Hi,
I have a new VO 17 model leather saddle, with about 400 miles on it. The manner in which it is breaking in is such that there is a firm ridge down the middle of the seat, from front to back, with depressions on either side of it, which makes sense. The depression on the left side is both larger and deeper than the one on the right, which would seem to indicate that I'm leaning to the left somehow while riding, or that side of the saddle is somehow weaker than the right. I have kept the laces tight and when I squeeze on the sides of the saddle behind the laces, it does not really firm up that area, so I don't think an additional set of laces would make any difference.
The problem I'm having is that on the left side, it is getting uncomfortable. The saddle seems to interface with my left sit bone in such a manner that it sends pain down my leg and through the top of my foot to my toes. It seems counter intuitive that the lowest portion of the saddle would be causing that type of problem, but it is. I've treated the saddle once with neatsfoot oil, but I have not adjusted the tension.
When the saddle was brand new and the top surface had the nice curvature from one side to the other, it was very comfortable, although hard, but I had no issues.
So at this point, I'm considering what type of adjustment, if any, may help. I wonder if reducing the tension may allow that ridge down the middle to lower a bit, but I don't want it to end up like a hammock I suppose. I'm hoping to make it work, but it's at the point that I'll have to ditch it if I can't get it worked out.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Jon