There are many reasons someone might opt for a relatively short road saddle, and WTB has been paying attention what riders are looking for. The SL8 measures out as Narrow at 127mm (!) and Short at 255mm. Now, you have to fit and enjoy a narrow saddle to enjoy the SL8. And you likely also prefer a short saddle for fit and general mobility/clearance reasons. Gravel and endurance road cyclists can understand this, as can cyclocrossers. XC and Trail mountain bikers already know the story. The less saddle you have to maneuver around, the easier it is to ride more technical terrain, as well as mount and dismount quickly and freely. WTB offers the SL8 Saddle 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 sexy 149 grams. The Team has titanium rails with a Flex-Tuned composite shell and keeps things svelte at 189 grams. Both versions feature a durable WTB microfiber cover and firm, relatively modest DNA padding.

The shape, from the top view looks pretty normal. A wider tail that reduces before the midpoint to a tapered, reasonably long nose. From the side, this is clearly a WTB saddle, with it's slightly raised tail and drop nose. But keep in mind that this is happening in a 255mm long saddle, so while it is proportionally normal, it is shorter overall. The compact design is going to favor riders with very narrow sit bone support requirements and generally choose minor fore-aft movement. The central relief channel relieves pressure, while the EVA padding manages pressure and impacts. The beauty of the SL8 is that you get a full featured, fairly traditionally shaped saddle, in a compact design. Those looking for a cushy, soft, roomy saddle must move on. The lifted tail edges tend to be firm. 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.

Our take on the SL8 Saddle is that if you read this description and find yourself nodding and saying "finally!" then you have found the right saddle. There clearly is a market for the Narrow-Short concept outside the XC Trail/Race world. Just make sure you love narrow saddles. What we really like about the design is that it really isn't a chopped up, compromised version of a longer saddle. It has all the features and shape, but is simple smaller. WTB makes high quality saddles and if the SL8 Saddle is right for you, jump on it. Then jump off, then back on, and so forth.

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