First ride on my Brooks B17, ouch.

[caribe81]

Hi as far as shorts. I like this Nike one I have, but I don’t know what type it is, it was like $35 and has the best chamois so far. I also have the Pearl Izumi Sugar Short it pretty good and the 'shebeest-Sprint Tri Shortie' that I just got and have only ridden on it once. It seems ok for short rides only.

[suzieqtwa]

I've put almost 450 miles on the B17 ,and I think this time I finally got it to work. I commuted all week to work (13 miles RT) ,and Saturday ,and Sunday I road 40 miles each day ,and NO CROTCH PAIN>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> woooooooooooo whoooooooo. I adjusted it to be totally level. I kept waiting for the pain this weekend ,but it never happened. I cant say I found that "sweet spot ,as there are no indentations on the saddle ,but I don't slide around at all. The shorts I wear are Pearl Izumi "short attack". They seemed to have the biggest padding. I hope it continues to get better.
Newbie ,how is your saddle saga going?

[FreshNewbie]

Awsome to hear it Suzie!!!
Well I sold my old Selle Italia and bought Specialized Arione saddle because brooks still gives me chaffing problem in my soft tissue. I love the brooks on my butt, it doesnt hurt anywhere at all. But about at 20 miles mark I start to get burning feeling in the front and then when I get in the shower OHH it's pretty bad Not sure why I don't even slide around that much anymore, it's not too high so I don't rock. This is how lack of cut out effecting me. Now I am not sending it back just yet, I am planning to keep it and maybe put it later on. Yesterday I went to ride with my Specialized and that I really like that saddle, but then I only got to do 16 miles on it so it's not for sure yet. We will see what will happen, this saga as you called it tires me.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

One other thing to check out- I have found that sometimes when I wear too thick a chamois layer, the extra padding there in front pushes up against my soft parts after a lot of miles and starts making them numb. It's a tricky balance trying to find just the right amount of chamois. Something to watch for.

[FreshNewbie]

Yes I thought that too not sure if that's the problem though. I have sugoi Lucky shorts and Shebeest SSS shorts that I wear with my brooks and the problem still accured I am keeping the saddle, it's just that I need to let my parts heal, don't think thing like that will be something I have to get used to.

[Eden]

Some of us just really need a saddle with a cutout. Even if I get a saddle that supports my sitbones perfectly, I still get uncomfortable pressure on the soft tissues, so a saddle with a groove or cutout is the only option for me (I now have a very firm saddle with a cutout and I never have any numbness or pain anymore). If you really love the look of your Brooks, but are finding it to be uncomfortable - didn't Mimi mention a saddle her husband has that has a similar look, but is available with a cutout.

[KnottedYet]

I think it was Selle An-Atomica.

The guy modelled a Brooks and modified it so it had a cut-out, and makes them in 3 different sizes (you'll still want to know your sit-bone width) and a gazillion different leathers.

I think TE sells it.

Yeah, here it is on TE http://www.teamestrogen.com/brands.asp?brandID=121
He's even got the leather handlebar tape to match his saddles like Brooks! Cool!

[Kitsune06]

I'm wondering if it's my saddle placement or what now... in the more upright mtb position, the Brooks was great. Even on the hoods, the Brooks is great. But once I get down in the drops, it rubs my bits (further back, labiawise, not up-front hoodwise).... well maybe not 'rubbing' so much as just pressure, which I know would turn into rubbing if I went more than a few miles. So... anyone have any experience that way, as far as tipping the saddle up/down? I started with it a ways back, but am slowly scooching it forward. Ahh the adventures inherent in making a new bike fit perfectly...