Submitted by
BokorSolo
a Cross Country Rider
from Virginia
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2011
Strengths: Stitching and material is strong and durable. Comfortable for all day riding and remaining seated while climbing.
Weaknesses: Would be nicer if it had the whale tail design that is featured on the higher end saddles.
Bottom Line:
This saddle has been great. I started with this saddle and used it for years then I upgraded to the Rocket V when I wanted to try something new. After a year on the Rocket, the rails broke and I slammed the old Speed Comp back on there and it's still as awesome as day 1.
Submitted by
heybrady
a Weekend Warrior
from Cleveland
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2010
Strengths: Comfortable
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I was getting some tingling after about 30 minutes into my ride so I started looking on this site and noticed a large majority of riders had this seat. Reviews seemed favorable and it was on sale at Performance, so I figured it was worth a shot.
Been on three rides with it and have had no discomfort at all. It is firm but super supportive. Recommended it to a couple of friends already.
Bike Setup: Schwinn Mesa mostly stock. Upgrades to follow.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
barrytroter
a Downhiller
from cardiff (WALES)
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2010
Strengths: hi, i payed £650 for the bike (giant talon 1) i dont no haow much the seat is worth but the seat is a great seat only downer is that for me on long journeys it isnt to comfortable but a great seat and bike the bike is a very good and strong bike and i highley recomend it !!
Weaknesses: on long range trips it isnt to comfortable
Bottom Line:
great seat and it is very durable and great for everything realy.
Submitted by
Patrick Carney
a Cross Country Rider
from Esopus, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2008
Strengths: Comfortable, Durable.
Weaknesses: Weight (400g), it's only about 150 grams heavier than most $100 saddles though.
Bottom Line:
Comfortable all day long, isn't that really all that matters? No quirks (I can attach a seatbag to the rails, unlike the Selle I had earlier), just a tad on the heavy side but for 30 bucks, who cares? I give it only 4 overall chillies 'cause of the weight, but unless you'll lose sleep over 150 extra grams on your bike, make it cinco peppers.
Submitted by
Asa
a Weekend Warrior
from Milton, Florida, USA
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2007
Strengths: Cheap, mostly waterproof (important for use on a campus commuter do-it-all bike that gets left out in the rain) comfortable and looks good.
Weaknesses: Not the lightest thing going, and long term durability is a bit suspect- we'll see what a year of rain and sun do to the synthetic leather... but for a shade over $15, who's complaining?
Bottom Line:
Compared to other saddles I have tried in the sub-twenty dollar price range, this one blows them all away. I don't know how it stacks up to $40 saddles, but it works perfectly for me. Saddle fit seems to be a very personal thing... so I suppose that buying online is always a bit of a crapshoot, but I can tell you that this saddle fits my skinny behind like it was made for it. :)
Similar Products Used: Stock bontrager seat on my trek 4500, numerous other stock saddles and department store-grade saddles.
Bike Setup: 2002 Trek 4500 with new Sun rims and Deore wheelset, bb7's, FSA crankset, and one very worn out and soon to be replaced (but almost indestructible) Judy TT fork.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Hank
a Cross Country Rider
from San Antonio, TX USA
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2007
Strengths: Great Price. Looks sharp and of good construction. HUGE improvement over my bikes stock brutal saddle of pain and death. I read great reviews about this saddle and had to give it a shot. Simply awesome.
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
Buy this sucker. Your wallet and your crotch will love you for it. I am a big dude (6'4" and 280 lbs) and this saddle supports me very comfortably. I haven't tried any other saddles for comparison, so there may be better ones out there, but for the price and the number of excellent reviews it has received, I really think you cant go wrong. We just got my wife a Hardrock Comp and after about 2 minutes on pavement she could no longer ride on her seat. We swapped seats and while the Speed V Comp is not a Women's specific saddle she was quite impressed with it as well and we will likely be getting on for her as well.
Submitted by
Patrick
a Cross Country Rider
from NNJ, USA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2006
Strengths: Very comfortable. Not too heavy.
Weaknesses: Material tears easily.
Bottom Line:
I'm pretty happy with this saddle. My OE saddle kept hurting my bottom. Ever since I put this saddle on, I haven't felt any pain at all. Overall, a very worthwhile investment!
On another note, the material it's made of isn't as durable as it could be. One drop and the side corner will scrape up pretty easily.
Submitted by
Nick
a Weekend Warrior
from Massachusetts
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2006
Strengths: Great look, seems comfortable at first (and probably is for others), amazing value
Weaknesses: Uncomfortable after short rides, too wide and hard for a skinny or lightweight rider, poor construction (OE models)
Bottom Line:
After hearing all the rave reviews, I had to try it over my crappy plastic mesh saddle. At first it seemed as if it was comfortable, maybe a little hard for my taste. After only 20 minutes of trail riding everything was numb. Tried readjusting numerous times but could not get it to feel right. I'm 140 and 5'11 with narrow hips, and it just did not work for me, and really pressed against my sit bones. Returned it after using for a week, learned the lesson of try before you buy. I bought the "GT" OE version, and the cheap staples holding the cover on were falling off as well - might not be a problem on the original.
Similar Products Used: Stock Velo saddle, other nameless saddles
Bike Setup: '95 Trek 930
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Longwood, FL
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2006
Strengths: Price Comfort
Weaknesses: could be lighter occasional creaks
Bottom Line:
This saddle has proven to be an excellent choice. It is simple, cheap, and comfy. Did a 50 miler with no complaints. It isn't the lightest saddle and will let out a creak every once in a while but not very loudly. For 20 bucks I don't think there is a better choice. I would definately buy again.
I have ridden this saddle for quite a while. I have logged many miles on and off the road in this seat. I'm a pretty small rider at 5'8", 145 pounds, and I have never experienced any serious numbness/soreness, even after 4 hours of road riding. The Speed V is endlessly better than the stock hard, flat saddle that came on my bike. My only complaint is that a small tear (~1" long) has developed on the seam where the material folds over the bottom of the shell on one side of the saddle. I have a feeling it will eventually peel up, and lead to the deterioration of the seat over time, but it hasn't yet!
Final words: This is a pretty nice saddle for all around riding usage. The comfort level will vary from person to person, but based on other reviews it seems to be fairly reliably comfortable. This may not be the best choice for downhill thrashers, or the obsessively weight conscious. Though if you are looking for a versatile, and comfortable mountain bike saddle that can stand the rigors of day to day use, the WTB Speed V Comp is a good contender.
My rating: 5 chilis for value, and 4 chilis overall because of the tear.
Similar Products Used: Stock "Like a rock" saddle that I gladly removed from my bike.
Bike Setup: 2003 Gary Fisher Tassajara, WTB Speed V Comp, stock otherwise.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Brian Buell
a Racer
from North Richland Hills, Tx
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2005
Strengths: Comfy, Comfy, Comfy
Weaknesses: rails flex a little too much for my riding style, break in period (but mine was only a ride, now it's a sofa)
Bottom Line:
I once rode the original version of this saddle on my '02 Gary Fisher Sugar 3+ Disc. after the break in period I fell in love with the saddle. something happened, I don't remember what but the saddle went away, I may have sold it. Now, working for a different LBS and selling different brand of bike, I'm on a Specialized P.1 setup for Urban Assault. I origianlly outfit the seatpost with the Specialized landing pad (cuz it had flames heh) eventually I started riding to work on my P.1 everyday. with the geometry of the bike the way it is, I have the saddle angled a little higher at the nose. This created a little hot spot you could call it. I began to get concerned about the buds, so I decided to buy this saddle again. I've been on it a week and already the hot spot is gone and I ride for hours and hours without the discomfort I had with the other saddle. Now, with my riding style I might be ruining this sooner than later only because of the flex in the rails, which isn't a bad thing, since my bike is a hardtail and it gives a littel comfort. But with the trials and general balance and hucking, i put a lot of strain on the saddle. so, not the strongest saddle in the world, but with a couple hours in the saddle after new, it will become your new best friend. You will feel at one with your bike once again. If you've never tried one, I suggest you go and buy this one, only cost you about 40-45 bucks at your LBS, which is well worth the money for your homies.
Bottom line: Best saddle I have ever riden, but with my riding style, I only have concern with the steel rails bending on me because of "oops" moments. For the average Cross country rider, This saddle will outlast your bike, and your butt will never forgive you if you get rid of it.
Similar Products Used: Speed V, Specialized Landing Pad, Original WTB saddle (before comfort and Love channel)
Bike Setup: Specialized P.1, 26" ft, 24" rear wheels, Avid Mech disc brakes 8" ft. 6" rr. Sun BFR rear rim laced to Deore hub with solid bolt on Axle. Mavic Deemax ft. wheel, 20mm axle. Marzocchi DJ 2 fork, Truvativ Hussefelt cranks 28/38/BG, Deore Ft. der. SRAM X.9 rear w/ SRAM X.9 trigger shifters (the shiznit), Clarks Self lubricating cables (live up to their name) Maxxis Hookworm tires (did I miss anything?)
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Submitted by
scott
a Weekend Warrior
from chandler
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2005
Strengths: price, comfort
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
This is the only saddle i've owned that i forget it's there. I don't think you can give a seat a higher compliment than that. I have 4 in my garage worth $60 - $110 and they all hurt after an hour. If you've got a wide load to park, i would try it. If your skinnier than i, go for the wtb laser.
Similar Products Used: stock Trek seats, cheapo lycra covered 'gel' seats, wtb sst x.2 (came stock on my bike, was horrible)
Bike Setup: 2002 K2 Zed 1.0 all stock except SRAM 4.0 shifters, this seat, and shimano PD-647 pedals
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Bellingham
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2005
Strengths: Fairly comfortable, the shell held up well. Never Bent the rails, well maybe today a bit...
Weaknesses: Not as comfortable as my WTB Power V saddle. The rails came out of the rear of the seat causing the "Top" to come off after a 5 footer. Almost lost the ol' boys...
Bottom Line:
I'm a little upset the seat broke after 2 years of severe abuse. But the saddle worked well beyond my expectations. I figured a $35 saddle couldnt last this long. Downside is after I purchased a Power V for my bigger bike, I wished I had another for my Bear. Looks like my wish came true! I have a Power V Race DH coming, My wallets $30 lighter and my bikes 50 grams heavier, but I think that thats about a wash for weight.
I have been looking for a saddle for my new Cannondale. I use a Koobi AU Enduro on my road bike and I have been happy overall with it.
Not sure what kind of seat to get for my Read More »
