Spot of Knee Trouble.....

[threshold]

A bit of advice if possible please people, have moved onto a compact geared roadie from an mtb triple, and although I think I've set up seat height/ knee over ankle when riding etc correctly, I have discomfort in the right 'inner knee' joint, seems like a grumbling cruciate ( and believe me, after 20 years of rugby, you get to know these strange twinges).
I'm clearly using more 'power strokes' as I simply don't have the granny gears any more, but am I missing something in terms of positioning to help this?
Thanks in anticipation

 

[shippers]

Change of position might have done it. Lift your seat half an inch.
Do you have cleats? Maybe they need tweaking...

 

[threshold]

I do ride clipless, but if seat goes any further up, I'll be pointing my toes downward on the downstroke, but how can a 'cleat tweak' help, and what do I do?

 

[cyberknight]

Not grinding to higher gear?

I have just moved to a similar set up and after working out gear ratios my top gear is 13 inches bigger than my old bike so i have tried to back off pushing the same number cog and looked at running the equivalent ratio one to my old bike for now.

 

[threshold]

Hi Cyber,I've considered that when in top gear, but my bottom gear on the roadie is a few inches ( about 8-9") bigger than my granny ring on the mtb that I used to get up the couple of nasty little climbs on my commute.
So, as this low gear is all I've got, there's no option but to grind a little, more a function of my lack of conditioning/strength I know, but, when you're on the bottom cog, there's no where left to go, so just get on with it :-)

 

[HLaB]

I do ride clipless, but if seat goes any further up, I'll be pointing my toes downward on the downstroke, but how can a 'cleat tweak' help, and what do I do?

This article helped me understand the principle.

This also helped.

 

[threshold]

Thanks HLaB, will look into these issues

 

[cyberknight]

What cog you running at the back , maybe consider replacing the rear cassette with one with a larger "granny gear"?

Mines 12-25 and tbh i never use the granny gear but i am keeping the spread till i need a new cassette anyway as i can live with it.

Are you sitting down and grinding or standing up as well?

There are so many variables here , i would start with checking your cleats 1st as they can cause a lot of aggro if they are not right.i used the same article as Hlab suggested and it is really helpful.

 

[threshold]

Cyber, I am running a 12-25, with a 34/50 chainset, and mostly try to stay seated when on the worst climbs, but almost inevitably( especially when tired) have to 'knock it up ' a couple of cogs and stand to get the bugger up!

 

[Simba]

A bit of advice if possible please people, have moved onto a compact geared roadie from an mtb triple, and although I think I've set up seat height/ knee over ankle when riding etc correctly, I have discomfort in the right 'inner knee' joint, seems like a grumbling cruciate ( and believe me, after 20 years of rugby, you get to know these strange twinges).
I'm clearly using more 'power strokes' as I simply don't have the granny gears any more, but am I missing something in terms of positioning to help this?
Thanks in anticipation

I can relate to that. I had a potential career ending cruciate ligament injury. I played rugby from school upto the age of 19 when I hurt it. It still gives me problems 11 years on. I just grit my teeth and hope it passes if I get in pain.

As for positioning, just make sure your saddle is the correct height, you don't want your legs to fully straighten out.

 

[Riding in Circles]

Pedals with free float are your friend.