Crank Length related to heel pain?

[yogiblair]

looking for a few opinions, I know crank length has been done a few times on here already......

My wife took some pictures and a video of me cycling in the holidays. I couldn’t help but notice that my stroke looked awkward and that my knees bowed out to the side a bit, especially my right one.

I decided that perhaps my saddle wasn’t high enough and made an adjustment of about 3-4cm. On my next ride I was comfortable on the bike, but the day after had a really sore right ankle at the back on the tendon, since then have also had heel pain after a ride.

I finally returned the saddle to where it was previously (more or less), and after my weekend ride have a very sore ankle again.

This has got me thinking about crank length. I am 6’2” and just measured my inside leg to floor at 91cm. I have found a chart that suggests I could be riding a 180mm crank. I currently have 175mm.

Does anybody have a similar experience?

 

[vickster]

Have you also checked your cleat set up?

Did you stretch after your ride?

 

[yogiblair]

Have you also checked your cleat set up?

Did you stretch after your ride?

Yes had a good stretch. Don’t really know where to start with cleat setup, I have SPD SL, the yellow ones which I believe are 6 degrees of float.

 

[derrick]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2BXOkM-wHs

 

[yogiblair]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2BXOkM-wHs

Thanks for that, quite a clear and concise video. I’ll give that a shot

 

[andrew_s]

If you change your saddle height, you should only change by a small amount (5 mm or so), and then give yourself time to get used to the new height before you change it again.
Once you've damaged a tendon or cartilage, it can take quite a while for it to settle down. No need to stop cycling entirely, but shorter, flatter rides in a lower gear are best.

Shorter cranks won't usually cause a problem

 

[Levo-Lon]

Are you sure your not just having tendon trouble.?
If your in your late 30's 40's etc, it seems to affect many at some point during these years.

Spd-sl can also aggravate and why a lot stick with spd.

Hopefully none of these and its all just bike fit

 

[Milkfloat]

A 6'4" I normally ride with 175mm cranks, but on the track 165mm. I don't perceive any real difference, certainly nothing that causes pain.

When cycling normally do you feel that you are in the centre of the float or are you pushing against one side?

 

[yogiblair]

Are you sure your not just having tendon trouble.?
If your in your late 30's 40's etc, it seems to affect many at some point during these years.

Spd-sl can also aggravate and why a lot stick with spd.

Hopefully none of these and its all just bike fit

I think I definitely have aggravated something by adjusting my saddle too much, yes late 30's now! I have never tried SPD but do plan to look at my cleat setup.

Thanks!

 

[yogiblair]

A 6'4" I normally ride with 175mm cranks, but on the track 165mm. I don't perceive any real difference, certainly nothing that causes pain.

When cycling normally do you feel that you are in the centre of the float or are you pushing against one side?

Thanks for the reply, interesting to hear your take on crank length. I'm not sure about how I feel with pedals, but certainly aware of it now. Plan to have an investigation tonight!

 

[Ajax Bay]

Crank length is not your problem. The 175s are fine.
Same for the yellow spd-sl cleat system. They are the most forgiving: again unlikely to be the issue.
As others have said, upthread, to me this looks like a saddle height issue and I concentrate on getting that correct first. An adjustment of 3-4cm is pretty radical. Get back to where you were and go up steadily. @andrew_s has already suggested that once you've inflamed a tendon it takes time to calm down; but it does in due course. You didn't get pain when on tour so go from there (saadlle height wise).
Heel of a straight leg on the pedal at 6 o'clock still sitting squarely on the saddle will give you a benchmark starting point; but individuals differ.