Knees and Cycling

M

MSH

Member
Hi All,

I was wondering if any of you have come across this knee issue in your training. I've been experiencing this "pressure" feeling in my knee when I am pedaling downward in higher gears. It doesn't exactly hurt, but it feels like something is being tugged on inside my knee making it unstable. I feel it on interior side of my left knee (the side of my knee facing the frame of the bike.

I am used to knee issues from non-cycling activities, but I was wondering if anyone had some "fit" guidance that could reduce this pressure. I've read around and will move my saddle back to take pressure off the knees, but would welcome any advice from those who've been there.

Cheers!
 
While I don't recall the saddle adjustment to knee pain criteria (well documented on the web), every mm of adjustment in your saddle height, for and aft positioning (for starters) will effect your knees in different ways. It is good that you identified an issue early on to avoid 'riding through it' and potentially causing an injury.

If possible, I would stop by the LBS and ask them to check the aforementioned. While the effect of incorrect fit on your body is less noticeable on the mountain bike than it would be on the road, the mere fact that you notice something is off is enough to justify your looking into it professionally.

Here is a quick reference I found.

Good luck.
 
MSH said:
Hi All,

I was wondering if any of you have come across this knee issue in your training. I've been experiencing this "pressure" feeling in my knee when I am pedaling downward in higher gears. It doesn't exactly hurt, but it feels like something is being tugged on inside my knee making it unstable. I feel it on interior side of my left knee (the side of my knee facing the frame of the bike.

I am used to knee issues from non-cycling activities, but I was wondering if anyone had some "fit" guidance that could reduce this pressure. I've read around and will move my saddle back to take pressure off the knees, but would welcome any advice from those who've been there.

Cheers!
Click to expand...
Here's another idea: If you're using a cleated pedal/shoe system, it may be holding your foot, and by extension, your left knee in a slightly torqued position. Based on your description of the "tugging," your foot may be too externally rotated (i.e., toed-out). You may be able to adjust this from the pedal, or if not, you could try rotating the cleat slightly so that your left toe points a little more inward. Could be worth a try...
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the advice. I'll reach out to my LBS.

Fitman: it's funny you bring this up. I tried clipless for the first time this month, and the first thing I noticed is how "inward" my legs felt while riding the bike. However, I wasn't sure if this was simply the efficiency brought on by going clipless.
 
MSH said:
Thanks for the advice. I'll reach out to my LBS.

Fitman: it's funny you bring this up. I tried clipless for the first time this month, and the first thing I noticed is how "inward" my legs felt while riding the bike. However, I wasn't sure if this was simply the efficiency brought on by going clipless.
Click to expand...

If your ride with SPDs there is usally a few millimeters of play you can adjust the cleat on your shoes. This includes inward/outward and front/back as well as the angle. Even though its only a few millimeters...it makes a difference.

Also I recall when I switched to clippless from platforms that the cleat is more towards the front of my feet vs. on platforms I used to tend to ride with more of my foot pressure towards the arch of my feet. This does affect how you fit on the bike.
 
MSH said:
Thanks for the advice. I'll reach out to my LBS.

Fitman: it's funny you bring this up. I tried clipless for the first time this month, and the first thing I noticed is how "inward" my legs felt while riding the bike. However, I wasn't sure if this was simply the efficiency brought on by going clipless.
Click to expand...

My instincts tell me that having your feet feel like they're pointing in a "comfortable" direction is best (i.e., "neutral" alignment for your particular foot/knee anatomy). Like RIDEON said, small adjustments can make a big difference. Are you saying that your knee pain has occurred after moving to clipless pedals in the last month, or that you tried clipless and returned to flats, but still feel the "tugging?"
 
there are also insole inserts if you have some camber adjustments in your ankles to make up for knee alignment.

was reading some fit chick tips about moving the cleat aft of the ball of the foot to relieve ankle strain - which may translate to relief on the knee.

your seat might need to go up with the clipless - make sure your knee never goes forward beyond your toe (lbs should check this, and your knee angle with crank arm along the seat tube - about 30deg) - legs may also be a significantly different length.

lbs should also have you pedal in a trainer to check alignment - knees straight to slightly pinched in. i don't understand the biomechanics of crankarm length - but it might be something.

good luck - knee pain sucks.
 
FitmanNJ said:
My instincts tell me that having your feet feel like they're pointing in a "comfortable" direction is best (i.e., "neutral" alignment for your particular foot/knee anatomy). Like RIDEON said, small adjustments can make a big difference. Are you saying that your knee pain has occurred after moving to clipless pedals in the last month, or that you tried clipless and returned to flats, but still feel the "tugging?"
Click to expand...

Hard to pinpoint the exact time of the pulling sensation since I partake in other sports. My bike that's clipless is currently in the shop, I'll need to evaluate how I feel after I ride once i get it back.

Thanks for the input!
 
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