Crafted to fit the natural contours of the body, the Pure V delivers support, ergonomics, and function unlike any other. Featuring the traditional WTB drop nose, relieving Love Channel and Comfort Zone features and our Whale-Tail pedaling platform, the Pure V is the ultimate body-tuned saddle.
Weaknesses: Rails bent when my feet slipped off the pedals (raises questions about the pedals) in some mud after a week and a half of riding everyday
Bottom Line:
Like those below me have said, its comfortable enough but I would have expected to last much longer than a week and a half considering I wasn't riding anything too technical. I give one chili for value and overall due its extremely short lived career
Submitted by
jadedbee
a Cross Country Rider
from Sacto, CA
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2011
Strengths: comfy, good looks, power transfer ("whale tail")
Weaknesses: Love Channel can split, hard to get off the back when needed
Bottom Line:
I use this saddle for everything now. I first got it on a recommendation from REI when I was training for a century ride. I then put it on my mountain bike and now I have one on my commuter track bike single speed as well. This width fits my sit bones (I'm 5'11" and about 175lbs) very well - no numbness. I like the whale tail design for pushing against to power over rollers or up a climb in a tall gear. I don't like that it hinders my ability to slide off the back on technical downhills. This made me try some narrower WTB saddles, but I got numb so I switched back. At first I thought the narrower saddles allowed me to lean the bike over in turns better, but after putting the Pure V back on, I realized I have more stability/control as its flat side edges rest against my inner thigh.
I've gone through 3 of these saddles in about 6 years. The love channel cut-out will split and the saddle will flex off the rails. To be fair, I am hard on the rear of my bike - I have also broken 3 seat post heads (separately from the seats), and go through rear wheels like nobodies business.
The new models come with silk-screened logos instead of stitching, which is nice. The material is durable, but can tear or come un-stitched from underneath.
Similar Products Used: other WTB saddles, old Specialized Body Geometry
Bike Setup: 29er steel hardtail, steel Cinelli track bike
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Holmes
a Weekend Warrior
from Berthoud, CO
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2010
Strengths: Comfortable, cheap
Weaknesses: none (for what it is)
Bottom Line:
Hands down the most comfortable saddle I have ever used. Picked this up off Jenson when they had the OEM saddles for 25 bucks, I am kicking myself for not ordering several more at that price for the rest of my bikes.
This is not a super light, super narrow race saddle. But if you want comfort at a decent price, give this a try. A good choice for road bikes and XC oriented mountain bikes.
Similar Products Used: various synthetic saddles, various leather saddles
Bike Setup: Have had this on my road bike, currently on my Karate Monkey
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Submitted by
retrostude
a Weekend Warrior
from Lake Stevens WA
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2010
Strengths: long-ride comfortable
Weaknesses: weight but so what
Bottom Line:
I'm 6'2", ~250 lbs and this holds up just fine, even over 2 years. In fact I put it on my road bike for STP training/riding this past summer and had a chafe-free and soreness-free ride both days. Since then I have been swapping the seat to whatever I am riding, it is much more comfy than anything else I have tried and still performs well. I just picked up another one at Performance on clearance for even less so I can stop swapping now!
Submitted by
SR92
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2010
Strengths: The Pure V Race saddle is very comfortable. I ride cross country, single track and a small amount of downhill and I have found the saddle is very good with the slight rise in the back versus saddles that taper. I first tried it on the Pivot Firebird and immediately put it on my list.
Weaknesses: Probably the weight may be an issue, but WTB manufactures many saddles with lighter weight materials. Since I am a little heavier than optimal at this point, I don't count grams (yet), so the Pure V Race saddle is good enough for me.
Bottom Line:
This is an all around great saddle built for those spending time in the saddle. i like it because I tend to sit on the saddle for most of the ride. The rise in the back end of the saddle provides an option for comfort and an increase in angle of attack for some of the steep descents.
Similar Products Used: Stock seat on my Hardrock Pro
Bike Setup: 2005 Hardrock Pro, WTB Pure V seat, WTB MotoRaptor Race tires, ODI Rouge Lock-on grips....more upgrades coming!!!
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Submitted by
analogmike
a Weekend Warrior
from Kelowna, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2009
Strengths: Comfortable, doesn't hurt my sit bones. Looks good.
Weaknesses: Price?
Bottom Line:
I'm a bigger guy, 6'1", 195lbs and this saddle is great for me. I can ride for hours and not be sore. At first it seemed a little wide to get behind it on the really steep downhills but I've gotten used to it and don't notice the width anymore (my old saddle was very narrow). I would definitely recommend this saddle to anyone looking for a little more comfort than a race saddle offers.
Strengths: It's surprisingly comfortable. Shape looks good with many bikes, although color options could be a little wider. Rails do not crimp easily. Can take surprising amounts of torque without breaking. Strong material. Center channel makes it pleasant to sit on.
Weaknesses: Weaknesses? Well, the nose digs into my... uh... on longer rides. I used to ride this thing without chamois.
Bottom Line:
This thing has great value and versatility. Black does go with anything, although some things are better complimented with color.
Surprisingly comfortable, even without pants with chamois. Not recommended, but it works. The thing hurts after three hours in normal pants. (Not a great comparison, but I had to let people know.) Center channel is very ergonomic. Material survived repeated abuse from nasty wipeouts, especially rear, where the WTB and PureV logos are printed.
Great saddle.
Similar Products Used: WTB Silverado, Selle Italia X0
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Submitted by
mtn hack
a Cross Country Rider
from N. CO
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2009
Strengths: Comfort
Weaknesses: Durability
Bottom Line:
The synthetic interior panels wore very fast and peeled away from the saddle in a number of places. A very comfortable saddle became a complete mess in a matter of 3 rides (after 1 year of use).
No wrecks to blame it on. I tend to baby my equipment, especially this last year with a minimal amount of riding compared to previous years, so this seemed to be premature to me. Had this saddle lasted another season, it might have gotten higher ratings, but one season seems too fast to have to replace it.
Similar Products Used: Koobi enduro, Selle Italia Trans Am Flite
Bike Setup: 5 Spot, not-so light build
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Submitted by
picadilly
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2009
Strengths: lots o padding
Weaknesses: seams are in a bad spot.
Bottom Line:
For the couple months I only went on shorter rides of 2.5 hours or less and it worked well. Went on a 4+ hour ride(saddle time) the other day and could not sit down for 2 days. The seams on the seat created a very distinct rub and swelling for 4 days. I have a hard time even looking at the seat without a shiver going through my body.
Similar Products Used: A low end selle italia, the speed V, Dr. Air, BMB ******
I'm currently using a Velo MTB race profile saddle.
Bike Setup: GT avalanche 1.0, SLX crank and brakeset, Amoeba straight seatpost, Truvativ XC straight OS bar, zoom sidebar, mavic 117 with deore hubs on maxxis detonators.
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Submitted by
aballz
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco, CA
Date Reviewed: December 28, 2008
Strengths: Very comfortable. The neck is skinny so your legs are free to pedal. Came with my Avalanche 1.0. Much better than the WTB Speed V on my older GT bike.
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
Great saddle, perfect for my sit bones. No soreness or numbness. Neck on the Speed V is too wide and doesn't provide the cushion needed for my sit bones. Pure V is perfect!
Submitted by
Diamondhead
a Weekend Warrior
from Jersey, UK Channel Islands
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2008
Strengths: It's black????
Weaknesses: It's weak and heavy
Bottom Line:
The saddle came with my bike, I dont know if it was the Pure V Race, or Pro, or Stealth, all I know is that it should be called Pure Crap! the rails seem to be made of spaghetti, and it weighs a ton! I could forgive the weight if it was strong, however the rails collapsed riding off a 3 inch curb, rubbish!!!
I ordered this saddle Wed. and received it today. Just got back from a 20 mile ride (In the snow :eek: ) and this saddle is sooo friken comfortable. I have used Specialized Phenom Read More »
I noticed in the past couple of weeks that my WTB Pure V Race saddle is, well, crooked (see pics).
I don't really feel the saddle being lopsided when I ride and I'm wondering if Read More »