Although it sounds as though it is an all out racing saddle for the serious road racing cyclists the WTB Speed V saddle is a recreational saddle that has been designed to maximize the comfort of the rider. This is a saddle that is suited to the casual rider either on the road or on a mountain bike.
As well as a significantly well padded rear the nose has also been packed with high padding so that even when climbing there will be plenty of support. The company has built another feature into the saddle that is also designed to alleviate pressure and it is called a Love Channel. As dodgy as the name sounds, it actually refers to a depression in the saddle that is right where the sit bones would normally be placed. The removal of this part of the saddle would weaken its integrity so the channel with plenty of padding on the edges is a great alternative.
The point about this type of saddle as well as other saddles that are made specifically for the casual rider is that it is possible to use a saddle that is comfortable to sit on from the very first ride. The Speed V is a sporty looking saddle and has the same sort of profile that you might expect from a racing saddle. The padding is far more obvious and the weight is significantly more, although it is not what you might term a heavy saddle.
Other types of ways in which a saddle might be designed for the recreational rider includes the use of gel inserts under the saddle cover. Although these inserts create a softer feel for the rider it is not uncommon for the gel to shift to the side giving the rider a sinking feeling or, worse, no padding at all and they are left to sit on the saddle shell. Another drawback with some types of gel saddles is that the rider can feel as though they are sinking into the saddle and there is a commensurate loss of pedal power.
What works for one type of rider is not necessarily going to feel great for another and this is certainly the case with comfort saddles. There are comfort or recreational saddles that are particularly soft and this can be met with great approval from the first person and grave disappointment from the next. A mixture of high padding and a firm shell can provide the best of both worlds.
Anyone who is prepared to put in some solid work in testing out saddles is going to be far more likely to come up with a saddle that best suits their needs. To return to the WTB Speed V saddle, the great thing about choosing this type of saddle is that it only costs around $20. So even if you aren’t completely happy with how it feels you won’t be terribly out of pocket if you feel you want to try a different one.