This whole thread amazes me. A saddle is just a saddle, Brooks or not. Does anyone really care?
IMO, saddle comfort is most facilitated by the following:
- Bike fit and adjustment (when bike is set up as I like it there just isn't that much weight on the saddle)
- Riding form (most of the weight supported on the legs, hands lightly resting on the bars, bars well (4-5") below the saddle)
- Conditioning of the bottom to the miles
Saddle choice matters, but to a lesser extent than the factors listed above, unless you make a really bad choice like some wide heavily padded thing. Choice of shorts also matters especially in extremely hot weather where heat rash becomes an issue. In those conditions i like Pearl Izumi Ultrasensors.
FWIW, I just did a moderate length self supported tour (805 miles in 10 riding days and one sick day) on the cheap saddle that came with my Windsor (the same saddle I used on the TransAmerica in 2007). I started out with 70 mile days and built mileage as I went. The last day was 142 miles. I had less than 200 miles in for the year at the start due to the fact that I have been running rather than riding this year. I had no saddle problems. I did need to stand once in a while for a change of position and I did need to air out the saddle area in the evening by wearing running shorts in camp, but I was pretty comfortable due mostly to items 1 and 2 (bike fit and riding position) since I was lacking a bit in item 3 at the start.
And I am miles from being a Lance freakin Armstrong. I am just another almost 58 year old guy who like to bike tour.