Stella Yu founded Velo Saddles in 1979 with the mission to create perfect saddles. For over 30 years, Velo has made not only their own saddles, grips and tape, but have made products for other brands too and sponsored numerous cycling teams in various disciplines and at nearly every level. Today, the company continues the quest for perfect saddles for every type of riding. And at the 2016 Sea Otter Classic we saw the comapny's latest project, the Angel line of saddles.
Velo Angel saddles and handlebar tape gives cyclocrossers and gravel cyclists a ton of options, and the company hopes to dominate the IBD's aftermarket sales. Sea Otter Classic 2016. © Cyclocross Magazine
The Angel saddle hallmark is a Y-shaped cutout in the shell. That feature, along with what Velo calls its "Arctech rail mounting system" are designed to offer additional compliance and rider comfort.
The Angel saddle line features four models. The 234 gram Angel Ride is constructed of Ti-Alloy rails and is 144mm wide and 273mm long. The narrower Angel Fly uses the same rails but comes in at 220 grams and measures out to 273mm x 125mm. The Angel Dive shaves a few more grams coming in at a claimed 202 grams with the same measurements as the Fly model and the top-tier Angel Glide is a full carbon shell offering that weighs a scant 115 grams.
Velo's new Angel line features a patented Y-shape cutout that's designed to offer more flex for rider comfort. Sea Otter Classic 2016. © Cyclocross Magazine
Not just a saddle maker, Velo offers a full range of bar grips and tape as well. With products from $8 USD to $40 USD there's a tape that's right for just about every rider. The top of the line silicone tape is said to be more environmentally friendly than other brands' offerings. From what we saw at the Sea Otter Classic the tape offers a good grip that's purported to hold when wet and it feels plush without being oversized, a potential boon for 'cross racers and gravel riders looking to freshen their bars.
More info: velosaddles.com
Velo doesn’t just dominate the saddle market, but it also makes most handlebar tape sold by others. The company has tape that retails from $8 to $40 USD. Here, we see its top-of-the-line silcone-based handelbar tape, ideal for gravel and cyclocross due to its durability and shock absorption. Sea Otter Classic 2016. © Cyclocross Magazine
