I know there are plenty of saddle tip and help threads out there, and yes I have used the search function, but I did not quite get the solution.


Here's the issue. I've tried two saddle thus far. First one is the saddle that came with Kona Jake 2012 model, and the other one is Selle Italia C2 Gel Flow. I rode total of 400 km on the first one (maximum distance in one trip: 42 km) and I rode total of 600 km on the second one (maximum distance in one trip: 76 km). Both hurts but on different spot.

First Saddle:
-My urethra hurts since there are almost no ditch.
-Everything else was basically fine.

Selle Italia C2 Gel Flow:
-My inside crotch near the groin hurts for rubbing the saddle too much.
-My inner side of sitting bones hurts terribly after 50 km.

I often change the way I sit to keep my ass from hurting but I realized it's not enough. It hurts anyway.
Since I said in the Selle Italia section that my "inner side" of sitting bones hurt, I thought maybe the saddle is too small, but I realized that's not true because my First Saddle was smaller. I am a pretty small guy (162 cm = 5'4) so Selle Italia can't be too small for me. Perhaps it's the shape of the saddle that's not good (or maybe shape of my ass). I also thought it's not the problem with cushions because the First Saddle was harder.


Do you guys have a suggestion on what kinda saddle I should buy?

1. Does your bicycle fit you properly. Has it been set up correctly for you?

2. How strong is your core? The stronger your core is the more comfortable you'll be on a bicycle over longer distances.

3. Have you tried a wider saddle? Just because you're short doesn't necessarily mean you've got narrow hips/sitbones.


BTW - gel and cushioning aren't usually good choices for saddles. Maybe when you're just starting out, but not once you start to do longer rides.

1. It should be. At least when I was using the First Saddle, the only problem was the Urethra.
2. I don't know. I've only started cycling since last autumn. But I do kickboxing, boxing, Grappling, Mixed Martial Arts. I believe I have at least mediocre core.
3. Well I did write on the first post that the First Saddle was smaller and the only problem was Urethra. I had problem with the bigger Selle Italia.


Thanks for the output. Yea, that's what I thought about gel and cushioning.

Are you a man or a woman? Where is your "urethra" and how does it cause you pain? I'm not sure you know what you're talking about, but given the length of the rides you're discussing here, I suspect that a dose of HTFU is in order rather than another saddle.

I'm a man. Since the saddle that came with the bike had no holes or ditch to give a space for my urethra, I felt a pressure that later became painful.

I appreciate your somewhat rude "help", and I hate to say this despite the fact that I am getting a help, but as far as I can see from your question, you are skipping details that answers or makes your question sound pointless.


The first saddle that came with the bike had no pain except my urinal pipe, so as for size of the saddle and the shape should be good. If it had a hole or ditch to let my urinal pipe some space then it would have been perfect. The new saddle I got had cut outs, softer than the first saddle, but then it gave me other pains that I didn't have on the first saddle.

Try a saddle without all those cutouts and without gel. Get a saddle where you sit on your sitbones. I repeat ... try a wider saddle, one that supports your sitbones.

Read this and demo some SMP saddles or the Specialized Romin Evo https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/...#disqus_thread

I think he was referring to his perineum, not urethra. From what I have learned a "harder" seat and cutouts tend to help with pressure on the perineum that can lead to pain, numbness, ED, etc....

I was getting numbness on longer rides, not fun, sort of scary, especially after reading too much on the internet about it. In the process of finding a better solution. Have a Brooks Imperial arriving today, but not sure if that will alleviate the issue - hoping it does.

I'm a fan of Brooks leather saddles. They cost about the same as a high quality artificial saddle. They get comfier with every ride. They are not for everyone, but if you buy one and decide you don't like it, you can easily sell it. There is always a market for a used Brooks.

And if you get them from Wallingford Bicycles, they've got a 6 month policy where, if you don't like the saddle after 6 months, you can return it.

I'm a big fan of Brooks saddles too ... just about one on every bicycle now.

OP, pic of you on the bike please.


is the saddle/seat level?

fit needs to be good first.

Well according to your suggestion, I would interpret that I should go back to the first saddle that came with the bike. That doesn't make sense to me...