SPD's and knees.

StumpyPaul

I currently ride with my SPD's but I am suffering with 1 bad knee which I am in the process of getting sorted out. I read that Crank Bros pedals are better for your knees, is this right ? I am considering getting some Candys if this is likely to be less harsh on the knees.

Would just like to know people's thought's / experience's with the above if any one has any !

heez29

Change position of the cleat? Shoes can play a factor, I find it's easier if the shoe isn't as tight as a walking shoe.

getonyourbike

Time pedals if you have knee problems as they have a lot of float, they're also great pedals anyway. They last ages, don't get clogged with mud and clip out nicely

Hothouse

The key is to loosen off the pedals as much possible to create float and to make it easy to clip out quickly. Sit on the edge of a table with your legs hanging, look at your foot position and your cleat position needs to mimic that position. If your feet are clipped in tight and straight this could lead to ITB syndrome (pain on the outside of your knees). Specialised shoes also have an insole that attempts to keep the foot in the optimum position.

MountainMonster

It's all about finding the right cleat posistion, as a few above me have said.

I have a bad left knee as well, and with the cleats properly seated I find my whole legs are much better off, not just me knees. I'd get cramps in thighs or calves if they were a bit off, but no pain what so ever. As far as with knee problems, I find SPD's a lot better, as i'm not bouncing around so much on the pedals or moving around alot.

StumpyPaul

Ok thanks all, better have a play with my cleat position then by the sounds of it.

TrekTim

Good advice

Steve_b77

It may well be worth having them set up by a pro

Anonymous

StumpyPaul wrote:

I currently ride with my SPD's but I am suffering with 1 bad knee which I am in the process of getting sorted out. I read that Crank Bros pedals are better for your knees, is this right ? I am considering getting some Candys if this is likely to be less harsh on the knees.

Would just like to know people's thought's / experience's with the above if any one has any !

Have a word with a sports physio.
I haven't ridden with SPDs in nearly a decade, but when I had physio for my dislocated knee, my physio warned me to not ride with any kinds of SPD any more, due to the strange position of my knee.

Now, that might not be the case for you, but I think it's worth getting it checked out in case you mess things up.

milfredo

Anothing thing to consider with the cleat after the tension is that you dial in equal float in both directions. If say you are 'bumping' the point where you would dissengauge the peddle during normal riding, you will get sore knees (kind of hard to explain)

nomako_man

also look at seat position, i had to give up tt'ing and road racing coz of a knee problem i picked up riding lands end to john o groats. It was caused by having saddle slightly too far back and cleat on shoe 2mm out of line....now have lovely mild case of patella tendinitis and im only 25!!! (though the 57-11 on the tt bike cant have helped )

naomimac92

Post has been deleted

ilovedirt

My toes point slightly outwards naturally, that's how i set my cleats up and they've absolutely no bother at all. It may take a little time to get them exactly right though. As people have said, you need to set them up for your feet.