Knee pain and pedal systems---Zeros, Quattros, Frogs, others?

[Trekhawk]

I'd like to hear from folks who haven't been able to use SPDs because of knee pain. I started with SPDs and, while I liked them, my knees didn't. I used to dance and have chondromalacia, and SPDs gave me anterior/medial knee pain. I switched to Speedplay Frogs and the knee pain disappeared, but I've been advised by a bike fitter/physical therapist that the unlimited float in Frogs makes for an inefficient pedaling path. He refit me for SPDs, and...the knee pain came back, so much as I'd like to make them work for me, apparently I can't.

hey Salsa - I had SPDs and found they gave me pain (I have chondromalacia). I switched to Quattros and my knees are very happy.

I have been reading Andy Pruitt's complete medical guide for cyclists and from what I can gather the more float you have the less power output so choose the least amount of float you need to keep your knees happy.

[bikerchick68]

leave it to me to be the odd ball here! I rode Speedplay Frogs and had to STOP riding them... due to too much float. My bike position was wonky as well which played into the problem...

I got fit by John Howard (lucky me that he lives nearby!!!!) and he drastically changed my bike position and told me that I IMMEDIATELY needed to stop riding Frogs... and to switch to a NO FLOAT pedal. Which I did... immediately. I have not had any pain since! Apparently my legs have to be completely locked in to keep 'em straight forward and pain free... I'm on Speedplay Zero's now and am a happy, happy and pain free rider...

[KSH]

I switched to Speedplay Frogs and the knee pain disappeared, but I've been advised by a bike fitter/physical therapist that the unlimited float in Frogs makes for an inefficient pedaling path. He refit me for SPDs, and...the knee pain came back, so much as I'd like to make them work for me, apparently I can't.

Call me crazy... but what DOESN'T CAUSE ME PAIN... is what works for ME.

Is this guy your regular doctor, or just someone who works at the bike shop and physical therapy?

Do what makes your body feel good. If you didn't have knee pain with the Speedplays, what was the problem? Oh, the inefficient pedaling path. ????

I had knee pain, I switched to Speedplays, when I ride my foot typically doesn't float around while I am pedaling... and I can do a good 25 miles with a 17.5 mph average. Sure, I'm not totally hauling butt... but my pedaling is efficient... in my book.

Best of luck with finding what works for you. But I say, go with what doesn't hurt.

[Kathi]

The only pedal my ortho will allow me to use is Speedplays.

I have chrondomalicia in both knees.

I just had a bike fitting and the person who did the fitting said the best thing to do is check alignment and if there's a problem correct the alignment, with orthotics, shims, etc. Then work with the best pedal.

I have cycling orthotics and Speedplays and ride problem free.

As far as I'm concerned I'm better off letting my knees fall in their natural position and keep them happy.

I'm rehabbing a torn ACL/MCL and could still unclip my weak leg from the Speedplays.

Proper training, ie. building up base miles, weight lifting, spinning a high cadence also keep my knees happy.

[salsabike]

The fitter/PT is independent--not associated with any bike shop, which is exactly why I went to him in the first place. He's a very well regarded local cyclist, cycling coach, PT, and bike fitter--and all around good guy. His recommendation was just meant to give me as stable a pedal path as possible for efficiency on hills and such. We both hoped that with a very good fitting, the SPDs wouldn't cause knee pain--I expect he will be the first to agree that pain is bad, so lose the SPDs.

Thanks to you all for your info. It is very useful and much appreciated. I will for now go back to the Frogs, and will probably try the Quattros eventually.

[RedCanny]

Hi Ladies- thanks so much for posting on this. I've been having some knee pain lately in my "bad" knee (ACL & meniscus surgery 11 yrs ago). Haven't yet figured out what exactly is the culprit, but perhaps it's my SPDs. I haven't used them for long, but I recently took some longer rides than usual. I may just try a different pedal, and then see how the knee feels.

[KSH]

Hi Ladies- thanks so much for posting on this. I've been having some knee pain lately in my "bad" knee (ACL & meniscus surgery 11 yrs ago). Haven't yet figured out what exactly is the culprit, but perhaps it's my SPDs. I haven't used them for long, but I recently took some longer rides than usual. I may just try a different pedal, and then see how the knee feels.

Also make sure that you are not mashing your pedals... keep your cadence high (90-100). Mashing on the pedals can cause knee pain too.

[RedCanny]

Also make sure that you are not mashing your pedals... keep your cadence high (90-100). Mashing on the pedals can cause knee pain too.

Thank you- I've been getting better at spinning- though DH made a recent observation that his cadence is still faster than mine.