Velo Angel Glide, Fly, and Ride – Light And Comfortable Options Without Breaking The Bank

Let’s take a quick poll. Raise your hand if you have ridden a bike in the last 40 years. If you are reading this, that’s you. Now, if you haven’t heard of Velo Saddles, put your hand down. If you put it down, put your hand back up, because whether you knew it or not, you’ve probably ridden a Velo saddle. Specialized, Bontrager, WTB, Ergon, and Prologo are just a few of the OEM and aftermarket saddle brands Velo produces for. When you add up all of the saddles they make, it’s over 15 million a year, along with over 6 million sets of grips and bar wrap. The brand is to saddles what Giant is to frames, one of the world’s largest OEM’s in their markets, but also a solid stand-alone brand. With a full line of saddles for just about any rider, you’ll want to give Velo a look.

A Quick History

Velo started making saddles in 1979 in their first factory in Taiwan. Founder and CEO Stella Yu helped start the trend of brands using components with their own branding (think Trek’s Bontrager, Bianchi’s Reparto Course, etc.) and within eight years, the business had steadily grown and they added a second Taiwan factory. By 1990, they started building a third factory, their first in China, with their fourth (second in China) come in 2002. Velo expanded to their first accessories in 1987 with a dual-density flat bar grip, later adding various bar tapes, including a gel tape in 2000. In 2008, Yu announced her ambitions to get into the aftermarket category with the first Velo branded saddles and bar wrap/grips. The Plush and Senso lines were the first, offering an entry-level comfort saddle, and a high-end technical saddle, respectively.

By their 30th anniversary, Velo was producing over 15 million saddles a year. Their engineering team continued to develop new technologies and expand to use new materials, not only for their partners but for their own lines as well. Carbon Fiber rails were first used in 2012, and by 2014, over 25 pro teams were using their products. With 17 current patents, the Velo engineers are continuing to build off of their past innovations to bring the next advancements in saddle technology.

The Angel

Velo added the Angel line in 2015. It was designed to be the brand’s boutique, high-end saddle, using its latest technologies. What started as four models, has grown to 10, including a kids saddle. Generally, the Angel line shares the same technologies, but the materials and sizes are the main differences. The top of the line Glide includes full carbon rails, a carbon base, Velo’s Super Light Foam padding, and a microfiber cover. On the opposite end, the Flow uses stainless steel rails, a plastic shell, with gel AirForm padding and a polyurethane cover.

Check out the quick breakdown below.

Angel Glide – Carbon Rail, 275x128mm, Super Light Foam padding, Microfiber cover, 127g, 5 colors

Angel Glide+ – Carbon Rail, 265x143mm, Super Light Foam padding, Microfiber cover, 135g, 2 colors

Angel TT – Carbon or CrN/Ti-Alloy rails, 241x143mm, Super Light Foam padding, PU Cover, 179g (carbon rails), 1 color

Angel Fly – Carbon, CrN/Ti-Alloy, or Stainless Steel rails, 273x128mm, AirForm padding, PU Cover, 213g (carbon rails), 5 colors

Angel Ride – Carbon, CrN/Ti-Alloy, or Stainless Steel rails, 273x143mm, AirForm padding, PU Cover, 228g (carbon rails), 5 colors

Angel Rise – Carbon, CrN/Ti-Alloy, or Stainless Steel rails, 256x143mm, AirForm padding, PU Cover, 225g (carbon rails), 4 colors

Angel Rise+ – Carbon, CrN/Ti-Alloy, or Stainless Steel rails, 256x158mm, AirForm padding, PU Cover, 245g (carbon rails), 3 colors

Angel Flow – Stainless Steel rails, 264x175mm, AirFoam padding, PU Cover, 383g, 3 colors

Eden Angel – Stainless Steel rails, 262x193mm, AirFoam padding, PU Cover, 408g, 3 colors.

Little Angel – Stainless Steel rails, 194x137mm, AirFoam padding, PU Cover, 229g, 4 colors

The Technology

The Angel is a very recognizable saddle. The first thing you’ll notice is the y-shaped cut out called Y Cut, that extends a significant length of the saddle. It not only helps relieve pressure to sensitive areas but also helps the saddle flex independently for comfort and adds some ventilation. At the back of the saddle, the base acts as a bridge between the two sides to provide control and stability for the independent flexibility.

The next bit of technology that goes into the Angel is called Arctech. Arctech pushes the saddle rails to the very back of the saddle shell, allowing the shell and rails to act like a suspension. 

Finally, the last item we’ll touch on is called Atmos Shaping, which has to do with the cover and shell design. Basically, Velo designs the covers so there are no seams showing. Not only does this eliminate any possible rubbing or chaffing, but also, when combined with a waterproof cover, makes the saddle waterproof. The cover and padding are bonded together with the extra length of the cover tucked under, between the padding and the shell, which is then bonded together, making a very durable saddle. It also makes for a very tidy and polished looking saddle. 

The Ride

Before I go into my take on these saddles, I wanted to mention that saddles can be a very personal thing. They partially are dictated by your physiology (sit bone width) and also personal preference. For me, narrow saddles work with my sit bones and I prefer one with light to moderate padding and some flex to the base. That might not work for you, but the great thing is, the Angel comes in different widths and the padding varies between the Glide and Fly/Ride, so you might find something you like.

I’ve been riding three versions of the Angel saddle, the Glide, Fly and Ride. The Glide and a 2017 Year of the Rooster Zodiac Edition Ride were both purchases, while the Fly was sent over by Velo for Project OneBike.

I purchased the Glide last summer for the road when I was looking for something with a similar shape to one of my favorite saddles, the Selle Italia SLC, but also something lightweight without breaking the bank. Shape and size were pretty similar, and considering the Angel Glide is 121g, I think I hit the lightweight target shaving off almost 100g from the SLC. 

From the first ride, I found the Angel Glide to be very comfortable. The flex in the base is what had me sold. The saddle doesn’t feel bouncy or unstable at all. When pedaling, there is a little bit of flex in the wings of the base. I can’t say that I even notice it, but I can feel that the saddle flows with my pedal stroke. 

A little later in the year, when the Fly arrived, I started moving between the two saddles to cover more adventurous riding where the bike will take more of a beating. With round Ti-Alloy rails and a plastic base, it makes for a little more durable saddle, while still feeling very similar to the Glide in comfort. I also gave the 2017 Year of the Rooster Ride model some time on the bike, and found it to be very similar to the Fly, but in a wider saddle. It was still very comfortable, but I just prefer a narrower saddle like the Glide and Fly.

Mounting any of the Angel saddles was a breeze, and I wouldn’t say it was any different than any other saddle. Being that the Glide uses carbon rails, be sure to have your torque wrench to make sure you do not over tighten the rails. Some carbon paste is also helpful for some added grip with all carbon bits.

When it comes to padding, the Glide and Fly/Ride are very different. The Glide uses Velo’s Super Light Foam while the Fly/Ride use AirForm. Super Light Foam is pretty much what it sounds like. Velo was able to develop a foam that gives similar properties to traditional foams, but at a decreased weight. AirForm is more shock absorbent than traditional PU foams and isn’t affected by temperature fluctuations. When you add in the waterproof cover and construction methods, it makes for a great year-round saddle. When paired with the various chamois in the #TeamKICKASS kits from Vie13 Kustom Apparel I ride, none of the Angel saddles felt like they were too padded or bulky. 

Throughout the year, I’ve put about 3,000 miles total on these saddles, ranging from short, fast rides, to a 7-hour epic gravel ride in rain and sleet, to a 6 hour marathon century on Zwift. The Glide can take a licking, but is best suited for road and trainer sessions. For the rougher rides, or if you are looking for a little more padding without a huge weight penalty, the Fly/Ride is a better choice. 

At $290 for the Glide/Glide+, it fits in at the lower end of the super saddle price point, similar to other saddles like the Prologo Zero C3 PAS Nack, and much cheaper than the likes of the Fizik 00 line and Selle Italia’s crazy expensive SP-01 line, all while coming in lighter in weight. For $130, the Fly and Ride are much easier on the wallet, without much of an increase in weight. 

Keith Bontrager famously said, “strong, light, cheap, pick two.” So far, I think it is pretty safe to say that you can say all three about the Angel line of saddles, at least on the upper end. The Angel’s have become my saddle of choice since I took a chance on the Glide, and if you are looking for a new saddle to get you comfortably through your next adventure, give Velo a look.

http://www.velosaddles.com