I know this sounds odd, but I got lots of pressure off my hands when I shoved my saddle BACK. I then got the non-S Brooks and could shove it another 1 1/2" FURTHER back, and that alleviated even more hand pressure. Why? Because it put my center of gravity further back, behind the crank, and I wasn't weighted to fall forward as much. I could then use my core muscles to hold myself up, not my hands.