll see this saddle is rather flat (unlike say a Pure or Rocket) which makes for an efficient climbing saddle. The flat shape also allows the rider to get on to the tip more easily and stay there to increase leverage and performance.

As icing on the cake, the Valcon SLT Carbon also spots 7mm titanium rails. Titanium not only reduces weight but helps reduce vibration.

During my tests I ran the Valcon SLT Carbon on both my XC bikes and my DH rig and it was comfortable either way. Of course when it comes to DH I’d probably save the Valcon for competition and leave the wear and tear of everyday riding to another WTB saddle like the Aviator.  Overall the Valcon doesn’t feel super stiff, but firm, so a seasoned rider shouldn’t have any issues with the ride. And while this is a firm saddle, it can still be ridden for hours without feeling numb or uncomfortable.

After logging a ton of time in the saddle across several rides I still enjoy the Valcon and haven’t had any issues with creaking or loose stitching. Feel free to check out WTB to see the entire line-up of saddles to fit your butt and your budget!

I would like to thank the folks at WTB for providing the Valcon SLT Carbon for review.

Here is some bling for those who like to stand out from the crowd. Troy Lee Designs (TLD) has been working with Selle Italia for the past few years, bringing us some fresh new looks to the otherwise boring black mountain bike saddle. This year, Selle Italia and TLD bring us the 25th anniversary”Pistone Bone” ($132 MSRP) to set the brave apart from the humdrum.

The SL TLD Pistone Bone is light enough for any type of riding at 230 grams but is still strong enough for extreme freeriding. The saddle’s backbone features 7mm diameter rails made from manganese and cromoly. To make sure the saddle isn’t too unforgiving, the shell features a mix of approximately 30% carbon composite / 70% ‘fiber glass’ matrix that “gives” in the bumps rather than staying bone-shatteringly rigid.

Underneath the super cool Lorica covered saddle, the padding molds itself to your behind over time, making for a perfect custom fit. I can easily see myself taking this seat off my FR bike and switching it over to my trail bike just because of that feature. Speaking of cool coverings, check out the graphics on this saddle. Totally awesome, totally Troy Lee. Selle Italia’s website has more great looking saddles in the TLD series of saddles including some like the SLR T1 that are almost too nice to ride.

On the trails (and on my trail bike), the SL Pistone Bone took just a short while to get used to because it’s a little different from my current saddle. In the end, the saddle did end up molding to my butt and with the 131mm wide base and 275mm length I found it just right. I set the saddle up parallel to the ground, making sure there was no pressure on the front end. The width was just perfect for me and felt fine without the hot spots that some saddles can create, especially in situations where pelvis spacing is way off. I could easily do 2 to 4hour rides on the Pistone Bone with little reservation.

On the FR bike there is not a lot of sitting but a saddle really can take a beating. Going off jumps and landing, the saddle gets banged around when your body weight bears down on it all at once. Some saddles can’t take that kind of abuse and tend to have their rails bend like a wet noodle. The SL thankfully did not. The covering even seemed to hold up pretty well to some of that abuse with minor scuffing along the sides (which only slightly detracts from the cool looks).

Overall, the Selle Italia / TLD Pistone Bone is a cool saddle with great looks and a comfortable feel. Light weight and strength blend together on this saddle for a smooth and comfortable yet bad-ass ride.

I would like to thank the folks from Selle Italia for providing this saddle for review.

Introducing the 2010 THE Flow, a lightweight all-mountain/freeride saddle comfortable and tough enough for daily duty.

The Flow saddle retails for around $60 which is about average for a chromoly-railed seatpost. At 227 grams this saddle is as light as many titanium railed saddles, but much cheaper. The embossed graphics ensure the saddle still looks good after extended use while the kevlar side and back panels keep the leather from tearing. The Flow measures 257mm in length and 127mm in width, pretty standard dimensions for an all-mountain saddle.

The Ride

Overall I’m quite satisfied with THE’s Flow saddle. Although THE uses less padding than most companies, the shape and flex of the Flow make it comfortable. The chromoly rails are still straight after numerous days at Joyride150, my local bike park, and the graphics haven’t worn off or faded at all. This saddle is also narrow enough that it doesn’t snag your leg as you maneuver the bike yet it doesn’t feel like riding a broomstick.

As an added bonus, installing a lightweight saddle like the THE Flow is an easy, inexpensive way to make your bike lighter. My bike lost over ½ lb after I installed this saddle. Plus the Flow has a unique design that will add individuality and style to your bike.

The Verdict

If you’re an all-mountain or freerider looking for a lightweight, good looking, comfortable saddle that won’t easily bend, break or fade, THE’s Flow saddle is a good choice.

Thanks to THE Industries for providing the Flow saddle for testing.

WTB has come out swinging in 2010 with a new and much improved product line for downhill bikes. Three items in particular stand out as products with excellent value: WTB Laserdisc DH Wheels, Dissent tires and Aviator saddle.

LaserDisc DH Wheels

WTB designed the LaserDisc DH Wheelset for downhill racers and performance-minded riders looking to shed weight off their bike without compromising strength. These wheels weigh in at 2195 grams, putting them in the same class as the 2010 Mavic Deemax UST wheel set, which weigh 2160 grams. As WTB’s burliest wheel set, they also promise to be strong. The LaserDisc DH is built from 34mm wide LaserDisc DH rims, 32 double butted WTB spokes, brass nipples and WTB Super Duty hubs. MSRP is $830 for the set, about $250 less than Mavic Deemax UST’s.

First Impression

So far these wheels are holding up very well. After numerous days at the local indoor bike park, Joyride 150, the LaserDisc DH wheels are spinning true and problem free. Unless you already own high-end DH wheels, the LaserDisc DH’s will make your downhill bike faster. The low weight allows them to accelerate quickly and the high quality cartridge bearings roll easily to help you maintain speed. These wheels are also very stiff and I haven’t felt noticeable flex yet. They look decent and have a pleasantly quiet freehub. Stay tuned for a full review of the LaserDisc DH wheels in the spring. I’m excited to see how these wheels perform on the local DH trails as well as at big resorts.

Dissent 2.5 Tires

WTB claims to have vastly improved the Dissent 2.5 for 2010. In 2009, many riders complained that the Dissent 2.5 was great in dry conditions but terrible in the wet. Too many center knobs caused the tire to clog with mud while the spacing between center and side knobs was too narrow for aggressive cornering. WTB responded by releasing the Dissent 2.3, designed and tweaked on the World Cup circuit by Fabien Barel and the Subaru/Mondraker team. The Dissent 2.3 featured more space between the center knobs for increased braking power and a wider channel between the center and side knobs to improve cornering, especially in wet and loose conditions. The Dissent 2.3 turned out to be a very popular tire in 2009 because, unlike the old 2.5, it excelled in conditions ranging from dry to wet and hardpack to loose.

For 2010, WTB has applied lessons learned with the Dissent 2.3 to the wider 2.5 version. This means there is even more space between knobs, which increases braking and cornering traction in all conditions and solve the problems that plagued the 2009 Dissent 2.5. The 2010 Dissent 2.5 features 50a soft compound rubber and a nylon insert called “inner peace” that helps reduce flats. The tire also comes in 2 sidewall thicknesses – DH and Race. The DH tire is designed to hold up to shuttle runs and park days while the lighter, race version is design for all-mountain and freeride applications. The DH version costs $60 while the Race version costs $50, which is average for a performance DH tire. Fabian Barel and the Subaru/Mondraker team will be using the 2.3 and 2.5 versions of the Dissent on the World Cup circuit in 2010.

First Impression

I installed the Dissent 2.5 tires on my LaserDisc DH wheels and set off to Joyride 150 for a couple impressive test laps. The Dissent 2.5’s roll very well for soft compound downhill tires and have great cornering and braking bite on wood surfaces. The low rolling resistance will be great on Eastern DH racetracks where pedaling and speed are key components in making the podium.

The Dissent 2.5’s are a tight fit on most rims and can cause some difficulties. I was able to mount the tire fine but getting the bead seated was difficult. After lubricating the bead with soapy water and inflating the tire to 40psi I was able to get the tire seated properly.

The Dissent 2.5’s are wide, high profile tires. This allows you to run slightly lower pressures than other tires without increasing the probability of a flat. At 1379 grams this is an average weight DH tire. Stay tuned for a full review in the spring – I’m stoked to see how these tires will perform on the rough, wet downhills we have here on the East Coast!

Aviator Saddle

New for 2010, the Aviator is WTB’s premier DH saddle. The WTB Aviator is covered by the same material that Carhartt uses for their jeans so it resists tearing and stains. The circumference of the saddle is covered by a rubber strip, offering more grip and abrasion resistant corners. The oversized 8mm chromoly rails resist bending and the comfort zone cut-out, soft padding, and flex-tuned shell make it suitable for long days in the saddle. The Aviator weighs 315 grams, about average for a normal saddle and lightweight for a DH saddle. MSRP is $80, about right for a high-end DH saddle. I’ve already spent quite a lot of time on this saddle and I have written a full review, which can be found here.

The Verdict

WTB offers some excellent DH products at very competitive prices and weights for 2010. The LaserDisc DH wheels are race-light and have been sturdy so far; the Dissent 2.5 tires promise to be a great set of tires and the Aviator Saddle is very tough, good looking, and light. I think we’ll be seeing a lot more WTB products on DH bikes this year!

Thanks to WTB for providing the LaserDisc DH Wheels, Dissent 2.5 Tires and Aviator Saddle for review

New for 2010 is the WTB Aviator, a saddle so tough it flies through the air wearing Carhartts! WTB built this saddle to withstand the abuses of a downhiller or freerider, meaning it will be able to handle multiple crashes, heavy riders, and jarring impacts.

The WTB Aviator saddle is covered by the same material that Carhartt uses for their jeans so naturally the material resists tearing and stains. The circumference of the saddle is covered by a rubber strip, offering more grip and abrasion resistant corners. The over-sized 8mm chromoly rails are designed to resist bending while the comfort zone cut-out, soft padding, and flex-tuned shell make it suitable for long days in the saddle. The Aviator weighs 315 grams which is about average for a normal saddle and fairly lightweight for a DH saddle.

The Ride

The WTB Aviator is a very impressive freeride/downhill saddle. One of the best things about this saddle is its shape: at 137mm wide and 272mm long, the Aviator is a bit wider than a typical XC saddle. Despite its width, you can easily maneuver your bike side to side and front to back without the Aviator snagging your legs or armor. Maneuverability is an important feature for DH saddles because you are constantly moving the bike around. The wider profile also makes the Aviator is a very comfortable saddle, offering support in the right places with ample padding. The “comfort zone” cut-out provides noticeable flex and comfort where you need it most.

WTB claims that the rubber siding on the Aviator helps the rider change direction on the trail or in the air and I definitely noticed the extra grip when I pinched the saddle with my knees during braking and jumping. For me the extra grip was tougher to notice during cornering since I only knock the seat when initiating a drift. The canvas cover is also grippy which lets you put power to the pedals more effectively when seated. All of this adds up to increased confidence on the bike.

I’ve ridden this saddle on numerous shuttle days, race tracks, and bike parks and it has virtually zero wear on it. The Aviator is so tough that even though I crashed hard enough to break my seatpost during testing, the saddle remained unscathed! I have noticed some discoloration in the canvas (it’s now a few shades darker) after riding in conditions ranging from very muddy to dry and dusty. The discoloration is purely a cosmetic thing but it’s something to keep in mind if you like keeping your bike looking brand new.

The Verdict

The WTB Aviator ($80 MSRP) is an excellent choice for any downhiller, freerider, or Clydesdale who is looking for a durable, relatively lightweight saddle. It’s shaped well, comfortable, looks great, it’s grippy and will last longer than most saddles out there. If you’re in the market for a new DH saddle and you need it to last you a good long while, the WTB Aviator is a great choice.

Thanks to WTB for providing the Aviator saddle for testing.

I bet you if you ask any mountain biker what WTB is known for, the first thing they will mention is saddles – and there’s a pretty good chance they own one too. Well here is one of WTB’s lesser know but great saddles: The WTB Devo Carbon saddle w/ titanium rails (MSRP $165 USD, $224 CAD). The Devo is a race-oriented saddle with a medium width (140mm) and a short length (255mm). This saddle will fit just as comfortably on an XC or a road bike; heck you could even toss it on a DH rig if you wanted to! After all, top DH riders like Sam Hill and Fabien Barel rock the Devo as their saddle of choice.

The Devo is advertised at just 190 grams and mine actually came in at 189 grams so the advertised weight might actually be a bit of an overestimate. The Devo is relatively flat front to back and has a “love channel” to help reduce pressure between bike and butt. At first glance you might think this saddle is hard as a rock but that’s really not the case. WTB cleverly added just the right amount of padding (they call it DNA padding) in all the right spots and over time the DNA padding will conform to your anatomy. WTB also cut reliefs in the shell to induce flex in key areas to increase rider comfort.

I installed the Devo on my all-mountain rig in just a few minutes and set it so that the saddle runs parallel to the ground (a great starting point for those of you who are wondering how to set up a saddle for themselves). From the first minute on the trails I found the Devo was comfortable and virtually eliminated the typical saddle pressure points.

After just a few miles of riding I totally fell in love with the “Goldilocks” shape of this saddle – it’s not too long and is just the right width. Since the Devo is a little on the short side, I was easily able to slide up to the nose of the saddle and back again with out any snagging during climbs. The shape of the saddle also worked great going off the back on steep descents – I didn’t feel like I was hanging up on the “whale tail” like with other saddles.  This is a very versatile saddle indeed.

Looking for a saddle recommendation? While every rider has slightly different MTB saddle needs, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Devo for your consideration set. And check this out: WTB has saddle testing programs through many local bike shops to help you find the right saddle (check your local retailer for details). Give the Devo and other WTB saddles a shot – you’ve got nothing to lose and you just might find your butt’s new best friend!

Cheers.

Official Devo specs from WTB:

Of the 3 main contact points on a mountain bike, the saddle has to be the most important one. It carries the most weight for the longest time (unless you’re a strictly downhill or out-of-the-saddle rider) plus it’s in charge of keeping some of our most sensitive areas safe and comfortable during the ride. I recently upgraded the stock saddle and seatpost on my Redline d660 and I’m here to tell you it was well worth the effort.

Saddle

I swapped out the WTB Pure V on my bike for the Titec Hellbent Nemesis Prolite and the difference is pretty clear. Many bikes come standard with the Pure V and it’s an ok saddle but it’s pretty basic to put it nicely. The Nemesis Prolite spanks the Pure V in three main areas:

1. Comfort. This is what it’s all about when it comes to choosing the right saddle and in many instances it’s a matter of personal preference. The Nemesis Prolite was designed specifically for epic XC and all-mountain riding so it’s a great choice if you see yourself spending hours on end in the saddle. I’ve noticed it’s a bit more comfortable than the Pure V on long rides and I’m confident it will do the job when I ride the Sumter Metric Dirty Century (62 miles) in May.
2. Weight. It’s true, I’m a bit of a weight weenie (I prefer the term gram counter) so anytime I can save weight on MTB components I’m game. The Nemesis Prolite tips the scales at just 235 grams which means it would only cost you about $2.50 in first class postage to ship the thing from Atlanta to Anchorage, AK if you wanted to. More importantly, it’s 70 grams (about 25%) lighter than the Pure V thanks to its CrN – Titanium alloy rails and super light foam padding.
3. Style. No one wants to ride on a saddle that looks like a 6-inch thick pillow wrapped in black leather and Titec designed the Nemesis Prolite to look sleek while still providing maximum comfort. The profile is shallow while the nose is aggressively long and narrow. Titec claims the seat is wider than the typical XC saddle but it’s definitely not as wide as the Pure V – a good thing in my opinion since it doesn’t sacrifice on comfort. This seat not only looks fast and with its aerodynamic shape and light weight – it rides fast as well.

Seatpost

The seatpost on a mountain bike isn’t the sexiest thing you can upgrade but it definitely serves an important purpose and shouldn’t be overlooked. The Titec Hellbent Duke Prolite seatpost has a wide range of tilt adjustment that makes it possible to get just the right angle on your saddle while holding the rails securely. Initially I was a little confused by the simplicity of the mechanism but it turns out simplicity is good – less stuff to break and lighter weight!

Titec claims this is one of the lightest all-mountain rated seatposts and we’re not surprised. When it comes to seatposts it’s important to get the right mix between strength and weight and the Duke Prolite strikes the perfect balance. The seatpost itself is shot peened with an annodized finish to increase fatigue strength and durability and I was impressed with how smoothly it went into my frame. On my old bike I was constantly annoyed with the creaking sound my seatpost / frame connection would make but I haven’t heard a peep out of the Duke Prolite.

If you’re an all-mountain or epic XC rider and you’re still rockin’ a stock saddle and seatpost, do your ass a favor and consider upgrading to the Titec Hellbent series. A harmonious body and bike will allow you to ride all day long!