The WTB Solano SL saddle is aimed at mountain, gravel and all-road duties, and it’s light and supportive. With a friendly shape and flexible base, pedalling is never restricted, and for three to four hour rides I found the comfort good. WTB says this is for ‘intense, shorter rides,’ and take the brand for its word – it’s not going to stay comfortable all day.
- Best mountain bike saddles 2026 – the best off-road options tested
- Posedla Joyseat 3.0 saddle review
- Best gravel bike saddles 2026 – the best off-road options for going long or short
WTB Solano SL – Technical Details
The base is fibre-infused nylon (you’d probably just call it plastic), and while WTB considers it quite a stiff construction, I found it easily gave enough flex for comfort, while still having the rigidity to support your pedalling.
It’s a relatively small saddle at 240mm long; the short nose and rounded tail make it easy to move around without catching when you’re stood up on the pedals.
The padding is slim and relatively flat either side of the wide central channel, and the base features a cutout at the front to reduce pressure on the perineal or frontal areas. It’s solid towards the back, and the padding is continuous, however, which means the saddle still shields you from wheel spray.
Underneath, you get threaded holes to direct-mount accessories or storage, sized to fit products from brands such as PRO.
The Solano SL is also available with carbon rails (162g claimed), and in two widths: 142mm to suit 110-125mm sit bones, and 157mm for riders with 125-155mm sit bones.
At 211g for the medium on our scales, this was a little heavier than the claimed 205g, but it’s by no means heavy.
WTB Solano SL – Performance
Choosing the right saddle is a tricky affair, but WTB has a “Fit Right” system on its site that will calculate your idea width by measuring your… wrist. Yes, really. WTB says there’s a direct correlation between people’s wrist bone widths and sit bone widths, and as it’s clearly easier than measuring your bum we’ll take it. It recommended the 142mm medium width for me, which is what I tested.
This is a well-built saddle and feels like a quality item, although the paint on the rails is already chipping off, which isn’t great. The cover remains immaculate and wear-free, though, looking like new after several hundred kilometres. The matte finish and textured dot-work towards the rear mean grip is good.
I found the shape supported my sit bones well, so I’m confident the “Fit Right” guide is accurate. After around three-four hours of riding, I’d start to notice pressure and discomfort on the sit bones, which I think is down to the slim and firm padding, so I’d say WTB was accurate in its aims as well. It says the SL is aimed at ‘intense, shorter rides,’ and that’s exactly what this is good at.
If you want a saddle for longer rides and need to know how to make sure you get it, don’t miss our sister site’s excellent guide on choosing the right saddle for you and your riding — our top picks for every type of cyclist.
WTB Solano SL – Verdict
At £119 for the titanium rails (£209 for carbon), this is not a cheap saddle, though given the spec and quality, it’s not unreasonable. You can find ti-railed seats cheaper, such as with the Ergon SMS Sport saddle at £80, but while I found it well-built and durable, the profile didn’t work for me.
Alternatively, the WTB Rocket saddle is also £120 for the titanium-railed option, and probably a better choice if you’re looking for all-day comfort.
The WTB Solano SL saddle is a well-built and lightweight option which offers enough support and comfort for around three to four hours of hard riding. Slightly flaky rail paint aside, there’s very little to dislike. Sit-bone pressure does build on 4hr+ rides, so take WTB at its word and either look at the non-SL version for more padding or further afield still if you’re regularly riding further.
You might also like:
- Fair Cycle’s Drop Best boosts saddle adjustment and looks rather odd
- Is there a difference between road and mountain bike saddles?
- Fizik Terra Alpaca X5 + Tool Carrier saddle review
road.cc test report
What does the manufacturer say about this product?:
The Solano SL saddle is built for riders who demand peak performance during intense, shorter riders. Designed with a firmer Fusion Form base and minimal padding, the Solano SL delivers precise support to the sit bones, reducing unwanted pressure on the perineal or frontal areas. Available in medium and wide widths.
Ideal for riders with good flexibility and stability, this saddle accommodates those who tend to rotate their pelvis under harder pedaling loads. While it’s perfect for staying planted in one spot, the short length, low-profile padding, and rounded tail make it easy to move around when riding out of the saddle.
Usage: Mountain/ Gravel / Adventure Road
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of this product:
Solano SL Medium Fusion Form Titanium Black Saddle
110-125mm
142x240mm
Titanium
Microfiber
205g
Any further comments on quality?:
Great build, lovely finishing details. The paint on the rails could be tougher, though.
Any further comments on performance?:
WTB says this is for short, intense rides and for that it’s great.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested?:
This matches similarly priced saddles for quality and performance, even if you can find ti rails on cheaper saddles.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
This does just what it’s designed to do, and it does it well. It’s a good saddle.
About the tester
Age: 25 Height: 173cm Weight: 65kg
I usually ride: Road bike My best bike is: Road bike
I’ve been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Semi pro
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,
