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

[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.