Karen -

I'm really glad your Brooks is working out well for you.

I had originally purchased a 'womens' version (it was a Champion Flyer S, which is basically a women's B17 but with springs). The women's version (denoted by the "S") is shorter and wider, but I found it to be very uncomfortable. The B17 (and the Champion Flyer, which is the B17 with springs) is much more comfortable for me.

I think a lot of the break-in woes are because people might have the wrong style of Brooks saddle for their particular body type. Although Brooks makes "womens" saddles, some women are better off with the longer, narrower "mens" saddles (like the B17), and vice versa.

That's the great thing about buying a Brooks from Wallingford (www.wallbike.com), they have a very good return policy so if one style of Brooks doesn't work out for you, you can easily return it and try another.

I recently purchased a new B17 (up til then I was riding on a Champion Flyer I had borrowed from my husband). I found the new saddle very slippery, but proofhiding made the surface a bit less so. I found it very comfy right out of the box, and I didn't need to adjust the seatbolt.

I'll probably proofhide mine once a year or so, if I remember to do it.

- Jo.