WTB released its e-bike-focused Devo saddle last year. It features a Pickup handle that provides a simple yet effective way for riders to lift and maneuver e-bikes while also being a helpful grab point for pushing up rough sections of the trail.
I found it highly effective for any bike, regardless of weight, from heavy enduro monsters to light cross-country entities.
Pickup Handle for Heavy Lifting
The additional weight of e-bikes creates new challenges when lifting your bike onto a rack, moving it around the garage, or hoisting it over rocks and roots on unrideable sections of the trail. The Devo saddle solves this problem with its pickup handle, which helps lift or push an e-bike in both transport and on-trail situations. While they designed and tested the Devo specifically for e-mtb, its pickup handle has also proved helpful for urban riders who load their bikes with groceries or other heavy loads.
As I mentioned, the handle is highly functional for any bike, especially on technical terrain, when carrying on hike-a-bikes, and it is just plain an effective tool for grabbing the bike.
Unnoticeable While Pedaling
While it may look like the hole interferes with where you sit on the saddle, they placed Pickup behind the sit bone contact area to make it unnoticeable while pedaling. They’ve confirmed this through hundreds of ride testing and pressure mapping hours. Pickup provides an easy way to lift, push, and transport your e-bike without sacrificing pedaling comfort.
I never noticed the cutout slot, and it rode just like any other saddle, even when sitting on the very rear portion.
Fiber-Infused Fusion Form Base
Their new Fusion Form base technology allows them to fine-tune the amount of fiber infused into the nylon of each specific saddle model to create a flex profile that balances comfort, support, and durability to match the intended use of a saddle. They reduced the amount of fiber in the Devo’s Fusion Form base, which improved base flex and damping to make it more forgiving and comfortable while pedaling over rough terrain.
I tested the stainless steel version and found that Devo’s Fusion Form base offered plenty of comfortable flex, give, and enough damping to smooth out rough trails.
The Devo features a medium level of padding thickness, eliminating pressure points in the sit bone area while still providing lasting comfort for quick laps and full-length adventures. The width outline of the Devo gradually increases through the front half of the saddle before quickly widening out to create the primary area for sit bone support. This allows you to stay seated in a locked-in position and crank hard without the insides of your thighs rubbing on the saddle edges. Its short 260mm overall length and rounded tail profile prevent the Devo from snagging your shorts while moving on and off the saddle, making it easier to return to a seated position quickly.
I found the saddle comfortable without feeling squishy, with just the proper padding thickness. Their Love Channel down the saddle’s center provided soft tissue relief, making long rides more tolerable.
One Width. Two Padding Options
The Devo is available in a Medium (142mm) width, designed to best fit riders with sit bones 100-130mm apart. Versions of the Devo with cromoly or stainless steel rails feature their HLX padding, while the model with titanium rails features their premier DNA padding. HLX padding is plusher than their DNA padding, which makes it an excellent option for those who prioritize squishiness rather than weight savings. DNA is their high-performance padding that holds its shape incredibly well to provide unbeatable comfort and support on long rides while minimizing saddle weight.
I tested the stainless steel version, which offered the HLX padding. It was plush enough for my tastes and long hammering days on rugged and smooth terrain. It only comes in a medium width, which covers a 100mm to 130mm sit bone width, which was close enough for my usual default 140mm.
The suggested retail price of the Devo is $95.95 for Cromoly rails (HLX padding), $119.95 for stainless steel rails (HLX padding), and $142.95 for titanium rails (DNA padding.)
- Measured – Stainless Steel weight 242 grams
Bottom Line
It was designed to help move and pick up heavy e-bikes, but it is excellent and highly functional for my standard Ibis Exie x-country bike. It was super helpful on hike-a-bikes on technical terrain, picking up my bike for maintenance, and tossing my bike into the bed of my truck. I never noticed the slot cutout while riding, and it felt like a standard saddle while pedaling. The shape and outline of the saddle were practical for maneuvering around, especially on technical stuff. I liked the blunt nose when you wanted to crank up on the saddle on steep climbs. The Devo felt plush without feeling too squishy and offered adequate flex, damping, and feel on any terrain. It is a great functional and comfortable saddle for long and short days, and the pickup handle is a perfect tool for carrying and tossing around your bike.
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