Thank you so much to everyone who came to our 17th-anniversary party last weekend, not just from Nagoya, but from far and wide! We’re diving straight into our 18th year without a moment to catch our breath. Once the anniversary festivities end, the year-end mood really starts to kick in. We will continue to give our all so that we can wrap up the year on a high note, and we appreciate your continued support.
With that said, today I have some restock news to share immediately. The saddle that’s being hailed as the best saddle of the year (according to Shige) is back in stock!
STEVE POTTS BICYCLES Chinook Saddle
Size: 150mm x 278mm
Rail Material: Steel Rails
Price: 7,480 JPY (tax included)
Steve Potts has been building frames since the dawn of the mountain bike movement in the late 70s and early 80s, and is one of the co-founders of WTB.
Regarded as a legend among legends in the world of American frame builders, he continues to craft custom frames today, and has also been energetically developing components based on his own ideas since around 2020. By the way, the man himself apparently loved fishing back in the day, and it was that passion for fishing that inspired him to build his first bike so he could ride through the mountains.
Personally, he’s one of the builders I’d like to order from someday, and hearing that story made me feel a sense of kinship. Plus, seeing him out on casual rides with his dog on the rack—as shown in the photo—is just maximum levels of adorable.
The Chinook saddle, designed by Steve himself, is a delightfully retro-styled saddle with just the right amount of cushioning and a substantial shape. Even at such an accessible price point, it uses real leather, and as soon as I heard it was released, I contacted Steve immediately. After it finally arrived in our last shipment, I tried it out and it was every bit as super comfortable as I’d imagined, so I’ve been boldly declaring it the best saddle of the year.
Here’s how it compares to the WTB Pure series, which is also well-known as a comfortable "cushion" saddle.
There isn't a huge difference in length, but the Chinook is slightly wider. While the Pure is taller, the Chinook also has thick padding, so its cushioning is just as good.
The cutout makes long rides comfortable, and the 150mm width provides a secure, supportive feel for your sit bones. Personally, I highly recommend this saddle for women as well.
Thanks to the drop-nose shape—where the tip of the saddle dips down—and the overall rounded, smooth design, it’s easy to shift your center of gravity. Even on sudden steep inclines, you can slide back on the seat to maintain traction while climbing trails, proving that his experience shaping the mountain bike scene in its early days is truly put to good use here.
The downward-sloping tip also has the benefit of keeping your shorts from getting snagged.
Seriously, for anyone looking for a comfortable saddle, I really recommend it, so please give it a try.
STEVE POTTS BICYCLES Further Water Bottle with Soft-Bite Big Flow
Capacity: 36 oz (1,064 mL)
Length: 30cm
Wide Mouth: 63mm neck
Price: 3,080 JPY (tax included)
Also, we’ve restocked those massive bottles that actually came in with the last batch of saddles, but were surprisingly popular and sold out quickly. With an overwhelming capacity of over a liter, this bottle is a reliable companion wherever you go. Check these out as well!
