My Knees Hurt

[Norm]

There's also the issue of saddle set-back. The rule of thumb is that, when the pedals are horizontal, your knee (well, the bit just behind the knee cap) should be over the pedal's axle. As with much of the lore of the mechanics of cycling, it's very dependant on your pedalling technique, the type of bike etc. However, it might be worth giving that a few seconds to check as well, whilst you are playing with the other stuff.

 

[tongskie01]

check the length of the cranks. might be too long for you.

 

[xxmimixx]

I have knee pain, though running exacerbates my 'condition' and am taking Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements. Have not taken them long and regularly enough to feel a difference. Wondered if anyone else has any experience on these, as not sure if they are worth it or not yet!

 

[brokenflipflop]

I have knee pain, though running exacerbates my 'condition' and am taking Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements. Have not taken them long and regularly enough to feel a difference. Wondered if anyone else has any experience on these, as not sure if they are worth it or not yet!

I used to take Glucosamine when I played football (the 90 minute kind on grass). I took it for a full season and didn't notice any difference from before or when I stopped taking it.

 

[xxmimixx]

oh hoo not fair

 

[col]

Are you clipped in to the pedals? The play might need some adjusting?

 

[brokenflipflop]

I'm clipped in but there is some float.

 

[Old Plodder]

Pain in knee :-
Saddle height possible; but yours is probably just lack of recovery, as you say, two days on the trot & more miles!

Crank lenghth = one fifth inside leg (approx/nearest to/slightly less); however, if you do have long cranks, you probably can't spin up hills, therefore, I suggest standing on the pedals uphill.

When doing the 'heel on pedal', don't forget that it's a starting point, & may need fine tuning. Also make sure your knee is perpendicular to the pedal, (centre of knee over pedal spindle)

 

[MontyVeda]

I reckon you might have twisted your knees a bit when hastily moving your bin

 

[lulubel]

I'd say it's most likely down to the increase in distance. You can't nearly double your distance from one weekend to the next without expecting a few aches and pains as a result.

I'm getting a bit of knee pain lately, but I think it's down to starting running again a couple of months ago. It's done wonders for my fitness, but it isn't kind to the joints. Hopefully my body will get used to it.

 

[brokenflipflop]

I suppose squash doesn't help but I've played squash for years and it's only since I've cycled (last 5 months) that I've had knee pain. The pain itself is at the top of my knee caps and right now I'm sat on my settee and if I raise my lower leg from the knee to a straight leg, as I raise it, I get the knee pain. I can feel it too when cycling and doing other day to day activities.
I didn't really notice the pain for the first couple of months cycling but I have upped my miles considerably from my twice a week 25 milers. Now the snow has set in, the chance to rest them a bit might solve the problem although I'm doing 30 minutes stints on the turbo trainer.

Thanks for all the replies. I suppose I'll just see how it goes

 

[lulubel]

Another thought ..... are you stretching properly after your rides? Muscle imbalances can pull joints slightly out of alignment and cause pain. I had that a few years ago when I was running on cambered roads and my illiotibial band (try saying that when you're drunk) in my left leg got very tight. Even walking caused me major knee pain before I finally admitted this was not something I could just "run through," and got some physio.

 

[brokenflipflop]

Another thought ..... are you stretching properly after your rides? Muscle imbalances can pull joints slightly out of alignment and cause pain. I had that a few years ago when I was running on cambered roads and my illiotibial band (try saying that when you're drunk) in my left leg got very tight. Even walking caused me major knee pain before I finally admitted this was not something I could just "run through," and got some physio.

You're right, I know I should but I rarely stretch before or after cycling.

 

[400bhp]

Is the Uceni your bike in your album and the one which is causing you the problem?

The saddle position is really skewed

 

[brokenflipflop]

Is the Uceni your bike in your album and the one which is causing you the problem?

The saddle position is really skewed

Yes, that Iceni is my winter bike that I've been riding for last 3 months. The saddle does look strange but I have adjusted it several times since that picture and it's now almost totally straight/horizontal. One thing that is a bit strange though, on a bike fit video I watched, it said as a rule of thumb, the front wheel hub should be obscured by the handlebars when you're on the hoods and you look down. The hub on mine I can see, in front of the handlebars. I got a shorter stem - exactly the same as before. send that back and get a shorter stem still, exactly the same. I go back to the original 100mm stem. The bike is a 56cm and I'm normally a 54cm so maybe that difference is significant, maybe not. However, I'm slightly over 5'9" so apparently I'm slap bang in the middle of needing a 54cm and a 56cm. That saddle did look worse on the picture than it actually was but it is straight now.