If you ride a current longer travel, full suspension, big wheel bike you may have noticed that with the short chainstays, slack seattube angle and your standard saddle you are getting rub or buzz on back edge of your saddle (or actual backside) when you plow through your travel range. WTB offers the High Tail saddle to alleviate such issues, and for those of you count grams and love a narrower saddle, the High Tail may be your perfect option. WTB offers the High Tail in a few configurations and we have brought in the Carbon and Team versions. The Carbon has a 7x9 oval carbon rails and a carbon shell, weighing in at a mere 159 grams. The Team has titanium rails with a Flex-Tuned composite shell and moves the dial to 200 grams. Both versions feature a durable WTB microfiber cover and firm, relatively thin DNA padding.

There are three keys to the success of the High Tail. One is that the saddle is short, at 255mm. Two, the rails run far to the back, allowing the saddle to be pushed forward but still mounted safely. Three, the tail is narrow at 128mm max width, and lifted slightly at the rear. All of these aspects reduce the likelihood of getting buzzed by the tire, if not completely eliminating the possibility. Of course, anyone who likes the saddle platform and design can take advantage of the fit option provided by the rails, and many road cyclists with shorter femurs can rejoice. A central zone features depression from the tail to a few inches short of the relatively wide, flat nose, which itself can be a good platform for power when you need to bear down. Keep in mind that the High Tail has thin, firmer padding, such as is found on many minimalist road saddles. Those looking for a cushy, soft saddle need not apply. The lifted tail edges tend to be quite firm as well. Both the carbon rail and titanium rail versions do soak up some vibration, with the Team (titanium rail) offering a little more give with the more supple rails and Flex-Tuned shell. Keep it light, stiff, and out of the way with the WTB High Tail Saddle.