The WCS Streem Carbon Rail saddle is Richey’s top offering, with carbon rails and a carbon shell, it is light but that lack of weight comes at a price. Playing safe and adopting a shape similar to the SLR, it could almost be mistaken for the Carbonio version of the Selle Italia classic. However with the SLR’s following this can’t be a bad design move and being my saddle of preference, I was looking forward to testing the Streem out.
Firm, thin, lightweight saddles always look deceptively uncomfortable. With them mounted on my bikes, friends and family often question how I still have blood flowing to my nether regions but don’t be fooled, with the right shape and amount of flex, they can be a comfy and pleasant perch for your posterior.
The Richey offers 147g (Richey says 145g) of carbon and Lorica. Lorica, a hard wearing synthetic leather often found on SIDI shoes, may be less glamorous than the true thing, but is, I think, a more sensible choice for saddles. The leather on my SLR quickly wore and peeled away from its shell but the Streem shows no signs of doing the same, even with my cross bike as the test rig.
The carbon rails on the Streem are an oversized 8x8.5mm and connect to the shell at “vector wings”. This provides the perfect amount of flex to allow the saddle to mould slightly and create a very comfortable ride. The saddle is 135mm x 270mm and I found it fitting to my behind, in fact more comfortable than my SLR, the wing sections are a better shape.
Verdict
As racey saddles go you can’t go far wrong with the Streem. Its £126 price tag is a little steep but not out of place for a carbon rail saddle. Less performance orientated riders can opt for the titanium railed version although this may not provide the same flex which makes the carbon version so pleasant to sit on. Its found a permanent place on my cross bike and perhaps next seasons race bike too.
If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website
road.cc test report
Make and model: Ritchey Streem Carbon saddle
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
9/10
Rate the product for value:
5/10
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes, no uncomfortable rides were had
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Age: 21 Height: 184cm Weight: 64kg
I usually ride: Orbea Asphalt My best bike is: Orba Alma G10
I've been riding for: Under 5 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Semi pro
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, club rides, mtb,
"Causing serious injury by dangerous driving and grievous bodily harm with intent" That's an odd way of describing attempted murder
Cyclus Campagnolo "hub cap" tools for Record-style hubs should be on the list. They're expensive and not something you need very often, but the...
Really sad for all the staff who have lost their jobs, especially if the above is true and minimum legal notice periods were not met etc. Like the...
You can't have fresh water because I want to drive my car:...
Isn't it the end user that should be choosing? The developer is providing what is requested (presumably based on feedback, marketing dept and so on...
These things happen so often yet every single one of them still produces a sickening feeling when I read about it....
Winter sucking in air through the mouth, soon will breathe in the first bug, then trying to get enough air through the nose until winter comes...
Since pedestrians don't yet have to wear number plates perhaps I need to get some signs made up with his face on them and zip tie them to the lamp...
Yes. They don't change from year to year.
Great to read about someone who knows their own mind. Well done Stu!