Originally Posted by
grolby
I think holding up any generic type or brand of saddle as the "golden standard" (as per the OP) and expecting it to make your life wonderful is a mistake.
+1
On the notion that they are universally considered comfortable...
I know that I hated the one and only Brooks that I have owned. It was just OK when new and got increasingly less comfortable as it broke in.
On the notion that they are used by most tourists...
That has not been my observation.
I am sure that Brooks saddles work great for some people, but my suggestion is to give the saddle that comes with the bike a good chance. I find that my bottom quickly breaks in to most saddles as long as they are not gel or excessively padded. I would happily go coast to coast on any of the saddles that came with my bikes, and have done so on a couple of them including the one that came on a $599 bike.
If I were buying a new saddle I'd buy something a WTB Volt or maybe a Prologo Kappa. I have found both to be very comfortable.