Bontrager Verse Short adds compact 250mm saddle for on- and off-road (2024)

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Bontrager has released a new unisex short-nosed saddle; the Bontrager Verse Short, said to provide targeted support for riders of any gender in a performance riding position. Intended for road cyclists and mountain bikers alike, the Verse Short shaves 20mm off the original Verse saddle, with an overall length of 250mm.

Bontrager Verse Short Nose Saddle

Like its longer-nosed sibling, the Verse Short features a central pressure relieving channel right the way along its 250mm length. The actual cut-out portion doesn’t run the whole length, but there is still a slight depression at each end between the end of the cut-out and the end of the saddle. It is available in 145mm and 155mm width options. That narrowest one is slightly wider than some brands’ offerings, but when Bontrager carried out fit studies with their Pro Teams, combined with feedback from retailers, they found the vast majority of riders were opting for the wider saddle.

The Verse Short Saddle is available in four models, all of which offer up a bit of wing flex, allowing the saddle’s edges to adapt to the rider’s inner leg movement and pelvic rotation. All are also compatible with Bontrager’s rear-facing Blendr accessory mount for the secure fitting of the Flare RT tail light.

“The short saddle market is on the rise, and riders are looking for something that offers more comfort without any unnecessary real estate,” says Product Marketing Manager Nick Anger. “Verse Short avoids extra materials and purposeless shapes to leave riders with a shorter, lighter, more comfortable saddle.”

The main difference between the four models of the Bontrager Verse Short is the rail material. All of the models feature long rails for a wide range of fore-aft positioning, but some are lighter than others.

• Bontrager Verse Short Comp – $99.99 – This one is available in black only and is built on stainless steel rails.
• Bontrager Verse Short Elite – $159.99 – This one is available in red and black, and is built with Austenite rails that are lighter and stronger than hollow titanium. The Elite-level trim optimizes foam padding for added lightweight comfort.
• Bontrager Verse Short Trail Elite – $159.99 – The Trail Elite is the same as the Elite option save for its abrasion-resistant coating for added protection from the dirt and crud venturing off-road.
• Bontrager Verse Short Pro – $240.99 – The top dollar option is available in black only. It has a lightweight carbon-reinforced shell designed to balance weight, strength, and compliance. It is built with over-sized carbon rails for lightweight strength.

Bontrager offer a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee, so if you ride the saddle and don’t love it you can simply send it back for a refund.

TrekBikes.com