Achy knees after fitting....(long!)

[VeloVT]

I DO get knee pain if my saddle's too far forward. It's a very specific, localized pain though. I've gotten to the point that if I feel that specific pain, I know I need to push my saddle back a little. It feels like a tendon or ligament, and it's directly above my kneecap. Moving my saddle back during a ride can make it disappear suddenly, even if it's been bothering me for miles.

But the pain I get from saddle position is quite different than what you're describing... it really feels like there's one tendon I'm straining, it's not generalized like your pain. So I have no idea if your pain is related to the saddle changes, but it *is* possible.

Anything else different you've been doing? (Lifting weights, playing tennis, etc.)...

[motochick]

I had this problem and moved my cleats as far back as they would go in my shoe. This moved my feet forward of the pedals, toward the front of the bike.
I also run my cleats as far to the outside as I can get them.
Maybe it will work for you.

Brenda

[KSH]

Move the seat back. Just try it. I bet that's the one thing that has probably impacted your knees the most. Just a guess.

As your knees get back to normal, focus on high cadence, 90+. And trust me, once you get use to high cadence you will never look back.

Good luck I hope you heal up!

[KnottedYet]

Yup, another vote for moving the seat back.

A plumb line dangling from your knee should hang 0-3 cm behind the pedal spindle when your pedal is at the 3:00 (or most forward) position.

A tiny bit of movement forward of the seat can be enough to cross *your* knees' happy line. (everyone is different, which is why the plumb line measurement gives you a good bit of wiggle room) My knees like being closer to the 3cm end of the range, someone else's might prefer to be closer to the 0 cm end.

[KathiCville]

Thanks for the input! I think I'll go ahead and move the seat back to its original position today and then do another gentle 10-miler to see if that makes the difference. Les intentionally marked the old saddle position for me so I'd be able to move it back, if necessary. I'm hesitant to fool with the cleats or pedals at all because he thought those were set up 'just right.'

After icing my knees last night AND taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, I definitely feel better today. I'm sure some of the achiness is a result of having pushed my knees/legs more than usual on those two rides simply because I was feeling so much more comfortable with the new riser bar. Ha, ha, I need to remember that I'm 50, not 25!

By the way, I nabbed the only copy of Andy Pruitt's Medical Guide for Cyclists at the local bookstore last night---great reading!

[Starfish]

I just went through something like this. Had a bike that worked pretty well for me, but bought new shoes, pedals, and had a total fitting at the same time. LOVED several things about the newer fit (more aero, delighted that my back was happy with the lower position, etc.).

BUT, knee pain that I have never had on the bike before. Messed with everything from cleat width, angle, shimming, etc. Saddle fore/aft, etc.

Finally, I am back to the old shoes/pedals/fit...and knee pain is slowly going away. We just never did figure out exactly what part it was...as everything like plumb lines and so forth seemed to be "OK."

I still would like to make some adjustments and see about the new shoes, and a more aggressive bike...but, it is more important to me to just be able to get out and ride! So...back to the old position/fit.

Sorry...kinda long winded...just wanting to affirm that even small seat changes can make a big difference in knee comfort, and it might make sense to just put the bike back to where it was comfortable.

[KathiCville]

Thanks, Starfish!....After I posted my question, I remembered seeing some recent posts by you about knee problems. And was wondering if you're feeling better. Glad to hear that you're on the mend---or at least are finding your way back to comfort on the bike. I've already moved my seat back to the old spot, but I'm going to give my knees another day or two before I go out for a spin. That will give them a chance to recuperate before I test whether putting the seat back makes the key difference. Killin' me, however, not to be out on a pretty country road on my bike, 'cause it's GORGEOUS today, LOL! Ah well, my garden needs as much TLC as I can give it this weekend.......

[ehirsch83]

Hey Kathi-
Off Topic here, but where along the blue ridge are you? My wonderful BF is from up that way and we might be venturing up that way at some point to visit(he is from the northern neck area). I have no idea if that is anywhere near you and IfJane, but I know he always talks about how he used to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway....

[ehirsch83]

Hey Kathi-
Off Topic here, but where along the blue ridge are you? My wonderful BF is from up that way and we might be venturing up that way at some point to visit(he is from the northern neck area). I have no idea if that is anywhere near you and IfJane, but I know he always talks about how he used to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway....

On the knee pain, a little tiny adjustment can create a huge amount of pain. I would have it checked out. Also remember that everyone's insides are different, so what might not cause pain for one person could cause pain for you. You might want to have them move the seat back to where it was, but tilt it up.