Knee Pain While Cycling

BeckyH

The last couple weekends I've been getting some minor knee pain towards the end of my rides- today my ABP ride never got started as I decided after the 30 minute warmup to head back in as I was not able to put any pressure on the left pedal at all. Not exactly sure where to start, I think it's my ITB ( familiar old enemy), pain is front left side of the left knee, pain varies from the side to under the kneecap.

Not sure if it's seat height related, pedal position, or just getting to the over-training stage of the game. I did have my seat height quite a bit lower than 'normal' the last few rides due to demoing new seats and adjusting the height, I did forget last weekend to raise it up to the correct height and felt it by the end of the ride. Any advice where to go from here would be great, have a big RR ride next weekend I'd hate to have to cut short, but I can't afford a knee injury right now either. Also have speedplay pedals that are realtively new to me, I set them up pretty neutral and have not really adjusted them at all, maybe I need more float, or to move them out... all kinds of things to try.

Shaughn Simmons

Becky I get those knees pains when I am in a high torque, low cadence situation. If my cadence drops below 60, I am really putting a lot of pressure on those knees when seated while climbing. I try to find a easier gear and bring that cadence up in those situations. If you don't have an easier gear, change your cassette to one that gives you a 27 or28 tooth tog.

I don't know if this is anything close you situation. Best advice is to listen to your body and back off when it begins to speak to you.

SS

BeckyH

I tend to have a fairly high cadence, I'm not much of a gear masher, so I don't think that's it... but definitely backing off!! I probably should have listened after last weekend... now I'm listening loud and clear. No arguing with painful knees!! Thanks for the response Shaughn.

Steve Ross

Pedal placement,tension of pedals and bike fit. Sounds something we should re visi!t

Michael Johnson

I have been told that Speedplays "can" contribute to Iliotibial Band Syndrome (pain on outside of knee). Might be something to consider.

Jess Withrow

How's the PF foot? You're not favoring that foot and putting more pressure on the opposite leg/knee, are you? I think you're on to something with seat height - a good friend of mine was having knee issues last year before IM Poconos and I raised her seat for her when we were out riding a couple weeks before the race... that pretty much solved the knee issue right away.

I've had similar problems with Speedplays, too. Tried them out and it was too much play for me, so I was right back to my SPD-SL's.

UGH! NO INJURIES NOW!!!

jamison.gaddy

General rule: pain in the front of your knee your seat might be to low and pain in the back of your knee ir may be to high. If it is you IT band rest and roll it. If it s your knee cap (patella femoral syndrome) take some time off and do some simle quad extensions. If you have not changed anything I would Not go moving stuff around. Your body may just be to tired. You might have some cleat wear or to much float. Give yourself a couple of days.

Beth_S

Hm. Definitely get that one checked out, because it could be a lot of things. My left knee pain has everything to do with my tight left hip flexor and pedaling technique. Sitting day job = bad for knee.

BeckyH

Foot does not bother me while biking- and I have the float closed down quite a bit. Just going to rest it this week, lots of ice, stretching, and revisit it next weekend. It's hard not to panic, but it's been really good up until this point, so moving the seat height around must have something to do with it. Thanks for the responses.

BeckyH

Steve- is there more stuff on this site about bike fit- is that what you meant by revisit? I don't think I can adjust my pedal tension...

Cyclingmaniac

Hey Becky,

Also check your knee/leg alignment to make sure you are not flaring your leg/knee in or out in some odd way. 

Dino Sarti

Could just be a little tendinitis. Try a week of ice a couple times a day and right after riding.... And, of course, take it easy for a week. Then. Get the bike tools out. Don't change everything and then wonder why happened to make things better, or worse....

ebe4zippy

Do you have knee pain when you run? Have you thought about perellar tracking syndrome. I usually see it manifest at my office as pain behind the knee cap, but I worked on a hockey player last year who pressented in the same way you are. He also ended up having a meniscus problem, so keep on top of it. You may actually want to put some play back into your pedal and see if that will help. Change one variable at a time so you can see what works and what doesn't.
Good luck!!!