I don't have a pair of padded shorts. I'm considering them, but was hoping to get away without using them if possible...

I have to add that every adjustment I made was very slight, and I rode for as long as possible before stopping to make the next adjustment. Once the height and tilt of of the saddle felt right in relation to the pedals and handlebars, the only place my rear end felt right was on the rivets, unless I arched my back to an uncomfortable angle. Raising the saddle slightly moves the rivets back just enough, but then my wrists go numb due to putting more weight on the bars.

By the way... the lady is completely in love with her saddle and didn't need a single adjustment. In fact, she smiled the entire way.