Cycling UK Forum

Absolutely fantastic responses and good, kind advice. I may change my footwear!

Yes, my foot is in a comfortable standard position at the low stroke of the pedal; I’m very happy with my saddle height after years of tweaking. I don’t use toe clips or cleats as I’m paranoid about falling off especially on towpaths. An older gentleman in his mid-60s informed me that cleats were a “game changer” which I appreciate but I’m happy with what I’m doing.
I don’t have any footage I’m afraid but I’m just sort of wondering aloud if it’s quite unusual to change your pedalling style after nearly ten years?

Hi, noob here. Been browsing over this forum and it looks like a great and friendly place to be. I hail from near Dudley and started cycling at the age of 38 nine years ago, keeping mainly to towpaths and flat roads on my bog-standard but trusty Trex FX1. I lost nearly 5 stone after the first year of cycling and considering I'm still about 3 stone overweight my average pace is 10.5 mph which I'm pleased with; I'm not one to try and get PBs on Strava, etc. Had a good few falls with some nasty sprains and bruising like the rest of us but I've noticed my left knee aches more after 20 miles and takes a couple of days to calm down. I've done the worst thing by Googling it and self-diagnosing ITBS.

I've been observing the younger generation cycle (hoodies now seem to be the preferred head protection) and saw that their saddle was either too low or they were cycling with their knees splayed out. My saddle height is perfect with a slight kink in the knee on the lower pedal but I have started to cycle last 3/4 rides with my knees closer to the frame which kept touching my corner frame bag initially which was annoying and distracting before I moved it and I've put more rotation into my ankles when pedalling.

I think this has worked or it my be psychosomatic but I reckon I've got about 10% more efficiency and the pain is less in my knee.

Sorry for waffling on but I've been meaning to ask some cycling friends but I'm too embarrassed to talk about it as it may seem strange to alter your cycling when you're nearly 50.

Thoughts?