A fitting and a little secret

[emily_in_nc]

I had a compact double on my Aegis Swift and a triple on my Bike Friday. After my pelvic fracture/surgery, it hurt to ride my Bike Friday but not my Aegis. I could never figure out exactly the difference because there were geometry differences (seat angle, etc.) as well, but q-factor was definitely a possibility. I am glad this thread came up as it reminded me of that.

I ended up selling the Aegis because I wasn't doing that kind of "go fast" riding after my accident, but in the end I regretted it as I would have liked to have had it to compare with my Friday years later to see if I still had pain only on the Friday. It may have been that years later even the Aegis would have caused me pain, but perhaps not.

I do think if I buy another road bike in the future I'll stick with a compact double and Speedplay pedals, just in case that makes a difference.

[Miranda]

OK, I am not a doctor, though I do play one on tv, haha JK!

But anyrate, to those of you saying your knees go in-ward on your pedal stroke, I had to dig out my Andy Pruitt's "Complete Medical Guide for Cyclsits" book as I recalled reading about this when looking some things up for my new shoes cleat placement.

There is such a thing called "forefoot varus" that affects up to as many as 87% of feet. This link is not from Andy, but some other random website I googled that had some sort of pic...

http://www.thebikebutler.com/images/kneealign.jpg

Basically it's saying if your forefoot has this funky slanted shape your knee will drive inward towards the top tube in your pedal stroke, vs straight up and down like a hammer.

He also gives some methods of correcting that if that's the underlying issue. I believe orthotics.

Fwiw.

Also, I would agree on the q-width factor. I hated my triple on my old Giant roadie. Ok, granted I'm in the midwest, vs CO. But I like my two rings much better. I feel my knees are happy also. And just in general my pedal stroke seems better. I have a compact double now. I kinda hate it, frankly. And am thinking about switching to a standard double. Reason being I miss my 39 ring. The 34 ring is worthless imo and I end up riding the 50 all the time. My Shimano Ultegra bolt pattern on my crankset is not compatible to just switch out the rings themselves the wrench said, so just saving to get a whole new set.

Owlie, I'm glad your fitting went so well. And your test ride on your future bike was fun too. I was happy to see my old Giant bike sold. It was two frame sizes too big for me from a diff lbs (who screwed me over). Live and learn (expensively). Praying for tree pollen to be done soon also. Good Luck!

EDIT ADD: This just popped into my head... when I had my bike fitting, I was able to watch myself pedal in a mirror in the trainer. Just my right knee goes inward for some reason. But then again I do have scoliosis (among other med stuff) &my body is just funky to one side, including that foot (&that knee was injured before). Just food for thought if you are able to watch yourself pedal.