Ache in thigh muscle

robspecialized
robspecialized Posts: 7
edited June 2010 in Road beginners
Hi - First post here. I have just purchased my first road bike (specialized Allez triple), and its great. I have been doing a lot of mountain bike riding on the road prior to my switch, but having been on some rides with my road bike i have an ache in my thigh muscles almost like lactic acid. Could it be that my saddle is too low ??? any thoughts or suggestions for warming up prior to riding would be appreciated.
Specialized Allez Triple 2010

Comments

  • mattward1979
    mattward1979 Posts: 692
    You shouldnt really need to warm up all that much before a ride as the cycling is pretty low impact.. a Warm down at the end can stop cramps etc though!

    Where exactly is the pain?

    If its towards the knee then possibly saddle too low,
    Near the top then it could be too high and your hips are rocking as you pedal.

    As a general guide, lean yourself up in a doorway, and place your heel on the pedal when it is at the very bottom of the stroke. Your leg should be pretty much straight, with your hips level still. If one side of your hip needs to dip to reach, your saddle is too high. If you have a crook in your knee its too low.

    Very general but a good starting point!
    exercise.png
  • White Line
    White Line Posts: 887
    Could just be that you're not using your glutes so much as on the MTB. :?

    Try the saddle height though. I find the LeMond method pretty good. But as always, YMMV - just tinker with it a bit I guess. http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/fitness/ar ... 4608?img=2
  • perhaps you're cadence is too low and need to spin a bit more?
  • Hi All,
    Thanks for your advice - i raised the saddle a bit prior to my ride tonight and i have noticed a big difference. I took your advice about the pedals and a straight leg.
    Not only has my average speed increased, but my time for the same route i did on Sunday has come down by 4 minutes.
    Ache is still there a tiny bit, but as I get more used to the road bike, i am sure this will go. It feels like lactic acid and does go when i am on a straight
    Specialized Allez Triple 2010
  • mattward1979
    mattward1979 Posts: 692
    perhaps you're cadence is too low and need to spin a bit more?

    Sounds like this could be the issue too... Try a lower gear, higher cadence!
    exercise.png