Well - this was educational. Both my B-whatever saddle, with the springs, and my B17, without springs have the three holes. The sprung saddle is wider than the B17. If I run my hand over the spring saddle I feel no holes at all, I cannot even say there is the sensation of "nothing" where the holes are - it is perfectly smooth. And WHAT a contrast to the B17! If I run my hands over that one the holes are like little mountains, poking up, and maybe they do indeed cause irritation, certainly there is a tremendous difference in hole smoothness between the two saddles.

I need to go to a bike store that carries Brooks and check out some of the B17 and other saddles with three holes.

I have a Selle Royal at home - I think it is a Selle Royal, it has never been used - but it is very similar in shape to the B17. Totally different in structure and it has no holes. I'll try that this weekend.

Cheers...

Well - I suppose that rather settles it in my mind, still need to go to a store that sells Brooks and check other B17 saddles, but I went for a long ride on the Selle Royal today and it was wonderful! The Selle Royal has no holes or anything like that as it is a single piece of soft padded plastic over some harder base material. I substituted the Brooks with with the Selle an set the height the same and the angle and all and went of a'riding. No pain, no nothing, quite comfortable.

So it looks like I have a bum Brooks - so now what?

Thanks Juggleaddict - I think you solved it for me. Just wish I knew what to do now, can I smooth out those holes without ruining the thing. Sigh. Maybe an email to Brooks.