Finally got my road bike!!

I'm very excited - I've been doing about 70-100 miles a week on my clunky comfort bike and have been wanting a road bike forever.

I finally got my Bianchi via narone!! I just love it. I rode it for 3 weeks with platform pedals because they had to order my cycling shoes (I have really small feet) - I've ridden 3 times this week with my clipless. I thought I'd never be able to learn to clip in and out, but it came easily to me.

Problem? About 3:00 am this morning I started feeling my left knee stiffen up, and as the morning went on it began to swell. Checking on the forum, it seems I may need a pedal that allows float... as I can't imagine what this knee thing could be if not from the pedals - I don't typically have knee problems. Now it's swollen above and to the inside of the kneecap and I can barely put weight on it. But thankfully, by searching the message boards, I may have solved the problem quickly! I don't post often, but I read a lot, and always appreciate what all of you have to offer - I love it here!!

I hope you get the knee issue worked out! I can't help there, but I want to say congrats on the new bike. As always we want pictures.

Take care of the knee, and maybe some of the ones who have been through the fit classes (knotted and wahine) will weigh in here. If not, pm them. Knotted has helped me a lot on many things!

Float may be what you need, but there's also seat height, cleat position, seat position and crankarm length (probably in that order). Have you got to some of the threads that discuss those? Did your LBS set your seat height and install the cleats onto your shoes, or did you do it yourself? What kind of pedals did you get?

+1 on posting in the Health thread and/or PMing one of the PTs if you want more specifics. Take care of that knee! Hope it feels better soon!

Everything was adjusted at my LBS and was very comfortable for the first 3 weeks of riding - this is the first time my knee has felt tweaked (after 70 miles with the clipless - Wellgo WPD-823's). The other knee feels fine - unfortunately the LBS i bought the bike from is VERY far away, so getting there to do any more fine tuning is probably not going to happen for a while - but I'm sure I'll get it figured out :) thanks so much!

Yup, you're right, you need more float. (or tweak the orientation of your left pedal)

If you can't get your current pedals adjusted to your knee's satisfaction, may I suggest you try a pair of Speedplay Frogs?

This is a really good book to have handy: Andy Pruitt's Complete Medical Guide for Cyclists. http://www.velogear.com/prodinfo.asp?number=VP+APMG

Congrats on your new bike - I bet it's a beauty!

Hope your knee is better soon -- and many more happy miles put on your Bianchi.