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WTB High Tail Pro Review

A stiff, lightweight saddle designed for increased tire clearance, best reserved for the racer or experienced rider
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WTB High Tail Pro Review (WTB High Tail Pro)
WTB High Tail Pro
Credit: WTB
Price:  $120 List
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Manufacturer:   WTB
By Nick Bruckbauer & Curtis Smith  ⋅  Oct 24, 2019
72
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Comfort - 30% 7.0
  • Performance - 30% 8.0
  • Versatility - 20% 5.0
  • Durability - 10% 8.0
  • Weight - 10% 9.0

Our Verdict

WTB no longer makes the High Tail Pro saddle.
REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Durable
REASONS TO AVOID
Narrow
Uncomfortable
The WTB High Tail Pro is an enduro-specific saddle designed to prevent tire-to-saddle contact on long-travel mountain bikes. Rear tire contact with the tail of a saddle can be an issue on longer travel enduro bikes, particularly of the 29" wheel variety. The High Tail Pro is designed with a cutout tail to provide a bit of extra clearance to mitigate the issue. The unique shape combined with a very firm, performance-oriented shell and padding make the High Tail an excellent option for serious gram counting racers, as it's best suited for experienced riders who prefer a firm saddle. If you are new to the sport we would suggest you try a saddle such as the WTB Speed for a more forgiving ride. The High Tail is an ideal saddle for enduro, trail, and cross country mountain bike use.

Our Analysis and Test Results

The High Tail is a firm, narrow saddle designed for racing. Minimal padding and small overall size keep the weight down to an impressive 225 grams on our test model. The cutout tail provides extra tire clearance for long-travel bikes.

Performance Comparison


wtb high tail pro - the high tail is designed with long travel trail and enduro bikes in...
The High Tail is designed with long travel trail and enduro bikes in mind. The cutout in the rear of the saddle provides a bit of extra tire clearance when the dropper post is in the down position.
Credit: Curtis Smith

Comfort


wtb high tail pro - the high tail pro is a very narrow saddle at 128mm.
The High Tail Pro is a very narrow saddle at 128mm.
Credit: Curtis Smith

The High Tail is one of the narrowest saddles we have tested at 128mm in width. The majority of saddles in our test group are somewhere in the 140mm range for width. We had some trepidation about the narrow width, but, surprisingly, we found the width to be adequate for most of our testers. The DNA padding is extremely minimal, and shell flex follows suit; this is a very stiff saddle. We found the padding to be adequate on short rides, or on rides with short climbs where our time in the saddle was minimal, but many riders will wish for a bit more padding.

The flat profile works well for riders who like an aggressive position on the bike. Out on the trail, many riders asked if the cutout in the tail was noticeable. It is not; the design places the cutout in an area that is un-weighted when seated on the saddle, so when you are riding, you don't even notice it. Overall we would not rate the High Tail as an extremely comfortable saddle, due to the minimal padding and lack of shell flex.

Performance


This is designed to be a high-performance saddle; the minimal flex and padding that are somewhat of a detriment to its comfort allow for optimal power transfer. You will not experience any bounce or loss of energy when laying down the power. The shallow channel is just deep enough to relieve pressure for riders that like a low handlebar position. While designed as an enduro saddle, don't be surprised to see this on some XC race bikes.

wtb high tail pro - the high tail pro has a cut out in the shell, to reduce pressure on...
The High Tail Pro has a cut out in the shell, to reduce pressure on sensitive areas.
Credit: Curtis Smith

Versatility


The High Tail is not all that versatile of a saddle. It works well on enduro, trail and XC bikes, but its small overall size and shape limit its usefulness for road or cyclocross use. We like a stiff saddle for cyclocross, but its shell extends beyond the padding and covering, making it prone to catching shorts during remounts. We tried it on the road bike, but the short length and narrow width limited our ability to move around on the saddle.

Durability


We found the High Tail Pro to be a very durable saddle. The plastic shell extends beyond the padding and covering, so if the bike hits the ground, the shell takes the abrasion rather than the cover. We had no issues with durability during testing.

Weight


wtb high tail pro - the high tail pro has cr-mo rails. other versions are available...
The High Tail Pro has CR-MO rails. Other versions are available with titanium and carbon rails to further reduce weight.
Credit: Curtis Smith

The High Tail Pro is impressively light for a saddle with Chromoly rails at 225 grams. The higher-end models that utilize titanium or carbon rails are even lighter. If you are looking to shed some grams, this is an excellent replacement for your OE perch.

Value


We think this saddle provides a great value for $120. Many performance-oriented saddles that employ titanium rails and other high-end materials are heavier and cost substantially more. The High Tail is a fairly affordable way to shed some grams.

Conclusion


The High Tail Pro was designed with a cutout tail to increase tire clearance for long-travel bikes. The result is a very lightweight performance-oriented saddle. It's ideal for experienced riders who like a stiff, narrow saddle.

— Nick Bruckbauer & Curtis Smith
 
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