Right foot touching the top tube
- Thread starter tdcadillac
- Start date
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tdcadillac
Active Member
dont know what you mean Sharky but I uploaded the picture of the shoes with the cleats
tdcadillac
Active Member
Thank you that was helpful to know what is available to upload videos
tincaman
Guru
- Location
- Chudleigh, South Devon
Your right knee rubs the top tube but not on every rotation, about 1 in 7. This may suggest you are moving on your seat. Check your seat position and saddle height. Do you have any pain in your right hip?
PaulSB
Legendary Member
- Location
- Chorley, Lancashire
In my opinion your legs and feet should not be touching the bike at all. If they are it means your position is wrong.
The photograph you posted shows your feet are not straight on the pedals as the heel is turned in towards the bike. It also appears your knees are turned inward.
I would suggest you should concentrate on straightening both. I do mean concentrate, your body and mind will both be used to this as your natural position. It will take months to teach yourself to automatically use a new position. It's something you need to think about and check throughout your ride.
You mentioned having one leg longer than the other. You also mentioned pain in your hip. Your photograph suggests you pronate on the bike which may be why your legs appear to be leaning inward. I have one leg longer than the other, a tendency to pull to the right when cycling, hip pain and I pronate.
Do you wear a heel raiser and/or inserts during day to day life? If not I feel you should consider seeing a podiatrist about this, you may be given a heel raiser and shoe inserts. Try to find one with a good knowledge of bio-mechanics.
All the issues I had were solved in a week after seeing a podiatrist and starting to use both.
With uneven leg length your saddle height will be wrong for one leg and probably both. It will be a compromise attempting to make both legs comfortable. After I began to wear a heel raiser I had to increase my saddle height by 1.5cm. Doing so improved my overall position and riding but more importantly corrected the tendency for me to put to much pressure on the right down stroke which used to cause me to veer to the right.
The photograph you posted shows your feet are not straight on the pedals as the heel is turned in towards the bike. It also appears your knees are turned inward.
I would suggest you should concentrate on straightening both. I do mean concentrate, your body and mind will both be used to this as your natural position. It will take months to teach yourself to automatically use a new position. It's something you need to think about and check throughout your ride.
You mentioned having one leg longer than the other. You also mentioned pain in your hip. Your photograph suggests you pronate on the bike which may be why your legs appear to be leaning inward. I have one leg longer than the other, a tendency to pull to the right when cycling, hip pain and I pronate.
Do you wear a heel raiser and/or inserts during day to day life? If not I feel you should consider seeing a podiatrist about this, you may be given a heel raiser and shoe inserts. Try to find one with a good knowledge of bio-mechanics.
All the issues I had were solved in a week after seeing a podiatrist and starting to use both.
With uneven leg length your saddle height will be wrong for one leg and probably both. It will be a compromise attempting to make both legs comfortable. After I began to wear a heel raiser I had to increase my saddle height by 1.5cm. Doing so improved my overall position and riding but more importantly corrected the tendency for me to put to much pressure on the right down stroke which used to cause me to veer to the right.
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I have a similar problem with my right knee brushing the top tube because my right leg bows inwards slightly whilst my left leg is straight.
My solution was to rotate the position of the saddle clockwise very slightly. Not by much, just half a centimeter or so was enough to move the position of my right leg out a bit.
So when you look down the line of the saddle from the back of the bike, instead of the saddle being perfectly centered and in-line with the top tube, it is pointing to the right a bit.
The important thing though is comfort. It needs to still feel "natural" and not as if you are forcing the leg out and making pedalling feel unnatural, because you could end up with knee problems.
My solution was to rotate the position of the saddle clockwise very slightly. Not by much, just half a centimeter or so was enough to move the position of my right leg out a bit.
So when you look down the line of the saddle from the back of the bike, instead of the saddle being perfectly centered and in-line with the top tube, it is pointing to the right a bit.
The important thing though is comfort. It needs to still feel "natural" and not as if you are forcing the leg out and making pedalling feel unnatural, because you could end up with knee problems.
What I meant was - if you loosen the cleat bolts, can you slide the cleats from side to side? If fine tuning, could make a difference, but from the other comments, think there are other issues.
Good luck
T.M.H.N.E.T
Rainbows aren't just for world champions
- Location
- Northern Ireland
IMO: Cleats right back and set straight but towards the inside of the shoe.
This will in effect, widen your stance and help bring your knee away from the TT.
This will in effect, widen your stance and help bring your knee away from the TT.
Spiderweb
Not So Special One
- Location
- North Yorkshire
You could try SPD pedals with longer axles which will move your foot further away from the crank arms or these pedal extenders which I’ve just seen on Amazon, didn’t know they existed but a cheaper option to move each foot out by 20mm.
View: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Winnerruby-Extenders-Bicycle-Spacers-Pedals/dp/B07J2B9L84/ref=asc_df_B07J2B9L84/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=427909170859&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9966377197692286363&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046690&hvtargid=pla-914375327698&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=105123033248&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=427909170859&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9966377197692286363&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046690&hvtargid=pla-914375327698
or a bit cheaper here;
View: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sandis-Mountain-Bicycle-Extension-Extender/dp/B08925JNYX/ref=rtpb_17?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B08925JNYX&pd_rd_r=d10fb633-4181-46dd-82fe-09f46aac4c43&pd_rd_w=KfqlM&pd_rd_wg=FxyfX&pf_rd_p=f3b429bf-04f9-44c1-845e-fa18956e9ff0&pf_rd_r=06Q6M0DSZ6SMT6JBM64A&psc=1&refRID=06Q6M0DSZ6SMT6JBM64A
View: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Winnerruby-Extenders-Bicycle-Spacers-Pedals/dp/B07J2B9L84/ref=asc_df_B07J2B9L84/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=427909170859&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9966377197692286363&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046690&hvtargid=pla-914375327698&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=105123033248&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=427909170859&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9966377197692286363&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046690&hvtargid=pla-914375327698
or a bit cheaper here;
View: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sandis-Mountain-Bicycle-Extension-Extender/dp/B08925JNYX/ref=rtpb_17?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B08925JNYX&pd_rd_r=d10fb633-4181-46dd-82fe-09f46aac4c43&pd_rd_w=KfqlM&pd_rd_wg=FxyfX&pf_rd_p=f3b429bf-04f9-44c1-845e-fa18956e9ff0&pf_rd_r=06Q6M0DSZ6SMT6JBM64A&psc=1&refRID=06Q6M0DSZ6SMT6JBM64A
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ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I don't agree with forcing your body to do what it doesn't do naturally. I pedal heels-in/toes-out but I also stand and walk that way!
PaulSB
Legendary Member
- Location
- Chorley, Lancashire
I agree one shouldn't force the body to do anything but I'm also considering the number of cyclists one sees riding in a poor position.
The OP asks a question but doesn't give info on how he naturally walks. From what I can see in the video and photo his position could be improved but yes if he walks or stands with splayed feet this may not be the answer. From the little info we have I think the issue is related to leg length and probably a tendency to pronate.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I saw one rider with his saddle so ridiculously low that his knees were stuck way out as he pedalled and he was labouring on a very gentle gradient. I rode up to him and politely suggested that he would find it a lot easier if he raised his saddle by 2 or 3 inches. He told me to eff off and mind my own business!
I've given up giving unsolicited advice out on the road now...
rogerzilla
Legendary Member
Good pedalling style has always been to almost brush the top tube with your knees...but your feet?! Maybe on a BMX.