Cycling UK Forum

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?

Welcome.

Is that kink in your knee at the bottom of the stroke with your foot in the normal riding position on the pedal?

Do you use toeclips or system pedals or similar?

Could you add some photos or video of you riding past the camera?

Jonathan

Swipez wrote: ↑8 May 2023, 11:31am... but I'm too embarrassed to talk about it as it may seem strange to alter your cycling when you're nearly 50.
...

I'd take a different position: try different positions!

: - )

Jonathan

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?

I have no idea how often other people change positions. I'd encourage everyone to experiment.

Your knee is suffering. I wouldn't let that continue. Play with the available adjustments until it doesn't.

And if you can't prevent it I recommend seeking professional help.

Jonathan

i have had pain on the inner side of the knee on one leg for a long time , afaik my fit is good and it doesnt hurt when cycling .
Physio said i had weak inner quads causing an imbalance on the joint which has caused the issue, i am waiting for an appointment with a consultant in a couple of weeks to confirm it .

It's a curious thing, random pain with no definable cause. I rode for years with toeclips and straps using single sided platform pedals but when I treated myself to a shiny new touring bike, on transferring the very same pedals to the new bike I developed pain on the inner side of my right knee. Despite all the adjustments I could think of, it wouldn't go away. As a final attempt, I put an old pair of cheap plastic pedals on
from my bits box (Emgo or similar) which would take the clips and straps. Amazingly, the pain vanished so I bought a new set of the same pedals in the interest of longevity, and the problem disappeared. The cheapies were more spacious so whether my foot was able to find its natural angle more easily, taking the strain off my knee, or whether it was something else, it certainly worked.

Although I use my current touring bike less nowadays and find plain pedals give more freedom on towpaths and trails I've not had a recurrence of knee pain since.

Perhaps experimenting with pedals might work for the OP too?

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

Even very tiny changes in foot position can result in discomfort! To put this little example in context, i've been riding since i was 13, i'm 60 now and i'm very particular with getting my pedalling action just so.

Three weeks ago i bought and fitted new cleats for a cycling trip in Germany, thats a bit irrelevant except to say part of the trip was a 200km plus day event. The cleats were all lined up as usual, exactly as the worn cleats were and off i went. First ride, within 100 metres i had knee discomfort, by twisting my foot slightly it went away so on my return to base i moved the cleat by no more than 1mm, in fact it was still on the same markings on the shoe. Following day, a nice 100km ride with no soreness whatsoever.

Yes i use step in pedals and i find a more rigid grip keeps my leg from wandering in the pedal stroke, worn pedals/cleats show up for me in a niggling knee pain. I'm sure its the same mechanism for the OP, new footwear with a different sole, or more wear to the shoe or pedal allowing or forcing the leg into a different position. IME its always the leg you use for balance, for most people its the left, that shoe/cleat will see more wear and therefore its more likely to allow a bad foot alignment,

Good luck in getting it sorted

(and yes, i had a pain free 200km ride completed in just over 7 hours)

Like most of us I experimented. As a teenager I grew up with toe clips and straps , done up tight quite often Never noticed a problem as was a late changer to clipless in the early 90's. Tried all sorts but to be honest my knackered knees, one severely chopped about and the other needing that, respond best to cleats with minimal float. I set them right and identical on all my bikes and all is well. 100 milers cause no issue yet a heavy bag of shopping walking around twon kills them.
Play around a bit, don't abandon something immediately and you'll find what works for you.