I just got a Brooks B17 saddle two days ago, thanks in part to all the great reviews and saddle discussions on this forum! I've only ridden it about 60 miles, with 23 miles about the longest ride so far. I've got it set up pretty well now, I think. It seems comfortable, but it's the first saddle I've had for a long time that didn't have a cut-out. Shorts have a lot more padding in the chamois nowadays than they did back before the cut-out days. Now all that padding gets pushed into my girly-bits. I'm not sure how that's going to work out on a long ride (but I'll be doing one on Sunday!).

Looking at the saddle, I was wondering about cutting out the leather between two of the holes in the middle of the saddle. Have any of you ladies done something like that?

Alternatively, has anyone found good shorts with less padding in front for wearing on long rides on saddles without cut-outs?

FYI, I hear that Brooks is testing putting a cut-out in some of their saddles right now, and the products might be available this fall. Unfortunately, I need a comfortable saddle now! My husband and I are doing a week-long bike tour in July with 65 miles of riding per day.

Thanks, Jenn
(thejen12 on the Serotta forum)