Hey im sort of a new rider ive been riding crappy hybrids for years and just got a 2010 surly crosscheck. im commuting about 14 miles a day during the week and then doing 20 to 30 miles a day on the weekends for fun since we have such great bike paths in fort collins. Heres my dilemma my ass is really starting to hurt and id like to get a better saddle. Dont say brooks because i don't have the money right now haha. i would like a similar leather saddle though ive been reading about gyes but i would like a first hand review. any other suggestions are welcome

I and we, as it were, don't sit on your saddle, it's between your butt and the saddle , and there are thousands of them.

What do you have , and what is your budget and how do you sit while you ride ?
Range .. from sitting up straight to full aero racer' s tuck and points in between..

got a bike shop that will let you swap saddles and try several?

Persons sells some cheaper leather saddles, but the quality apparently isn't that great. It's also worth checking Chain Reaction Cycles. They often have significant discounts on Brooks saddles, and the exchange rate (they're in Ireland) is pretty decent right now. Even with shipping, you can often do better there than anywhere else I'm aware of.