Pedals for loose knees

[ilima]

I have wonky knees and ride Speedplay. If you are riding road, there are several models from which to choose. The Zero allows you to set how much float you have, and you can adjust inward and outward float separately.

I have the X2s, which do not have adjustable float. If I had a do-over, I'd get the Zeros. I can say that unclipping is absolutely effortless with the Speeplay, something that is not true of most pedals.

I was having some trouble with hotspots, so I decided to try Shimano's SPD-SL Ultegra (road) pedal. I did like the wider platform, although I didn't like that it was single sided. But what I really, really dislike was the amount of force needed to unclip. I felt like every time I unclipped (which could be a lot depending on the route I'm taking and time of day--I don't trackstand) I was doing damage to my knees.

Once I figured out that my hotspots were more a function of my socks (I only use very thin ones now), I sold the Shimanos on ebay and went back to my Speedplays.

During every pedals stroke I can tell my right knee goes a bit wonky and my heel moves outward. I'm sure I am losing a bit of power. But every time I see my foot move, I figure that is energy that is not being used to tear my knee apart, as it would with pedals with no or more limited float.

[gbuz67]

I second the Speedplay Zeros
1) you can choose to have float or have them fixed. I ride mine fixed I find it greatly helps stabilize my knee.. but they need to be fixed in the proper position.
2) They are easy to get in and out of
3) You don't have to twist your foot as far as some others like Look & Time to get out of the pedals which is good for bad knees.

I too have bad knees.. Loose ligaments in my shoulders, hips and knees. This is greatly benefited by lifting and trying to get those muscles surrounding those joints strong because the ligaments won't hold the joints together so the muscles need to do more then their normal share.

Personally, i have not had much luck with PTs. I know there are good ones out there but I have not found any. However, I have had good luck with a chiro who does more then just chiorpractic.. he evaluates gait, does orthodics etc etc. I have also had great luck with massage in helping knee issues.

I DO have eSoles in my cycling shoes and if you ever have the opportunity to be fitted by Peterson himself do so.

-grace