WTB have a brilliant way of ensuring that your saddle fits properly, and ensures that your next saddle will fit you properly on the bike you are mounting it to. The WTB fit tool is easy to use and delivers an accurate saddle recommendation tailored to your bike in seconds.
Proper saddle fit is very important- a saddle that fits you properly will keep you comfortable, boost power output, and increase bike control. A poorly fitting saddle can have an equal number of negative effects (we all remember the bad rap bike seats got in the ’90’s). For more information on the basics of saddle fit, check out this article.
The WTB difference:
WTB’s saddle fit system slips over the saddle you are currently using, and registers your ischial tuberosity position using a gel pad. The benefit to this system is that it checks your real-world fit measurement, on the bike that you’ll actually be riding. Many other saddle fit tools measure sit bone width off the bike, then transfer those numbers over- which can miss important fitting details, as effective sit bone width changes depending on bike setup. This makes the WTB saddle fit system one of the most accurate systems out there, not to mention one of the easiest to use.
Steps for use:
1. Remove anything in your back pockets.
2. Center yourself on the fitting pad, and pedal until you find your ‘home position’ on the saddle. Pedal there for a few seconds.
3. Get off the bike, and using the supplied ruler, measure the distance between the impressions on the pad. If you’re wearing jeans or padded shorts the reading can be more difficult, but the setup of WTB’s saddle fit system is such that the darkest spot of the impression will be the center of the riders sit bones.
4. Map the effective sit bone width onto your saddle of choice, to make sure your saddle is fitting properly, or use the fit guide on the back of the ruler to identify your ideal width saddle. Ensure that your sit bones aren’t right on the edge of the saddle, and that there isn’t too much extra material on either side.
WTB’s saddle fit system is easy to use, accurate, and will leave you confident that the saddle you choose will fit both you and your bike the best that it possibly can. Head to your local Live to Play Sports dealer to try one out!
