Pain in back of knee

[Catrin]

Sunday afternoon after my ride I took my Trek by my new LBS and had the fitter watch me as I rode around the lot. I was actually more concerned that I had my grips/handlebars adjusted properly, but he noted that my saddle as about an inch too low. So yesterday I raised my seat-post a little over half an inch before heading out.

This morning I have pain behind one of my knees and they are tender. The tenderness is easily explained, I rode 75 miles in three days - and last week I rode 95 miles (between Sunday and Sunday). That isn't really a lot, many of you do this in one day - but for a new cyclist this is a lot. Am jogging tonight to mix it up.

It is the pain in the back of my knee that had me wondering - could that be from changing my seat-post height? It is not persistent, just comes and goes and when it is present it actually feels more like a cramp or throbbing kind of thing. It does seem to be gone now so I am not concerned that any damage has been done. It may simply be that I've been pushing the distance of my rides and that it is time to take a day or two off.

[OakLeaf]

Pain in the back of the knee (like in the popliteal area) is a pretty classic sign of a high seat ... which doesn't necessarily mean that your seat is actually too high, especially since your fitter thinks it's still too low. More likely it's just too much too soon.

Half an inch (12 mm) is a LOT to change seat height all at once. If I need to change mine, I'll go 3 to no more than 5 mm at a time. Ride at least 100 miles to let my body adjust, then go the next step.

Since they're already sore, be extra careful. Ice today if you can (no more than 15-20 minutes at a time, and not too close to your evening workout) and definitely after your run. Try putting your seatpost back up maybe just 2 mm lower than it was for a week or so, then go the next step and see how it feels.

[Catrin]

Pain in the back of the knee (like in the popliteal area) is a pretty classic sign of a high seat ... which doesn't necessarily mean that your seat is actually too high, especially since your fitter thinks it's still too low. More likely it's just too much too soon.

Half an inch (12 mm) is a LOT to change seat height all at once. If I need to change mine, I'll go 3 to no more than 5 mm at a time. Ride at least 100 miles to let my body adjust, then go the next step.

Since they're already sore, be extra careful. Ice today if you can (no more than 15-20 minutes at a time, and not too close to your evening workout) and definitely after your run. Try putting your seatpost back up maybe just 2 mm lower than it was for a week or so, then go the next step and see how it feels.

Thanks - and I had thought that .5 inch wouldn't be too much, apparently not. The interesting thing is that the knee that was giving me problems this morning is on my longer leg. My knees have been tender for a couple of days though - primarily the lower quads close to the knees. That feels much better after my gentle ride last night. Will lower the seat to just a little higher than it was and proceed as you have advised. I don't want to over-do and injure myself.... I enjoy cycling so much that I need to be careful not to overstress my knees.

[Catrin]

Thankfully the pain is gone, and the running seemed to be fine on my knees. It was fun, but I would rather be on my bike I will adjust my seat and proceed a little more slowly with raising it that inch.