Clipless pedals and knee pain

Hello all :)

I hope everyone's summer was great - as we're headed into fall, I'm finding that I'm actually going to have time to start riding again. It's been nearly a year for me. The last time I rode, I experienced debilitating knee pain, forcing me off my bike and nearly unable to walk to the nearest place to be picked up. I was unable to ride for the remainder of the summer and had to quit my fall tennis league. I feel as though maybe my pedals were angling my knee in such a way that it caused issues. Although I know that I can re-angle the pedals, I'm wondering if a different type of pedal would be better for me, that maybe my knee being stuck in one position for over 25 miles just doesn't work. I'm pretty new to cycling - is this what "floating pedals" are for? Any advice is appreciated - thanks!

What pedals are you currently using? There are a couple things it could be: Your fore/aft saddle position may need to be tweaked; your cleat position may need to be tweaked; or you may need new pedals entirely. Have you had a bike fitting done? If you and your fitter have adjusted the first two things and you're still hurting, you probably need new pedals. "Float" in a pedal refers to amount you can "twist" before unclipping. That translates into how much freedom your knee has to move as you pedal. Large amounts of float (like that found on the Speedplay Light Action pedals--14 degrees) can be either a good or bad thing for knees. Definitely talk to a fitter.

I'm experiencing similar issues right now, I think. Good luck.

Thank you. I was fit for the bike when I purchased it, and rode long distances without issues for 2 years. The bike shop that I purchased the bike from is really too far away to go for another fitting, though.

My husband who is bowlegged also had knee issues when he went clipless (his knees would swell up at mile 20 on flat road). He went to a Certified Bike Fitter who shimmed his pedals. With the shimmed pedals, wearing soft knee sleeves, and taking Motrin before biking, he was able to complete 36 miles with several Category 5 hills today at more than 15mph (including the hill time). Ask the Certified Bike Fitter, but probably a pedal with a larger degree of float is good for you. Hopefully, there is a certified bike fitter close to your house. If not, it's worthwhile to do the drive.
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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

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Originally Posted by Pascale

Thank you. I was fit for the bike when I purchased it, and rode long distances without issues for 2 years. The bike shop that I purchased the bike from is really too far away to go for another fitting, though.

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Tigermom does have a good point--you might have a leg-length discrepancy (many people do) that doesn't matter on flat pedals, but causes problems clipped in. (My fitter put a shim in either my shoe or cleat (can't remember) to help with that).

I think if it's causing enough pain that you can't ride and are having a hard time walking, it's well worth the drive to do another fitting. It's cheaper than the conseqences.

Ah, good point, ladies - I'll do some research into another fitting. Thanks so much! (I love this place!)

I'm assuming you're not mashing too hard a gear? My knees feel it immediately if I'm much under 70rpm (I can manage slower cadences the longer I ride).

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Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

I'm assuming you're not mashing too hard a gear? My knees feel it immediately if I'm much under 70rpm (I can manage slower cadences the longer I ride).

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I don't believe so, I try to make it pretty easy on myself :)

Ok, apparently this has nothing at all to do with my pedals - as I rode my horse for 2 1/2 hours yesterday and I had the same problem with my other knee. This is the longest that I've ridden her in about 2 years, most have been short rides and I haven't noticed it. I'll do some digging around the site as I thought I saw some good discussions about knee pain as it relates to problem hips. Thanks for the advice, all!!

Any chance your IT band might be too tight? I've had problems on and off this summer with my right knee and every time it's turned out to be really a tight IT band. My right knee has a bit of arthritis but that seems to be doing fine. If you have a foam roller it might not be a bad idea to try rolling them out.

I'm sure that it's entirely possible - I've never even heard of it until I started browsing the forum, so I'll definitely check that out. It's pain/stiffness on the outside of the knee ... does that sound about right?

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Originally Posted by Pascale

I'm sure that it's entirely possible - I've never even heard of it until I started browsing the forum, so I'll definitely check that out. It's pain/stiffness on the outside of the knee ... does that sound about right?

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For me it is the inside of my knee on the top, not the outside. I don't know if it could cause problems with the outside or not but am sure that someone here will say something if they have had that happen.

Bump.... I'm reviving this thread since I am pretty sure I'm having IT Band syndrome issues right now :-( This past weekend I rode 63 miles while unknowingly missing a bolt in my cycling shoes. Thought I wasn't gonna get home, the pain was intense. I took 3 days off and felt really good so decided to go out and ride yesterday. Somehow, don't ask me how, I ended up getting mixed into the B group not the B- group like I headed out with. By the time I realized I went with the wrong group it was too late. Honestly the ride was fine until 20 miles in and I got that little sticking pain on the outside of my left knee. It exponentially got worse to the point I was almost to tears. I basically rode the last 15 miles with my right leg. I stopped and told the ride leader what was going on at the 20 mile mark and they were all very understanding and the guy who rides sweep hung back with me which was awesome. By the time he and I limped back I was ready to die! I could hardly drive my car (stick shift) the pain was immense. Today it's loads better but the clutch on the car is still really uncomfortable. I am icing it, taking ibuprofen and staying off the bike. I also just picked up some Glucosamine and Chondroitin at Walgreens to add to my hopes of getting well as quick as possible. My question is how long should I stay away before I try to ride again? I guess 3 days wasn't enough before so I was hoping to get an idea from some of you who have had this issue how long it took?