ABOUT THE WTB SOLANO FUSION FORM SADDLE
WTB introduces the most compact saddle to their lineup to date with the Solano. Coming in two sizes, the medium Solano features a fairly standard 142mm width, but with a shorter 240mm length. The wide Solano shares the 240mm length, but bumps the saddle width to 157mm.
Aside from width, WTB also offers three materials for rail construction: chromoly, titanium, and carbon. As you might expect, the lower the cost, the higher the weight — the chromoly option costs $95.95 and weighs 257 grams. The titanium rail option (tested) costs $119.95 and weighs 219 grams, while the $209.95 carbon rail WTB Solano weighs 167 grams.
The body of the Solano is constructed from WTB’s Fusion Form nylon fiber, allowing them to fine-tune the specific flex profile for each area of the saddle. The Solano features an additional 4mm of sit bone padding, as well as 2mm thicker padding in the middle and through the nose, making it perfect for longer rides. WTB then wraps the saddle in a durable microfiber cover, simulating the look and feel of leather.
The Solano also features WTB’s Love Channel and Comfort Zone. This depression (Love Channel) and cut-away (Comfort Zone) keep uncomfortable pressure away from more sensitive backside areas. WTB claims they are an integral part in providing maximum comfort on long rides.
THE DIRT
From the first ride, the Solano saddle proved to be comfortable. This didn’t surprise me, as I have spent quite a bit of time on the WTB Silverado and Volt, both of which I got along with. That said, I find my backside is more likely to agree with a saddle than not, regardless of the WTB branding. My “agreeable saddle” list is far longer than my disagreeable list.
Once the WTB Solano saddle was positioned correctly (we’ll discuss that in a second), I found it to be comfortable for rides ranging from average to longer distances. In my experience, this comfort comes from WTB’s Love Channel and Comfort Zone, as they do alleviate the pressure that typically causes the saddle numbness I’ve experienced with other saddles. And while I didn’t take the Solano on any truly epic rides, I managed to get close to 20 miles a few times with few comfort issues.
Aesthetically, I very much like the look of the smaller profile and shorter saddles. We’ve seen saddles like the Silverado receive a more slender profile remake recently, and I’m happy that WTB followed suit with the Solano. The reduced length also allowed for easier movement around the bike on the descents, especially notable with shorter dropper post lengths. Perhaps a dream saddle for freeriders looking to get up the hill under their own pedal power?
However, that short stature did come with a few issues. First, I found that I often didn’t feel I could get my weight onto the nose of the saddle enough during steep climbs. I would shift my weight further to compensate for the steep grade, only to find that I no longer had any saddle to shift onto. 240mm just isn’t enough real estate for me on the steepest of pitches.
This small stature also made it more challenging to get the Solano in the perfect spot, or feel like it was in the perfect spot. My initial rides had me stopping, scooting the saddle back a few millimeters, only to stop and move it forward a mile later. I’m unsure if I ever found the sweet spot I was hoping for, or if I adjusted my riding to this new saddle. That’s not to say that other riders would be unable to get comfortable with the Solano – there’s got to be a sweet spot out there for many.
The Wolf’s Last Word
With a 240mm length, the Solano is the shortest saddle I’ve ever ridden. While my butt got along well with the Solano, I struggled with the lack of real estate the saddle offered on climbs and with its general setup. Personally, I would like to add five or ten more millimeters to the length of this saddle, but for riders seeking a well designed short saddle, the WTB Solano could be the ticket. 
Price: $95.95 – $209.95
Weight: 219 grams
Website: WTB.com
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ABOUT THE WOLF
The local boy — Travis was born and raised in Bend, OR. Skateboarding consumed his life until his high school years (yes, he can still kickflip), but was replaced by mountain biking…then rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and finally back to mountain biking. After a stint in the big city, Travis returned home, trading a teaching career to be an okay mountain biker and above-average journalist. He is an outspoken 90s grunge fan, cornering poor souls in conversations about the meaning behind the lyrics of Alice In Chains’ “Would.” Most days, Travis hopes to be outside, whether that is on an early morning ride or a hike with his family (the best days include both).
Rank: Contributing Writer
Size: 5’8” / 172cm | 195lbs / 88kg
Social: @travis_reill_writes
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