Saddle specialist Selle Italia has unveiled its new triathlon specific saddle – Watt – which was designed in collaboration with pro triathlete Patrick Lange and pro athletes from the BMC-Vifit Pro Triathlon Team.
According to the R&D department at Selle Italia, ‘Watt meets the needs of the most demanding triathletes, guaranteeing an increase in cycling efficiency, greater comfort and a saddle that maximises performance.’
The name is taken from the unit of power. Selle Italia points out that it is ‘more than that: it is a saddle that allows triathletes to cycle with greater efficiency, also thanks to the saddle’s high performance and extreme comfort, three essential parameters for those who take part in triathlon.’
Watt from Selle Italia was developed through research and testing, with Patrick Lange, 2017 and 2018 IRONMAN world champion, and with pro-athletes from the BMC-Vifit Triathlon Team.
The saddle is available in two versions: Watt Kit Carbon Superflow with carbon rail for maximum performance, and Watt Gel Superflow with TI316 rail and a layer of gel inside the padding – in the front – for greater saddle comfort. Both saddles have a central Superflow cutout and come in one size.
Selle Italia notes that the body of the Watt saddle has a rail which is 10mm longer than traditional saddles, ‘thus allowing even more precise adjustments to be made to the time trial position.’
Following input from the professional athletes who collaborated in the development of the Watt saddle, the ‘nose’ on the Watt has been widened to 50mm and the saddle’s ‘cover’ has an insert in ‘high grip material, with an anti-slip function’. The optimum sitting point, where the saddle measures 133mm in width, ‘has been moved further back in order to allow a greater sidecut of the saddle and to increase comfort when pushing.’
Selle Italia adds that a ‘rack rubber insert has been put into the lower part of the nose which coincides with the bike’s point of support on the racks in the triathlon change-over area: a support, recognisable by the red in the Kit Carbon Superflow model and the grey for the Watt Gel Superflow, which makes the support safe whilst protecting the saddle from any impacts.’
The Kit Carbonio Superflow weighs 200g, whilst the TI316 – the Watt Gel Superflow – weighs 235g.
The Watt Kit Carbonio Superflow has an RRP of €249.90 (£239.90). The Watt Gel Superflow is priced at €169.90 (£159.90).
