Leg 'wobble'

skyblueamateur
skyblueamateur Posts: 1,498
edited February 2013 in Training, fitness and health
Since spending a bit more time on the turbo and focusing on my technique I've found that when pedalling at low cadences 75-85rpm my left knee 'wobbles'at the top of the stroke eg my knee angles into the top tube and then corrects itself.

I'm currently using SPD's and have the cleat dead centre. Can I correct this by adjusting the float to the left so the cleat is positioned more under the ball of my foot?

Any advise would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Comments

  • jgsi
    jgsi Posts: 5,062
    SPDs have a lot of float anyway... does it hurt?
    I use Keos with zero float and my knee tracking is well weird, but it dont bother me.
  • ShutUpLegs
    ShutUpLegs Posts: 3,522
    "
    My left knee is offset as well, just adjust the cleat
  • briantrumpet
    briantrumpet Posts: 20,789
    It's something I quite often see if I'm following other riders (and quite experienced ones too, using SPD-SLs). It doesn't seem to cause them any bother, though I do occasionally look down to check I'm not doing it, just cos it looks a bit odd to my eyes.
    https://www.facebook.com/unanglaisendiois
  • j_marvin
    j_marvin Posts: 13
    Sometimes cleat position (lateral, or rotation). Sometimes an indication that you need some arch support (insoles).

    If you do a bit of a warm up then ride a decent tempo for a couple of minutes, abruptly stop pedalling so your leg is roughly where it would be had you continued, and check that there's equal float left to right in the pedal. If there's acres of float in one direction but none in the other then it's a decent indication you'll need to rotate the cleat somewhat. Another one is to find a decent little hill and whack it into the big ring, keeping it around 50-60 rpm cadence. Can you feel your cleats clicking and clattering around? Should be another indicator as to weather the position needs tweaking.

    Either that, or you need arch support. Sometimes we can overcompensate for the lack of support in the shoes that we buy by rolling our legs into the top tube when we're trying to apply pressure to the inside-leg side of the ball of the foot.

    If it's violent side to side movement, get a bike fit, taking care to mention the issue.

    Thanks
  • alihisgreat
    alihisgreat Posts: 3,872
    Are you getting any pain from it?

    It may not be a bike fit issue too.. leg strength and stability can be a problem in some people.
  • ut_och_cykla
    ut_och_cykla Posts: 1,594
    One leg wobble my cause knee/back pain - but if you are okay - don't worry! I beleive its a muscle imbalance/tiredness thing - if you focus on pedalling 'right' it will be okay but its hard to maintain under load / after a while. Could be you have weaker muscles on inside of thigh, or that your position is hampering a good round stroke? - too tight hips?
  • skyblueamateur
    skyblueamateur Posts: 1,498
    Thanks for all the replies.

    Is a strange one, have no pain whatsoever and only noticed as it was mentioned in a workout on TrainerRoad.

    I've moved the cleat on both shoes to the left on my left shoe and to the right on my right shoe (I hope that makes sense) so that the pedal is more under the ball of my foot.

    Had two good spin outs over the weekend and found my knees never rubbed the top tube which did happen sometimes when I was pushing hard.

    Will be able to observe it better when I'm on the trainer tomorrow night.

    Thanks again for the replies 8)

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