Deva Bike Point

[Dallas Querry]

Years ago, in one of the bike shops I worked for, I knew three riders who absolutely swore by the WTB Deva saddle. A women's-specific designed perch intended "to suit the female form, without the presence of flowers or pink butterflies."

The basic platform has remained the same. A thin but comfortable and supportive layer of padding which is exactly where it needs to be; a stub nose that makes setting fore-aft tilt a more involved process than most other saddles; and, a pair of Ti rails as well as some flex engineered into the base which combine to provide a little extra comfort in the days of ultra-stiff frames with inflexible dropper posts.

I like the look of the geometric finish on the micro-fiber cover as well.

I now find that comfortable dig-deep traction position on the nose of the saddle is rendered obsolete by the steep seat tube angles of the modern mountain bike position. Otherwise, the cradle between the tail and 'bump' is a perfectly powerful and pleasant pedaling position.

I've also been very happy with Specialized's Romin (143mm) and Fizik's Gobi XM. I've ridden a ton of different saddles, like the Volt and Fabric Scoop, that were good. But not 'open my wallet' great. In other words, I generally prefer a pedestal on the narrow end of the spectrum.

The Deva is more forgiving than the Moon but not so soft to transmit weirdly wallowing waterbed sensations. It's firm yet sensitive. Like a modern dad. That forgiveness is comparing two saddles with Ti rails so it is coming from some combination of WTB's 'DNA' padding, flex engineered into the base, or the variations in shape.

By the numbers the Deva is not significantly different than the WTB Volt. It's a good comparison as the Volt is a commonly spec'd OE saddle. The numbers are so similar, and the fit so different, what makes the Deva special is definitely the shape.

For the record, the Deva has a 142mm width where I've ridden the Volt in both 135mm and 142mm. I definitely prefer the 142mm Volt. The Deva is a short saddle at 257mm but the Volt isn't very long in its own right at 265mm. The Volt also has an angled nose which is unused real estate except for the steepest climbs.

The Deva is a very short saddle. I'd guess the shortest I've ever ridden on a mountain bike. But in subtracting the nose perch from the Moon, the area I sit in is actually very similar in size and feel. As I mentioned, with the steep seat angles on most bikes positioning me right over the pedals I don't miss the additional on-the-rivet position riding current machines.

I don't want to make it sound like the Deva is a man's saddle neatly packaged as a women's specific product. I know a lot of women who ride it and say good things about it. I know of four men who think it's totally awesome. That total includes my friend Brad and I.

I think, as Anna coined in her MSB comment, it comes down to huge variations in preference and physiology and really it's a conversation about human-specific design. Saddles are the most personal component on a bike and from timeless Brooks to crazy Tioga Spyders it behooves riders to figure out what works best for them.

The WTB Deva is definitely worth checking out for any riders who love the Moon and have steep seat angles. It is also a great option for men or women who haven't found other saddles that work for them. Dudes, if you can't get conformable on your bike, give it a try.

Not a seat I like - as Andy says, that's how saddles go. Have you tried the Chromag Trailmaster? I know a few people who own/like the Pure and the Trailmaster LtD even though they look quite different.

I needed a new saddle and decided to try out the Deva after all the NSMB-hype. I set it up as I have my earlier saddles, quite far forward and with an ever so slight downwards tilt on the nose. First couple of rides I really didnt find it all that great ass-wise, and I got bruises on the inner thigh of my rearward leg from contacting the rather wide profile of the saddle.

Then I re-read this article and set it up as Andrew, putting it farther back on the rails and tilting the nose a wee bit upwards, and DAMN that felt so much better. Taking some deep slurps of the Deva-Kool-Aid now.

HAHAHAHA. On the one hand some saddles are a bit counter-intuitive for setup - Chromag Moon/Mood is a great example in terms of finding the sweet spot - but on the other hand, drink in that Deva Kool-Aid!

Specialized Henge 143 on my Bronson and a Power 143 on the cross bike. I like the Moon as well. The Power has what looks and feels like the same shape as the Henge but with a tender bits hole and really short nose.

You can't work in bikes as long as I have and not come in contact with Selle SMP. The majority of people (myself included) I know who've tried them wouldn't agree with you. And that's generally road use.

You probably can apply the same logic (size fitting) to other seat brands I speculate. If your sit bones are 125mm apart the chromag moon (@135mm) will not be comfortable on an AM/Enduro ride and maybe not even the 140 deva depending on how you ride.

Its the same model with a different name. I asked the guys at Chromag about it last time I was up at their shop in Whistler. Turns out someone else has a saddle called 'Moon' so they decided to make things easier by changing theirs to 'Mood'

Trying to figure out a new saddle for the up, across, and down bike. Need to find a saddle that's like the Deva, just with the longer nose of the Moon DT. Didn't get along with the Lynx, nose was too soft. Ergon?

I don't have a third option. I also wish the Moon (Mood) still had a Ti rail option. ACTUALLY... I wish that Chromag made a Mood LTD with the solid Ti rails and oiled leather cover of the Trailmaster LTD. The Trailmaster doesn't fit my ass as well but otherwise it's an amazing piece of kit.

The swim route starts from the Groves and is essentially the same as the Olympic course with an additional 200m before the turn around point making it 1000m upstream / 900m downstream, exiting at the slip road by the Boathouse Inn. There is a single rolling start from 0700. The river is about 80m wide for the whole course so there is plenty of room for all.

The middle distance incorporates a rolling start from 07:00, swimmers will go down the ramp in pairs every 5 seconds then across the start mat and then jump into the water to immediately start the swim from the jetty on the Groves. The swim goes up the right side of the river to the turn around point.

You should keep all the buoys on your left when passing. Yellow buoys are used to mark the route out and red buoys will mark the route back. You must not swim in the restricted zone in the middle of the river between the yellow and red buoys.

Exit the river using the ramp adjacent to the Boathouse Inn, there is a 50m run up the road which will be matted before a short flight of steps and about 25m of uphill tarmac path which will be matted too before running accross the grass to transition.

The route exits from Grosvenor Park at the North West corner and proceeds along Union Street into Park Street and Duke Street then heading out of the City over the Old Dee Bridge. The course then follows Eton road out to Eccleston, through Pulford, Rossett before heading east through Borras Head and Borras, it then drops onto the new fast Wrexham Industrial Estate Relief Road where you complete a lap of Wrecsam Industiral Estate on the first lap only before heading back to Chester along Sibberfield Lane and Chester Road. Upon arriving at Sandy Lane a single lane will be closed to traffic for the return to Grosvenor Park through Boughton.

The bike route heads out from the North West exit from Grosvenor park onto Little St John Street before heading down Park Street and Duke Street onto Old Dee Bridge. All the roads till you get over the bridge are closed to traffic. Once over the bridge you head out on Eaton Road towards Eccleston.

Once in Eccleston turn right and head down Rake Lane turning left onto the B5445 Wrexham Road, continue for 6.5km through Pulford, Lavister and Rossett. There is a small section of 20mph, please stick to the speed limit. There is a pedestrian crossing in Rossett which will hopefully be turned off, if not we will have marshals minimising the use of the crossing but if they are on red you must stop and you will be credited with your stopping time.

Middle Distance Extra Loop (First Lap Only, Pink Signs Starting at Number 1)
Follow the A5156 onto the A534 for about 2km then turn right at the roundabout (you will need to be in the right hand lane of the dual carridgeway) onto the Wrexham Industiral Estate. Once in the estate, take the left turn at the first roundabout and follow the road. At the T Junction turn right and continue to follow the road round the the first roundabout where you turn left and head back to the main road. Turn right onto the main A534 on exiting the estate.

Continue for about 6km on the A534 before turning left onto Sibbersfield Lane B5130. There is a right turn 2km from turning off the main road which will be policed to give you right of way. Proceed for 10km through Churton and Aldford before arriving in Huntingdon, there are several pedestrian crossings which should be turned off.

Do not enter the park on your first lap, but continue past the park (drink station is as you pass the park before you rejoin the route for the second lap). Take care as other athletes will be exiting transition as you pass.

The run route follows the Olympic course to the turnaround point before heading about 300m further along the riverside path to the turnaround point. It then returns on the same route as the Olympic Distance. You need to complete 5 laps.

The route exit transition from the South West corner and descends down to the lower paths, through the arch and then out the park via the South West corner and onto The Groves. The route heads downstream on The Groves and onto the Old Dee Bridge before heading upstream on the river path under the suspension bridge and into the meadows. Head up to the turnaround point and then back out the meadows onto Lower Park Road. Head back over the river on the suspension bridge, for the first 4 laps proceed back onto The Groves. After you have completed the 5th lap head back into the park up the hill and onto the finish straight.

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