I guess these new snub-nosed saddles are all the rage, but everyone I've tried (with one exception) hasn't hit me quite right 100%. There is always some niggling thing about each one of these which has made me go back to the tried and true saddles I've used in the past. Saddles which I know I can squeeze out multiple hour ride on.
I pulled out my bin of saddles and started going through them. (This prompted me to donate a bunch of them to the Cedar Valley Bicycle Collective, by the way) I found one I knew would be a saddle with a very high chance of being exactly what I want. It was the WTB Silverado.
I took off the WTB snub-nosed saddle and swapped to the Silverado, took it for a ride, and immediately felt a huge difference. It was like coming home. Yep! I should have just went with this one right away. I even think it looks better than the snub-nosed saddles I've had.
On other bits of this bike, I have not yet decided if I can live without a ShockStop stem on this bike. It's going to probably be decided by tires. Right now these Schwalbes are not quite damping enough for my tastes. They feel a bit stiff, and I think it is due to the puncture protection belt. So, more tire experimentation will be necessary.
I hope to squeeze in several more gravel rides before the snow flies. Stay tuned....
Put the recent Conti (Adventure?) tires on
ReplyDelete@shiggy - Those do ride nice. They suck at holding air pressure compared to most tubeless tires though.
DeleteIf you want another of that era Silverado, I have a Ti railed version that's sitting in a box. Just let me know.
ReplyDelete@MG - I will let you know if I decide I need another. But I thought you liked them as well?
DeleteI love them… I just have an extra I'm not using. For you, the world!
DeleteI know they're ultra expensive, but that bike really deserves Rene Herse tires. You'll never want for ride quality again.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to faff with tires, might as well go all the way to Challenge,
Deletegreat ride quality and they live up to their name, they're the greatest
challenge in tire installation.
... but get the Endurance casing. It's worth the extra $$.
ReplyDelete@MG - I hear ya.... I'm just really gun-shy on Rene Herse tires. There are so many other good options which do not have histories anything close to Panaracer made stuff.
DeleteI'll consider it though. Thanks Brother!
I've had excellent luck with Endurance casing versions, and have yet to ride a tire with the same ride quality from any other source. They've proven very durable for me as well, particularly in the tread.
DeleteI have had very few issues with Panaracer tires or Panaracer made tires, including RH. I like the RH standard casing on the road. Usually get the endurance for knobbies, but have used the standard casing, too. Regular Orange Seal or Seal Smart are essential
DeleteI'm a huge fan of the WTB Silverado myself... is the newer 265 just as comfy or does the shorter nose make if feel completely different?
ReplyDelete@Rydn9ers - Those snub-nosed Silverados feel similar enough to normal Silverados that I can live with them, but I like the longer ones a little better. YMMV
Delete