Last year I rode on the stock saddle on my hybrid - very cushy and ultimately chafing on long rides. This year I have a new road bike with a harder Selle Italia seat and I replaced my hybrid saddle with a Brooks B-17.

For the first time, I can actually feel myself sitting on my ischial tuberosities (sits bones)!! My question is, how long did it take you to "toughen up" that area? I've been using these saddles for about 3 weeks and my bones still feel bruised and sore - granted, I've been taking ever longer weekend rides but my daily commute is sore too. Not unbearable, just bruised feeling. Can I expect improvement or is something amiss here?

BTW, the Brooks is beginning to show signs of shaping itself to my rear end and I have great hopes it will be beloved in the future - but I didn't experience instant comfort like Veronica did.