How long are your crankarms?
Several wonderful suggestions already, but I'd wonder about shorter crank arms as well. I'm 5'7", but I've switched all my bikes to 158-165 crank arms and I ride faster, because I can spin faster, and my knees are very happy for the change.
If you are 4'9", I'd think you could easily go to 150 cm cranks or even shorter.
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Thread: New bike and ouch my knees!
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08-08-2008, 12:42 PM #1
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08-08-2008, 07:41 PM #2
Don't whine
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Hee hee! I'm darn near the same height as you (5 foot 8) and I like my crank arms to be 175mm! (but I'm a masher) Ahhh, the wonderful variety of human mechanical function!
Originally Posted by TsPoet
"If Americans want to live the American Dream, they should go to Denmark." - Richard Wilkinson
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08-10-2008, 10:37 AM #3
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I, too, felt that way for years. Then I got a ride buddy who yells at me and insults me every time I switch into the big chainring. He's done wonders for my riding! Now I spin much faster, I went from an avg cadence of ~63 to one of ~80, my knees feel better, but I never would have done it without his constant, and annoying, badgering. Originally Posted by KnottedYet
I was happy before, I'm happy now.
But, my recommendation was based entirely on her feeling cramped, smaller cranks = significantly less knee bend and much less of a cramped feeling.
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08-10-2008, 10:53 AM #4
Don't whine
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I just love that there are so many variations available, that let us choose the parts that suit each person's body and riding style best. 20 years ago, I'd never have dreamed I could choose different cranks or different sized bars, or even a different saddle! I just rode what was on my bike.
It's great, being able to make a bike fit so well!"If Americans want to live the American Dream, they should go to Denmark." - Richard Wilkinson
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08-10-2008, 11:27 AM #5
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Except for the expense Originally Posted by KnottedYet
and that I can't stop tinkering, it can become an illness 
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