Yeouch! Knee problems.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Just don't confuse front-of-knee (or back-of-knee) pain with ITB Syndrome. It is often the case that a too-low seat can cause front-of-knee pain, and a too-high seat can cause behind-knee pain. What we have been talking about here is a pain on the outside side part of the knee; it's actually an inflammation of the Ilio-tibial band, which runs along the outside of the leg. But yes, seat too high or too low can definitely cause knee problems of various types.

I agree, Emily- my pain was indeed in the FRONT of my knee, and was probably caused by that too-low bike seat.

[Pascale]

I agree, Emily- my pain was indeed in the FRONT of my knee, and was probably caused by that too-low bike seat.

I've raised my seat height twice and am still experiencing front of the knee pain. Are you supposed to be able to touch the ground with your toes when still seated? Because I no longer can - I have to jump off when I come to a stop and then try to jump back on and get moving when it's time to move (very intimidating when I'm battling traffic at intersections cuz sometimes my shorts get caught on the seat and it's just so clumsy looking). I'm not sure how high I should raise it? Keep going until there's no pain? Get a step-ladder? LOL

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

An update since I got my OWN bike last week:

I had some significant front of knee pain appear just that one time when I rode a too-small loaner bike for 2 hours one day. The pain lasted several days afterwards, then faded away.
Now I've been riding for days on my new bike that fits me just right, with no sign of any knee pain so far.
For what it's worht: If I stop at an intersection, I simply cannot stay on my saddle and keep balanced with my toes touching the ground. I HAVE to hop off the saddle, or else fall over to one side. I slowly brake to a stop, then I simultaneously hop forward off the saddle with my right foot on the pedal in the down position, while putting my left foot solid on the ground. Then I adjust right foot on its pedal in the front up "ready' position. When ready to go, I sort of hop up slightly onto the saddle while pushing on the right pedal to get going forward. I am pretty unsteady still, but this doesn't take TOO much skill. Every day I get better at it.
Other people use different methods. Probably more graceful and more efficient methods!
Try practicing starting and stopping in an empty parking lot or empty street. You are not supposed to be able to stand on the ground with your feet while in the saddle, is all i know. I was professionally fitted when I picked up my bike, and my husband knows a lot too and helped me get the saddle height just right. It "seems" too high at first, but I can see why a lower saddle would not be good.

[Pascale]

Lisa - thanks for sharing that.

I was told at one bike shop that I should be able to reach the tips of my toes to the ground at least, but that just isn't happening, at least on this frame of bike!

[Bikingmomof3]

I was told at one bike shop that I should be able to reach the tips of my toes to the ground at least, but that just isn't happening, at least on this frame of bike!

I cannot touch from my saddle. My saddle height is adjusted so my leg is in the correct position when pedaling. I do not have a problem balancing though. so I was of no help.

[Veronica]

You should not be able to touch the ground with your feet when your butt is on the saddle, not even tippy toes. Unless you have some really huge feet -like size 19s or something.

When you're sitting on the saddle, your leg should just about fully extend at the bottom of the pedal stroke.

V.

[Bikingmomof3]

Yay! It is good to know I was fitted properly.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Instead of adjusting your seat height based on being able to touch the ground while in the saddle, I would think it's MORE important to create the best distance between your "down pedal" and your seat. Nothing to do with where the ground is. In other words- maybe it's more important to create a good leg postion when your at your extended (pedal down) leg position. Just a thought: Riding all the time with your knees bent too much so that you are able to balance on your toes at a stop light has little to do with being a pain free biker for hours on end while riding. I'm not saying that's what's causing your problem, but it seems to me you are basing your saddle height on ground level instead of on good leg/knee angle. Maybe I'm wrong. But all angles are worth persuing!