Thanks in part to advice on this forum I got a new bike, a cyclo cross from the LBS (a Rocky Mountain Solo) I've been riding my 25+ year old bianchi and enjoying it, but having to do a lot of fiddling and avoided slushy days because of limited tire options.

Now my issue- the old bike had a cheap replacement seat with padding (about 15 years old) and this new one has a San Marco ponza, and it is feeling like a stick rammed up my privates. I've read that some saddles need a break in period, and since I'm a bit tapped out, it will do for now.

But in your experience, how long should I give this seat to "break in" before looking around for another? My commute is about 32 miles round trip.

I think the "break in" on saddles is a bit overstated sometimes. If the saddle is painful, just get rid of it and find something better. If it's just slightly uncomfortable, you might give it two weeks or so to see if your butt adjusts. I don't find any use in going through any pain while hoping things will get better.

On this forum, you are about to get a lot of responses about a Brooks B17. Great saddle if you aren't a weight weenie.

If I find a properly adjusted seat uncomfortable from the start, it'll probably remain uncomfortable for me. Maybe it would've been different with a Brooks, but I've never had a Brooks.

It's possible that your riding style is what can be changed. If you're used to a saddle with a lot of padding, you might be sitting too heavily in the saddle, not putting enough weight on your feet (and to lesser extent hands). You can try putting more "spring" in your legs and arms and unweighting your bottom some. Otherwise... I'd say just replace the saddle. Can't you put the saddle from your old bike onto your new one?

What's a weight weenie?

People who are obsessed with what every component and accessory on their bike weighs. Since in a weight weenies mind light weight is equivalent to high speed. The truth is some people go so far as to forgo higher performance for lighter weight. Even if it's a matter of grams

LOL i'll admit i used to be one of those.

not anymore now that i ride long rides.
comfort is everything, even if it means adding a few extra pound i'm okay with it as long as in returns it gives me comfort.

my MTB is totally opposite to my racing bike.
heavy (extremely), but it feels sooo good.
fat tires, suspension post, suspension seats, front fork suspension, panniers (no more killing my back with a bag)

Brooks.

I'm still riding a Brooks Team Pro saddle that came as original equipment on my 1978 Raleigh Professional racing bike. It's been on 5 different bikes since then and on more tours and long commutes that I can possibly recall.

Plastic saddles aren't really going to break in. If it sucks now it will probably still suck after 1000 miles.

My favorite description of the Ponza is "it's an ass hatchet"

So you're not alone in your opinion on the Ponza

[QUOTE=aharris;9239399]
Now my issue- the old bike had a cheap replacement seat with padding (about 15 years old) and this new one has a San Marco ponza, and it is feeling like a stick rammed up my privates. I've read that some saddles need a break in period, and since I'm a bit tapped out, it will do for now.[/QUOTE

Should go without saying....but you HAVE messed around with the adjustments haven't you? The fore and aft adjustment and the tilt? It might be positioned too far back or tilted up too far. Bring an allen wrench with you and mess around with the adjustments next time you ride. That may be all you need.

Synthetic saddles should not need a "break in" period, only leather saddles do (as far as I know). My local bike shop used that as a sales pitch to discourage buying a Brooks (which they didn't have in stock) and instead buy a synthetic saddle that needs no break in period (which they did have in stock).

My bike shop has a saddle fitting system to choose a saddle of appropriate width for your backside. It might be something worth trying out if your bike shop has it. I was too tempted by all of the positive things I read here on the internet about Brooks, so I ignored my local bike shop advice and mail ordered a Brooks B-17 (what I'm using now). The Brooks is comfortable, but I think there are a lot of other comfortable options out there.