First ride on my Brooks B17, ouch.

[FreshNewbie]

On the description that wallbike has on their website for Team Professional saddle it says that it's designed for more agressive riders that preffer spending time in the drops. I assumed that it would be also true for Team Pro S model that's designed for women. Maybe I should try calling them again some other time when they will be more willing to explain the difference.

[mimitabby]

You could call again and say "I heard you were very helpful with saddle issues"

[suzieqtwa]

Hey Fresh newbie,
When I read your post it sounded like I was writing it. I was rubbed raw with my stock WSD pilot saddle to the point where I had a red blood blister. It hurt so bad,and I was in such pain...Well I went to the B17. I just wanted it to work so bad for me...Like you, I can take the sits bones pressure ,but not the soft tissue. I have a high tolerance for pain ,but not cutting pain. Anyway, I've put about 300 miles on the Brooks ,and I'm still dealing with crotch pain on the right side. I also think one leg is longer than the other..that may be my problem. I don't have any chafing ,or cutting,just pain after about 20 miles or so. I can almost deal with it as I really want this one to work. I haven't adjusted it too much. I know the soft tissue pain isn't going to go away,so its a matter of me maybe trying to adjust it again ,or just deal with it. I have it set sorta in the middle closer to the forward position. I also slide forward ,and have it level ,just slighted tilted downward. If I could just keep my butt on the back of the seat ,I think I may be Ok ,but I keep shifting around. I haven't made any indents in the saddle yet because I'm always moving around.
Darcy ,and I are attempting a 62 mile ride tomorrow. I only rode once this week . If I just didn't have crotch pain things would be GREAT. The furthest I've ridden was 46 miles...hope I can make it. ; )))
I will be wearing 2 pairs of shorts tomorrow.
Suzie

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Suzie, try moving the saddle back all the way.

[FreshNewbie]

Hi Suzie, sorry just saw your post!!!
Well I returned my B17 and had a feeling that I made a wrong choice by sending it back. So couple of days after thanks to Stella, Mimi and Lisa I decided that I will give Brooks a second choice, and ordered Team Professional "S". It came this Thursday and I took it for a first ride today for 20 hill training miles. WOW, let me tell you there is a huge difference and in a good way. I adjusted in a level position so that the nose is a bit tilted up, but since this saddle does not have such flared up back it's not significant tilt. I was not sliding as much and it was not anything close to my slidingon on B17. I was able to pick a place on the back part and stay there and even shift around a little bit. I was able to keep my pelvis in neuteral position like Knotted calls it ( bowl with water). By the end of the ride I didn't chaffe ( i made sure to put some bodyglide along with baby cream) and I didn't have any pressure problem with the nose. Overall it was much comfortable than my Selle Italia Max flite Gelflow and it's only my first ride on it.
If you bought your B17 from Wallbike, maybe you should consider getting B17S or Team professional. Maybe like me you just need a little wider nose transition from the back for more support. I think women's version has different surface shape than original models. Also, my left (shorter leg) was not bothering me while climbing, it was going in smooth circles easily. I am going on a club ride tomorrow 40 miles, I will post how it will play out on a longer ride.
Hope this helps you,

Marina aka FN

[mimitabby]

far out! great news, Freshnewbie!!

Brooks strikes again!

[FreshNewbie]

I know Mimi, I almolst cried today on a ride, of course they would be tears of joy, two years of constant saddle sagga will get you crying Thanks for helping me with Brooks , if it weren't for you, Stella and Lisa I would go back to gel saddle with cut out. Hopefully my Team Pro will get more comfortable with every ride.