WTB Volt Team saddle

Since saddle comfort is mostly about fit, it’s tough to review them. What I find comfortable might feel horrible to you, so we must stress that finding the right saddle usually requires trying a few out. The Volt is now offered in three widths to increase the odds of a good fit (I liked the 135 millimeter).

The rails, however, are short–if you need a lot of fore-aft adjustment, you may need to shop elsewhere. Most saddles these days have a pressure-relief area in the center, and the Volt is no exception. The back flairs up a bit to keep the rider in position, and the nose slopes in the front with a gentle downward curve, so steep climbs don’t feel like you just dropped the soap. Out of all the seats in the test, the Volt has the cushiest foam, but not so cushy that you sink into it. The Team version has titanium rails, but it’s also available with carbon, cromoly and steel.

PRICE 130$

Cannondale Trail SL 29 SS

The fat aluminium tubes are a constrast to the skinny items seen elsewhere in the test, but this rigid Cannondale uses them to create one of the most old-school - and lightest - rides here.

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KONA SHRED

With a reputation for no-nonsense ruggedness and a background in the always progressive and punishing riding of Canada, Kona have been building hardcore hardtails for longer than almost anyone else. The Shred is the most expensive bike on test but it’s a proper trail tank.

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SKS Airbuster CO2 inflator

The alloy Airbuster has a large knob so you can regulate the flow of gas, a mechanical stop to prevent the cartridge being pierced in transit and a dust cap to keep the valve free of debris. While it works with Presta and Schrader valves, switching between them requires a fiddly change of the valve head. The thin rubber sleeve doesn’t provide much protection from cold spent canisters. You can’t insert much of the valve into the inflator head, so you have to be careful to avoid leaks. Price $33 w/16g cartridge

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