I used to ride with the seat so low when I first started that my knee literally hit my chest because I have a short inseam. When I got my new bike, it has a much lower standover and it took a while, but the seat started going up (you should of seen my face when they set it up for me at the LBS ..my butt is supposed to be up WHERE?). It felt odd when they first did it and I changed it back down. Now I am up where they set it up and wow what a DIFFERENCE!!! I didn't get knee pain but I just felt cramped. The thing for me was getting back on and now when I get on, I get up and then onto the seat, a little pelvis maneuver gets me back in the saddle. Just keep trying!