noseless saddles and the quest for comfort?

[KnottedYet]

Well, I tested the B-68 on two short rides yesterday (just under 5 miles each way) and so far, I'm cautiously hopeful? I can feel mild pain in my sitbones, and I felt a little lingering pressure on the lady bits, but nothing like before. I'm concerned that it would be a lot MORE feeling after a longer or more strenuous ride, but since I wasn't wearing bike shorts I'm hoping that that would make it all the much better. Am I right to assume that one would feel SOME pressure or soreness after riding? Meaning, I'm not going to find the Perfect Seat where you walk away not still feeling the saddle? (Oh, how I wish...)

Remember to level the NOSE of a Brooks saddle, not the entire length of the saddle. The back of the saddle (cantle plate) should be slightly higher than the rest of the saddle.

I walk away from my bikes "not still feeling the saddle." I had saddle pain in the past so bad that I even tried one of those horrible two-pad-no-nose saddles. Turns out my sit bones are wider than most *entire* saddles, and once I finally got my measurements and bought a saddle that actually fit, the whole world changed. Brooks fit even better after they have been ridden, because they gradually form themselves to your butt.

[WolfGirl]

Remember to level the NOSE of a Brooks saddle, not the entire length of the saddle. The back of the saddle (cantle plate) should be slightly higher than the rest of the saddle.

Hm, okay...I'm not sure he did that or not. My partner got a flat last night on our ride, so I'm going to take his bike in today to a (different) repair place we like. I'll ask them about the Brooks leveling when I do.

Brooks fit even better after they have been ridden, because they gradually form themselves to your butt.

So I hear. I hope that's the case for me? :-/

[WolfGirl]

Well, so today I did 11 miles or so (5.5+ each way) on the Brooks B68. The lady bits feel pretty good, actually; some smushing while riding but not bad. (I'm not riding in bike shorts; don't have any that fit at present.) The sitbones are pretty sore, however. I'm hoping that as it breaks in (and I toughen up?) this will go away some...right? Or is this an indication that this isn't the seat for me?

[blackhillsbiker]

The first week or so was pretty painful on my sitbones. It was much easier to take than the pain and numbness from cutout saddles I had been experiencing. I did break down and find some bike shorts I liked to finish breaking in the saddle. After that, though, I almost never ride that bike in bike shorts. The sitbones toughened up, the saddle dented in the right places, and all was right with the world. I really do love that saddle.

Deb

[WolfGirl]

Oh, I'm so glad to hear that! I ordered some shorts, but they won't be here for a while. Hope my butt holds out until then.

[WolfGirl]

So yesterday I did over 30 miles, which (while I know it's not huge) was the longest single-day total for me so far! I'm thinking the Brooks saddle is going to work out for me just fine; my lady bits aren't numb or sore after, and my sitbones are even doing pretty well. I did have some chafing in the butt-cheek area (between the butt and thigh) by the end, but I think that has to do with the yoga pants getting folded in there. It's weird with the Brooks; I started out wearing shorts over the yoga pants in order to provide extra padding for the sitbones, but took them off a mile down the road; the extra padding is actually LESS comfortable, especially in the crotch area.

Now I just need to investigate the chafing threads...I'm thinking I need to buy some proper bike shorts that DON'T have extra padding. The quest continues...but my butt is pretty happy!