Ladies...thanks for the great responses!

Kathie...I dropped the saddle by about an inch and am not able to move it forward as it is as far as it can go. In all honestly, I think this bike is too big for me. It's a men's bike, 19" frame and I'm 5'9". I bought this bike 2 years ago and am only starting to really take an interest in it now and of course have only recently found this great forum! I find that I am reaching for the handlebars more than I would like to be reaching.

I don't use clipless pedals, but someday I will. The idea has been spinning around in my head, especially after reading many of the posts here.

Interesting about your hamstrings and ACL relationship. I hope your exercises and biking help you to get stronger and heal. I can't help but wonder if this is also a part of my problem with my hamstrings not being as strong as they should as I've been letting my quads and knees do all the work.

VenusdeVelo.....you've tapped into my dreams....someday I hope to grow up and actually have a butt! Perhaps putting many miles on my bike this summer will help!

On the downstroke, I'm using quads but since I lowered my seat I can really feel my hamstrings and may actually be using them more than then quads! I rode to work 4 times this week and could feel the hammies every day. And the knee pain comes at the top so perhaps what I am learning here today is that I am not set up properly on my bike, or it is too big for me. I shall investigate.