Nobody here is interested in inflicting pain or experiencing pain, but for some it's tolerable for a time if there is a promise of something better. For some others, not. I just think we're seeing the variations inherent in human nature.

I started in the Brooks Imperial test with a B17N Imperial. In my first 5 rides I felt pinching and pressure in the perineal area, with no sign of abatement, after running through all the adjustments I could think of. I read about USAZorro relieving this situation by removing all the lacing. I did this and it became flexy and compliant, so I took a few more rides in reasonable comfort. I added my Ideale 92 to a different bike and found the ride to be improved over the last times I rode it, so I concluded my butt is improving. Not long after I added lacing to the 17N to stiffen teh sit bone area and not the horn, and that is actually a pretty decent arrangement. I only have about one ride on it, since I'm also experimenting with a used Selle AnAtomica. All of these saddles have caused some pain, too much for me to accept for longer than 40 miles. The most promising options for longer distance are teh S/A and the 17N, but I just need to keep developing the fit.

BTW, I also like the Alias and the Toupe, and I do just about as much tweaking on them, too.