The Silverado is a staple saddle for WTB, finding itself as a standard fitment on a range of bikes, and for 2023, the brand revisited its design, giving it a host of new interesting new tech with great results. Whereas the previous saddle presented a few bugbears, this fresh model solves a number of those – but this model is also marginally more expensive than other carbon saddles.
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WTB Silverado 265 Medium Fusion Form Carbon – Technical details
Back in 2019, I tested the original version of the Silverado Carbon and while I gelled with the saddle’s shape, I had issues with the comfort it offered over long durations. Since then, WTB has gone back to the drawing board and has brought its latest Fusion Form tech into the mix.
Fusion Form is the new base that’s found on the Silverado that is made up of a special mix of fibre and nylon, and each saddle in WTB’s range gets a slightly different combination in order to achieve a desired flex profile. For this saddle, it’s all about efficiency in a forward leaning position and the brand says that the fibre balance in this saddle balances flex with support.
The other bonus that Fusion Form offers is that the saddle’s padding can be recessed into the base which thins the saddle down a bit but without actually slimming down the foam. This tech also uses special mapping that detects where pressure was found on the old saddle which resulted in WTB’s decision to make its latest Silverado flatter, in order to even out any present pressure.
Other changes are that the Silverado is now shorter at 265mm in length. WTB says that this is handy for when you’re getting on and off the bike while offering plenty of space to move around on the saddle. It also keeps the nose of the saddle from interfering with clothing during harder efforts, and its new flatter profile aids both of these features.
Elsewhere, things are identical to before. There’s the Comfort Zone that we saw on the old saddle which works as a semi-cut out but instead of being cut out of the foam, it’s cut out of the base. The idea here is that it provides some relief around the sensitive parts.
The upper is covered by a microfibre cover that the brand reckons looks and feels similar to leather but it’s anti-microbial and it’s not made from animal. It’s also said that this cover helps the foam to support the sit bones while remaining durable.
As for weight, this one tips the scales at 195g isn’t too shabby, but it’s 29g heavier than the previous model. There are a number of rail options available including steel, chromoly, and titanium, and the Silverado can be picked up in narrow (135mm) and medium (142mm) widths.
WTB Silverado 265 Medium Fusion Form Carbon – Performance
Having been a fan of the original Silverado’s shape, WTB’s changes were met with interest, to say the least, but in practice, those changes are very subtle. The shorter nose makes the biggest difference as there’s not quite as much space to move around but the pros outweigh the cons, as this tweak does exactly what was aimed, it stops shorts from snagging. The nose is slightly wider too, so if anything, support around this area is a little better than before. And I think its aesthetic has improved in the process.
The rear of the saddle is just about wide enough for me and offers a good level of support while pedalling in general.
However, the biggest improvement comes in the Fusion Form tech. Deep into rides on the old saddle, there were noticeable pressure points that eventually became fairly uncomfortable. Now, with Fusion Form, I’m able to ride in the saddle with much more comfort over a similar ride length. It’s a big difference and one that’s worth dropping the extra cash for.
As is the saddle’s new flatter profile. This offers more room to move around over the bike while making the saddle look far less bulky with the same amount of padding as before, which is another plus to the saddle’s newfound comfort. It’s versatile too, finding a comfortable home aboard gravel and mountain bikes.
Even though WTB has clearly built some positive improvements into the latest version of the Silverado, there are still some downsides. It’s great to see two width options available but it would be even better to see another wider size going up to 150mm in width at least in order to cater to those with wider sit bones.
WTB Silverado 265 Medium Fusion Form Carbon – Value and verdict
Before its update, the Silverado in its carbon guise cost £180 which is a lot of money but considering its construction, it was right in line with other carbon saddles. This new iteration of the saddle doesn’t come without a bump in price, costing £200 this time.
Whether this extra money is worthwhile is a whole new subject but if you’re a huge fan of the Silverado but like me, found it a little uncomfortable during long rides, that’ll justify the extra £20. However, there are a number of carbon saddles at this price point, including the SDG Bel Air 3.0 (here’s our review of the alloy version) which is £10 cheaper than the Silverado. This is a great saddle with a shape that I prefer but it doesn’t get that fancy Fusion Form tech. It is claimed to weigh 181g, however.
SQlab’s 612 Ergowave Carbon saddle is cheaper too at around £160 and comes with a host of interesting tech that’s included for comfort and correct sizing. It also comes in four widths from 120mm up to 150mm. It’s claimed to weigh 146g in a similar width too.
The small changes that WTB has made to the Silverado 265 Medium Fusion Form Carbon saddle are small but they don’t go unnoticed. Its new shape avoids snagging while still offering the same level of support and manoeuvrability has been boosted through its new lower profile. However, the biggest improvement comes thanks to the new Fusion Form tech that makes this a pleasure to ride with over long distances. However, it’s heavier than before and more expensive.
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