Can the presure from a closed top saddle ( B17/Rolls) restrict urin flow? SMP is'nt nearly as comfortable but the pluming seems to work better ??

Dunno, but if it hurts don't do it. I got a Spezialized Avatar after getting a vasectomy because my old Concor just didn't feel right, maybe it was that I was riding more also. Any way after raising the bars to accommodate my gut I got the Avatar in a size wider than recommended and it was great.

Comparing apples and oranges, B-17 is for upright riding, most of the SMP line is for a riding in a more rotated position, when your weight is more fully carried on your sitz bones and not your butt. Long distance, long hours on a B-17, I will be hurting in several places.

Personally I find the B17 extremely comfortable and have no problems with it despite riding in a more aggressive position than many people adopt on touring bikes. But if you are concerned, you could try the B17 Imperial, which has a cut-out.

Anatomy Note: Prostate is within your Pelvis. the swelling test is a gloved finger in your rear orifice.

It Aint your Taint.

Even if it gets to be the size of an apple or orange like the other feller mentioned?? two identical 19 mile rides #! B 17 std. week trickle 4 trips to the can over night. #2 smp extra stronger streem 1 trip to the can. More to it, 67 yrs old, crosed US. east west & south to north, on a bike. I live in NE. the wind stops only to change direction, riding like a tall ship in the wind in the wind is not good. I think the B 17 will be pritter ha ging on the wall. Thanks ALL!

tgbikes, I suggest going to a doctor instead of a forum where even under the best of circumstances we debate saddles.

Brad

I have the Dr. highly recomends the taint releaf opening saddle. I just get caught up in the B 17 misteque from time to time , this time it only took 19 miles thanks.

I've tried, and returned, the Brooks B17. I'll stick with my Selle SMP and ISM Adamo saddles. If you buy the correct Selle SMP saddle and get it adjusted properly, I find they're very comfortable! I rode my Lite 209 from San Francisco to Los Angeles without any problem.

I swore off Brooks saddle nearly 50 years ago, but it is obvious many, many touring riders love them and would accept no other brand. I test rode a bike with a B17 last year and the memories of why I switched came back in a couple of blocks. Plus the prostate is five decades older also had some negative remarks about the Brooks.

I currently ride on an SMP TREK. It is not an expensive saddle. I find it comfortable down on the aero bars and upright on top bar white knuckled squeezing the cross levers while bouncing over steep washboard congregated Forest Service roads. The "boys" have been much happier too. They really like the drop nose of the SMP saddles.

I retired my B17 after only 6 months use for the widest Specialized Avatar also. I really wanted that Brooks to work but gave up. Much happier on the Avatar. You should try one. Most shops give a 30 day money back guarantee.

I have an avatar 143 on a bike it works well. I got razed about this at the LBS. Sit bone gage by tgbikes. get 1/2 pint of glazing compound, clear plastic wrap, form compound into a 1/2 in. thick ovel on a hard seat, with top and botum covered with the plastic wrap, set your naked rear on it you have a permanant sit bone profile. No spectater sport value. Butt you can admire your sit bones to your hart is contert. PS if you are in the mkt. for a B17 might want a full pint.

I saw a guy riding with one of these https://www.moonsaddle.com/ . I asked him about the saddle because I've never actually seen one in real life. He said that it was very comfortable and stable and that he has/had some prostate problems and after trying several differnt saddles, this one was a clear winner. Might be worth looking into it.

* and now I will slink off from the prostate thread, since I don't have one... *

Good ideas there. Some of those caulk-gun silicone adhesives/gasket makers/sealants might make good, durable, gel-like additions to a saddle, and relieve the pressure. They could also glue and hold a fabric covering in place.

There are several other versions of noseless saddles. I tried a couple and liked them. There is a short period of adjustment -- they handle a bit differently. But after that, I actually preferred the design over standard saddles, both for the comfort/zero pressure and for the handling. You're kind of hanging ten, in a sense (or three .... or four including the prostate). It's also cooler. Kind of that dog-hanging-out-of-the-car-window feeling.

You do draw a lot of attention/questions, though. (About the saddle, when people see it.)

The idea put forward by tgbikes seems like it could get around this, if desired.

I've heard some people say that the operations, if done well, can be successful and a big improvement. If botched, not so much. I'd sure shop for a good, experienced specialist before doing it.

I'm thinking that changing saddles might be less effective than getting that prostate issue corrected.
I'm not sure what can be done medically. I'm sure that there are painless and efficacious remedies out there now.
I don't think the problem goes away by itself so a saddle might be a stopgap measure.

If you find it, please pm me.

I recently rode something like 10,000 miles across Asia on my already well worn B17 without any padded shorts. Just regular old nylon underwear and pants. Never once had a rash or much in the way of butt pain. Sometimes my crotch did go numb but it was always remediable by adjusting my sitting position or taking a short break. I love this saddle. Try the cut out Imperial if your worried. They hold their value so you can easily sell it for close to purchase price should you end up hating it.

There are many ways to reduce the onset of BPH - Benign Prostate Hypertrophy - which is the common prostate enlargement that we men sometimes get in late middle age. There are prescription meds like Proscar (finasteride) and also herbal formulas. I personally have used Saw Palmetto for 10 years and it works well for me - it's just as effective as Proscar in some testing and very commonly used in Europe. Pumpkin seeds also work great for flow problem, but not for enlargement.