Fifty Plus (50+) - Please solve one of the great mysteries for me

OK, it's probably only a mystery to me because I'm well, you know- ignorant...
As you might know, I just a Brooks (specifically a B17N) and they have a bit of a reputation.
and I've been tweaking it to find that magic spot.
Now, I actually like mine quite a lot but, yeah, it's hard... That'll go away as it breaks in UNLESS it's hard because I'm sitting on the frame. That ain't gonna give.Then it hit me, maybe I don't know where to sit. Am I too far back? Too far forward (I lean toward the former)?

Could someone supply a diagram (or other explicative tool) that shows where exactly (more or less) one's sit bones are supposed to go? I'd like to get this right early on and I'd be forever in your debt.

Seriously. Thanks

I can't help you. I just wanted to say I can't wait to hear what TWL has to say about this... :D

For the most part, the rails on the Brooks are the shortess rails of any other saddle. I don't know how long your legs are, but you may need a set back seat post.

Nah, I have plenty of room for adjust... the LeMond comes with a setback post.
I don't really have problem putting the saddle where I want it.
No, it's not the saddle... I want to know where my butt goes on the saddle

The sitbone depressions on mine are on the fat part of the saddle about 3/4 of an inch forward of the rivets. It's a regular B-17.

Using the world's most comfortable individual saddle as an example, this works for me.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/RB-1/ratcheer.jpg

Hmmm.. this could be my problem with some 20 saddles. No matter what saddle, or what bike, I seem to be sitting midway on the saddle. A good couple of inches unused saddle sticking out the back of my butt.

Using the world's most comfortable individual saddle as an example, this works for me.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/RB-1/ratcheer.jpg

You stole my pic. That's my saddle!!!! Seriously, that actually looks like mine.:D Ain't the brown impressions on the B17 nice?????? Pure comfort.

Oh yeah, that's what I'm talkin' about, guys! :D

I see the dimples on your saddle, there, 'Dawg. Conceptually it makes perfect sense.
I'm going out tomorrow for a 20-25 mile break in ride and now I know what to be cognizant of...
I'll get out the ruler and measure before I go...

Cool. And I am in your debt, folks...

Cool. And I am in your debt, folks...

The bill is in the post.

Not on a Brooks- but I find the further I can get the Butt rearwards onto the wide part of the saddle- The more comfortable it is. All Of my saddles are the same width but the poition of the saddle on the Seatpost varies from bike to bike. The MTB and the Boreas- the saddle is as far forward as possible and they are small frames. Then on the giant- I am about middway on the rails.

Doesn't seem to matter as I am comfortable on all the bikes- but If I consciously think about where the butt is- It is always as far back as possible to afford that bit bit of comfort from a good fitting saddle. Only time I find the position different is when I am pushing hard up a hill and I do find myself further forward on the Narrow part of the saddle.

Only time I find the position different is when I am pushing hard up a hill and I do find myself further forward on the Narrow part of the saddle.

Which is the opposite of what I do and what seems to be the conventional wisdom based on my reading. I sit even further to the rear while climbing. I'll slide forward to the narrow front of the saddle when trying to go fast on a flat section of road. "Riding the rivet".

But I do agree with sitting on the wide part near the rear of a saddle most of the time. This allows your sit bones to support your weight and keeps it off your taint. Because a Brooks is so hard, this keeps you suspended enough that most people won't need the cutout commonly used on softer saddles to relieve perineal pressure.

I think the reason I am so far forward when climbing hard stems from Offroading. When it gets tough or extra steep- I am trying to keep the front wheel down on the ground. Did say our hills are a bit steep at times. It just seems natural to me to move forward on the saddle as this also puts my knee in front of the pedal for extra power.

OK... here we go... did another 20+ miles of break in today.

About 4-5 miles in I stopped and just stood up on the pedals and sat down a few times paying attention to wear my butt naturally wanted to park itself. Did a quick adjustment and moved the saddle up about a cm. Ohhhh... that's much better. It's not quite there just yet. When I got home I did the "string-on-the-kneecap" thing and I could probably move it back a bit but it's so close.

I got to the turnaround point in today's ride and ran into my playing partner. As we stood and chatted a bit, I looked at the Brooks and, yes, there they were: nascent dimples.

Right now I have all of 50-60 miles on the B17N and I'm seeing the dimples :D
Yeah, my butt's a little sore right now (probably because I'm staying in the saddle over every floggin' bump, dip and pothole in Pacifica and I am taking a pounding. Oddly enough the Brooks soaks up a lot it... a lot more than the "vibration absorbing" carbon seatpost, for sure. Besides, I don't mind a little soreness -and I mean little-, the break in plan is working.

Overall, I felt better on this bike today than any time since I bought it.
And that should just about be the end of my Brooks story. Pass me the Kool-aid.

Stick with it and it will pay off in the long haul.

Bluesdawg. I thought that MY Honey Brown saddle had darkened up a bit and something was wrong with it. I see yours is doing the same. I need to take a shot of mine, I think my sitbone dimples are more pronounced. Dang I love this saddle!

Just sit on it and ride. Over time your butt will just find the perfect spot on the saddle.

OK, just to clarify... I meant I won't be posting any more about the saddle; what is there left to say?
I'm keeping the saddle.

Bluesdawg. I thought that MY Honey Brown saddle had darkened up a bit and something was wrong with it.

Heck no. That is one of the reasons I keep choosing the honey brown model when I buy a Brooks. I just love to see the color change as it ages.
Here is one a few years older with a lot more miles on it and lots of hot, sweaty days and a few rainy days.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/Uncle%20Duke/DSCF2179.jpg