Slight knee pain/cleat position/seat position.

Hi guys the backside of my knee, a tendon at the absolute top of my
calf, gives me pain when I cycle, and off the cycle, walking up stairs,
produces a "clicking" sensation in the back of the knee so to speak.

Now here are some thoughts, I would appreciate any ideas.

1. Read in a magazine that pain in the back of the knees is cured with
lowering the saddle. I think I have it low enough, I can "drop" the
heel under the pedal axle, when clipped in and in the bottom position,
without moving on the saddle.

2. I have noticed that I do not sit completely "straight" on the bike.
What I mean is that my hip/a*s seems twisted, so that the left
leg/knee, comes closer to the frame, and the right leg, comes further
away from the frame. I feel I am not sitting straight on the saddle I
think. The saddle is straight, I have a cervelo soloist, and the saddle
can only be straight due to the aero post.

3. My right foot, is a little bit longer than the left foot, this means
that my left foot sits further "back" on the pedal, at least the heel
does so to speak.
This moves my right leg back compared to the left leg. This would twist
my hips/a*s/legs/knees as in 2 above. Could this cause 1 above?
I am thinking of adjusting the cleats, bring the right foot, slightly
back, and the left foot slight forward, so the cleats are in the same
fore/aft position on both, meaning that the heels on both feet will be
in the "same" position.


I hope you can understand what I mean. I am sick and tired of my
kneeproblems on this bike. I have been off the bike for months, got rid
of the problems, back again and issues. I have NEVER had these issues on
any bike before. The MTB does not seem to irritate at all. So, I reckon
the issue is with my cleat, seat position. I also have a fairly
pronounced drop to the bars, would that aggravate this? I does not feel
weird when sitting on the bike though, can go for 3 hour spins without
any serious pains, other than knee. The pain is such that I can usually
ride, feel it for the first 10 mins or so, then gone for the rest of the
ride, maybe feel it now and then for a moment during the ride. Feel it
in stairs as said before though. Anyone had similar problems and cured
them?


--
Claes

Claes wrote:
Hi guys the backside of my knee, a tendon at the absolute top of my
calf, gives me pain when I cycle, and off the cycle, walking up stairs,
produces a "clicking" sensation in the back of the knee so to speak.

Now here are some thoughts, I would appreciate any ideas.

1. Read in a magazine that pain in the back of the knees is cured with
lowering the saddle. I think I have it low enough, I can "drop" the
heel under the pedal axle, when clipped in and in the bottom position,
without moving on the saddle.

2. I have noticed that I do not sit completely "straight" on the bike.
What I mean is that my hip/a*s seems twisted, so that the left
leg/knee, comes closer to the frame, and the right leg, comes further
away from the frame. I feel I am not sitting straight on the saddle I
think. The saddle is straight, I have a cervelo soloist, and the saddle
can only be straight due to the aero post.

3. My right foot, is a little bit longer than the left foot, this means
that my left foot sits further "back" on the pedal, at least the heel
does so to speak.
This moves my right leg back compared to the left leg. This would twist
my hips/a*s/legs/knees as in 2 above. Could this cause 1 above?
I am thinking of adjusting the cleats, bring the right foot, slightly
back, and the left foot slight forward, so the cleats are in the same
fore/aft position on both, meaning that the heels on both feet will be
in the "same" position.


I hope you can understand what I mean. I am sick and tired of my
kneeproblems on this bike. I have been off the bike for months, got rid
of the problems, back again and issues. I have NEVER had these issues on
any bike before. The MTB does not seem to irritate at all. So, I reckon
the issue is with my cleat, seat position. I also have a fairly
pronounced drop to the bars, would that aggravate this? I does not feel
weird when sitting on the bike though, can go for 3 hour spins without
any serious pains, other than knee. The pain is such that I can usually
ride, feel it for the first 10 mins or so, then gone for the rest of the
ride, maybe feel it now and then for a moment during the ride. Feel it
in stairs as said before though. Anyone had similar problems and cured
them?

Go and see Emma Colsen - http://www.topbike.com.au/physio.htm

Or, Inspired Orthotics : http://www.ios.com.au/

Claes Wrote:
Hi guys the backside of my knee, a tendon at the absolute top of my
calf, gives me pain when I cycle, and off the cycle, walking up stairs,
produces a "clicking" sensation in the back of the knee so to speak.

snip

I am sick and tired of my kneeproblems on this bike. I have been off
the bike for months, got rid of the problems, back again and issues. I
have NEVER had these issues on any bike before. The MTB does not seem
to irritate at all.

More snippage




My 2c worth*

If I had knee pain, or any position related pain, on one of my bikes
I'd find someone qualified &/or experienced to check my fit.

Take both bikes & your shoes etc to "someone" & get measured.

*warning I am not a sports physio, nor do I play one on TV.


--
Bikesoiler

"Claes" wrote in message
...

Hi guys the backside of my knee, a tendon at the absolute top of my
calf, gives me pain when I cycle, and off the cycle, walking up stairs,
produces a "clicking" sensation in the back of the knee so to speak.

Now here are some thoughts, I would appreciate any ideas.

1. Read in a magazine that pain in the back of the knees is cured with
lowering the saddle. I think I have it low enough, I can "drop" the
heel under the pedal axle, when clipped in and in the bottom position,
without moving on the saddle.

2. I have noticed that I do not sit completely "straight" on the bike.
What I mean is that my hip/a*s seems twisted, so that the left
leg/knee, comes closer to the frame, and the right leg, comes further
away from the frame. I feel I am not sitting straight on the saddle I
think. The saddle is straight, I have a cervelo soloist, and the saddle
can only be straight due to the aero post.

3. My right foot, is a little bit longer than the left foot, this means
that my left foot sits further "back" on the pedal, at least the heel
does so to speak.
This moves my right leg back compared to the left leg. This would twist
my hips/a*s/legs/knees as in 2 above. Could this cause 1 above?
I am thinking of adjusting the cleats, bring the right foot, slightly
back, and the left foot slight forward, so the cleats are in the same
fore/aft position on both, meaning that the heels on both feet will be
in the "same" position.


I hope you can understand what I mean. I am sick and tired of my
kneeproblems on this bike. I have been off the bike for months, got rid
of the problems, back again and issues. I have NEVER had these issues on
any bike before. The MTB does not seem to irritate at all. So, I reckon
the issue is with my cleat, seat position. I also have a fairly
pronounced drop to the bars, would that aggravate this? I does not feel
weird when sitting on the bike though, can go for 3 hour spins without
any serious pains, other than knee. The pain is such that I can usually
ride, feel it for the first 10 mins or so, then gone for the rest of the
ride, maybe feel it now and then for a moment during the ride. Feel it
in stairs as said before though. Anyone had similar problems and cured
them?


Do you use the same shoes on the mtb and roadie? If so, the cleat position
is probably OK (although your thoughts on different foot size sound
logical). I'd have expected the problems on both bikes if it was cleats (and
you wear the same shoes).

Are your measurements the same on both bikes? No, not your inner leg, the
distance from seat to pedal, seat to bars, etc? You made a comment on the
drop to the bars - mtbs certainly sit you more upright.

Are you just trying to push too big a gear? Mtbs are geared much lower, so
you put less force on your knees - especially when climbing.

A fit specialist may help, or they may give you a good starting point. Can't
be a bad thing.

Hope that's some help

Tony F

tony f Wrote:
"Claes" wrote in message
...

Hi guys the backside of my knee, a tendon at the absolute top of my
calf, gives me pain when I cycle, and off the cycle, walking up
stairs,
produces a "clicking" sensation in the back of the knee so to speak.

Now here are some thoughts, I would appreciate any ideas.

1. Read in a magazine that pain in the back of the knees is cured
with
lowering the saddle. I think I have it low enough, I can "drop" the
heel under the pedal axle, when clipped in and in the bottom
position,
without moving on the saddle.

2. I have noticed that I do not sit completely "straight" on the
bike.
What I mean is that my hip/a*s seems twisted, so that the left
leg/knee, comes closer to the frame, and the right leg, comes
further
away from the frame. I feel I am not sitting straight on the saddle
I
think. The saddle is straight, I have a cervelo soloist, and the
saddle
can only be straight due to the aero post.

3. My right foot, is a little bit longer than the left foot, this
means
that my left foot sits further "back" on the pedal, at least the
heel
does so to speak.
This moves my right leg back compared to the left leg. This would
twist
my hips/a*s/legs/knees as in 2 above. Could this cause 1 above?
I am thinking of adjusting the cleats, bring the right foot,
slightly
back, and the left foot slight forward, so the cleats are in the
same
fore/aft position on both, meaning that the heels on both feet will
be
in the "same" position.


I hope you can understand what I mean. I am sick and tired of my
kneeproblems on this bike. I have been off the bike for months, got
rid
of the problems, back again and issues. I have NEVER had these issues
on
any bike before. The MTB does not seem to irritate at all. So, I
reckon
the issue is with my cleat, seat position. I also have a fairly
pronounced drop to the bars, would that aggravate this? I does not
feel
weird when sitting on the bike though, can go for 3 hour spins
without
any serious pains, other than knee. The pain is such that I can
usually
ride, feel it for the first 10 mins or so, then gone for the rest of
the
ride, maybe feel it now and then for a moment during the ride. Feel
it
in stairs as said before though. Anyone had similar problems and
cured
them?


Do you use the same shoes on the mtb and roadie? If so, the cleat
position
is probably OK (although your thoughts on different foot size sound
logical). I'd have expected the problems on both bikes if it was cleats
(and
you wear the same shoes).

Are your measurements the same on both bikes? No, not your inner leg,
the
distance from seat to pedal, seat to bars, etc? You made a comment on
the
drop to the bars - mtbs certainly sit you more upright.

Are you just trying to push too big a gear? Mtbs are geared much lower,
so
you put less force on your knees - especially when climbing.

A fit specialist may help, or they may give you a good starting point.
Can't
be a bad thing.

Hope that's some help

Tony F
Different shoes for the different bikes. I do ride the MTB with the
seat lower than the road bike, simply to aid off road riding, sliding
behind the seat, absorbing bumps while seated and stuff.

I do not ride with a low cadency, I sit at 95 to 103 on the flats.
Riding steep up hill, I still maintain high 80s.

Going to a "fit specialist" is definately an option. More ideas are
still welcome.


--
Claes

Claes wrote:

Going to a "fit specialist" is definately an option. More ideas are
still welcome.

Wave chicken gibblets over your helmet, tie a garter belt to your
seatpost and ride while doing gregorian chants and clapping your hands
in time to the orbit of mars.

Or, see a specialist with repetitive strain injuries like we're all
suggesting.

Claes Wrote:
Different shoes for the different bikes. I do ride the MTB with the seat
lower than the road bike, simply to aid off road riding, sliding behind
the seat, absorbing bumps while seated and stuff.

I do not ride with a low cadency, I sit at 95 to 103 on the flats.
Riding steep up hill, I still maintain high 80s.

Going to a "fit specialist" is definately an option. More ideas are
still welcome.

www.cyclingnews.com has a Fitness Q&A column (searchable) where bike
fit and hip/knee/ankle/leg pain are perennial problems addressed. You
may find some guidance and tips there. But like the others, after doing
your research, I would then seek help from a qualified person (and NOT a
LBS sales person) eg IOS or Emma Coulson types.

I say do your research first, so that 1) you understand what the h3ll
the qualified person is saying to you when they are discussing your
problem and 2) so you also have an idea if they are really addressing
your problem or just spinning you some fairy dust.


--
warrwych

Claes Wrote:
Different shoes for the different bikes. I do ride the MTB with the seat
lower than the road bike, simply to aid off road riding, sliding behind
the seat, absorbing bumps while seated and stuff.

I do not ride with a low cadency, I sit at 95 to 103 on the flats.
Riding steep up hill, I still maintain high 80s.

Going to a "fit specialist" is definately an option. More ideas are
still welcome.
Maybe the answer is hidden here?
http://www.bikenow.com.au/u-fit/index.htm

Good luck with it...

cheers,
Ali


--
alison_b

On 11 Dec 2005 20:14:12 -0800, Bleve wrote:

Wave chicken gibblets over your helmet, tie a garter belt to your
seatpost and ride while doing gregorian chants and clapping your hands
in time to the orbit of mars.

Or, see a specialist with repetitive strain injuries like we're all
suggesting.

I'm off to pick up my orthotics this evening to help fix a similar problem.
Just in case they don't work, what's the orbital period of Mars, or do I
swing a Mars bar on a string round my head and clap in time to that? Would
sticking "Masters of Chant II" [1] on the CD work rather than chanting
myself (which would endanger anyone within earshot)?

Graeme

[1] WTF I have this for I don't know, Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" has
never sounded so bad!

Graeme Dods wrote:
On 11 Dec 2005 20:14:12 -0800, Bleve wrote:

Wave chicken gibblets over your helmet, tie a garter belt to your
seatpost and ride while doing gregorian chants and clapping your hands
in time to the orbit of mars.

Or, see a specialist with repetitive strain injuries like we're all
suggesting.

I'm off to pick up my orthotics this evening to help fix a similar problem.
Just in case they don't work, what's the orbital period of Mars, or do I
swing a Mars bar on a string round my head and clap in time to that? Would
sticking "Masters of Chant II" [1] on the CD work rather than chanting
myself (which would endanger anyone within earshot)?

You got the garter belt? That's the most important part.

[1] WTF I have this for I don't know, Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" has
never sounded so bad!

You -could- swap a lost soul for a goldfish bowl, which might work ...