Bike Fit/Knee Pain

[owlgirl]

Hi everyone, this is my first post on the forum, so forgive me if this post is misplaced, I couldn't figure out where to put it.

I've been riding for two years now on a beautiful steel bianchi; I've had knee pain issues before but I got my bike all set up right, and these troubles went away. I maintained ~80-90 miles per week without any problems. One of the things that helped me the most were superfeet inserts in my bike shoes.

This year I got a new carbon cannondale. The bike is amazing and fast, but I cannot seem to get it fit right. I'm sure it's the right size, I think it's the cleat position that is not right. i've been to the LBS 4 times now and it's just not working out. to make matters worse, my knee issues are flaring up, this time in both knees (before it was only the right knee) and i can't ride as much as i'd like. I am so upset; the knee stuff is also affecting my running, and I feel like i'm losing fitness because I can't train like i used too.

I don't know if I should go back to the LBS or find someone new. I have been working with several different people at the LBS and sometimes i feel like they contradict each other. They also have never heard of the superfeet inserts and say the support is in the wrong place (near heel, as opposed to middle of the foor/arch area). Has anyone else been through anything like this? I am so bummed that I can't just get out there and hammer away like I used to :( I would appreciate any advice you have to give

[Grog]

Hi and welcome to TE.

I would recommend finding an independent bike fitter. Ask around for recommendations. There are a lot of people from around Oakland here, maybe they will have suggestions.

Good luck.

[TxDoc]

+1 on finding another pro fitter and having a new fitting done.
What model/size Bianchi did you ride before and what model/size Cannondale are you riding now - what is the geometry? What kind of fitting process did your shop do (what exactly was measured and what was not)?

[owlgirl]

The bianchi is an eros, 51cm, a little big for me actually. The cannondale is a 48. the next size up was a little too big. Unfortunatly not too sure about the differences in geometry. Stupidly I did not measure (or have myself measured) on the bianchi before I took the seat off, etc.

As for what the LBS measured, I don't know the exact names of all the angles, but we started with seat height, and knee angle, the guys watched me from the front, but I heard no mention of q-angle, which I feel might be important in my case.

Is anyone out there from Oakland? can you recommend someone for a fitting? Is there a better forum to ask that in? Thanks again for the advice so far.

[spindizzy]

Welcome!

+1 to what Grog and Txdoc said.

I have a marvellous bike fitter who helped me with the same problem. (knee pain). He made sure the fit was still good and then he adjusted my cleats and shimmed them (put these thin yellow spongy things between my cleat and the shoe)..perfect.

[TxDoc]

The bianchi is an eros, 51cm, a little big for me actually. The cannondale is a 48. the next size up was a little too big. Unfortunatly not too sure about the differences in geometry. Stupidly I did not measure (or have myself measured) on the bianchi before I took the seat off, etc.

As for what the LBS measured, I don't know the exact names of all the angles, but we started with seat height, and knee angle, the guys watched me from the front, but I heard no mention of q-angle, which I feel might be important in my case.

Is anyone out there from Oakland? can you recommend someone for a fitting? Is there a better forum to ask that in? Thanks again for the advice so far.

I do not know anyone in Oakland, but if you ask in the regional sections here and on the Bike Forums www.bikeforums.net you will find some suggestions. The bikeforums have a lot of users so I'm sure there must be people from your area.

That sounds like a quick fit they gave you. Did they fit you on the correct crankarm length and pedal position, and set the cleats for you? Incorrect crankarm length may be a big factor on knee stress. The same is to be said about pedal/cleats position: cleats can change the position of your foot on the pedal, the circle you male, and also the angles your ankle and knee may make. Also, the position of your back and upper body has an effect on the % of weight that your feet have to support and therefore the amount of work your knees do - so they may need to review your seat/stem/handlebar position as well, in order to find your best fit. I think you need a really good fitter that takes his time to help and find your optimal setup.

The reason I asked you about the geometry is to see right off the bat if they are widely different from each other. I know the Bianchi geometry, I've been riding Bianchi's for 30 years - but I have no clue about the Cannondale. If there is a marked difference - that could give your fitter some more clues on what to look for.

Hope this helps. Oh and by the way, welcome to TE!
:)