Brooks B17 Standard first impression and question

[thekarens]

Got my Brooks and took it for a spin around the neighborhood. The first time I've ridden the road bike in the neighborhood since I was learning how to use clips. Thank God I'm relatively comfortable with those now. Anyway, as far as the sit bones go the saddle feels great. It's a hair slippery, but I don't think it will take long to get used to it.

Here's the question: my previous saddle is a Sel Italia Ldy Gel and I've been having lady bits pain on rides of 40 miles or more. I set the Brooks up exactly how my previous saddle was since I've had a professional fit and I wanted to mimic that. Anyway, my previous saddle was tilted down a teeny bit, so I did that with the Brooks. For my lady bits pain do you think that's good or should I completely level the saddle?

[thekarens]

With the Brooks the nose is typically leveled, not the rear. If you need to point the nose down more than that then do so. But, the Brooks rides quite differently than a SI Ldy. I wouldn't think they'd be set up the same.

I would level the nose first, and adjust from there.

Thanks Sheila! I'll try that.

[Wahine]

I would second the suggestion of leveling the saddle first. That should help with the feeling of sliding as well. Ideally, when you sit up on the saddle no hands (you may need to use a trainer to try this out) you should not feel like you slide forward any significant amount. A tiny bit of movement is normal.

[thekarens]

I did level it. I had to use an actual level as my eyeballs are not trustworthy :-) I appreciate the suggestions.

[Sky King]

Well, I would actually suggest the nose be tilted up slightly over being level. Play with the angles until you feel like you are sitting in the "pocket" as in not feeling the need to slide forward or backward. I found the B17 Imperial to be more comfy than the B17 but actual love my Rivet Pearl and Rivet Independence way, way more than the Brooks. I don't like the "fenders" on brooks (the long sides)

[thekarens]

Thanks Sky King. I've got a 43 mile ride planned for Saturday. I'll adjust after I see how my female parts feel after that ride.