Pain in right knee when climbing standing.

goonz

I went out for a ride yesterday and when out the saddle on a climb could feel a very slight twinge in the right knee. My daily commute is predominantly flat so do not experience any discomfort but yesterday I did feel something I imagine had the climbs been much bigger the pain would have become much more pronounced.

I did raise my seat height a matter of millimetres on the weekend as I felt my leg could be a little more straight so not sure whether this had anything to do with it or if it really is time for me to make the switch from mtb spd pedals to Time or Speedplay?

In terms of trying out pedals/cleats etc there is no other way of test riding other than buying and then selling on if they do not suit right?

Could turn into a pretty expensive test till I find the correct pedals!

Monty Dog

It's unlikely that increasing seat height will incur knee pain on it's own - hyper-extension is usually indicated by a pain in the tendons on the back of the knee, not the front. If the pain is on the inside/outside (side-to-side) of the knee, then it could be tracking / cleat alignment issue, whereas under the kneecap is often a case of over-doing it.

mr_joe0606

mtb pedal allows alot more movement with you feet. spd sl type pedal hold your feet and stop some movement depending how tight you have them set. but i will be corrected if wrong.

sungod

where on the knee is the pain?

may not be anything to do with pedals/cleats, or saddle height for that matter

goonz

Its sort of directly under the knee cap.

I had pain before but that was only after long rides which I put down to over use, but yesterday was very relaxed and easy. I cycle faster when commuting!

MrJoe I actually thought SPD-SL and equivalent allowed for more float than SPD pedals?

ADIHEAD

I get knee pain at times, I put it down to misalignment, I'm pretty clumsy generally as sometimes don't pedal with my foot flat on the pedal. Last time it happened I spent 30mins on the Turbo, concentrating on keeping my knees correctly aligned and it seemed fine after that. I do find the Specialized shims help though, last time I had a problems was wearing my spare Sidi's, back to the Spesh's and things seem fine.

Monty Dog

If the pain is under the kneecap, then it's most likely a chronic over use condition where the cartlidge becomes inflammed, commonly known as 'winter knee'. Typically alleviated by rest and laying off the big gears.

IanREmery

Monty Dog wrote:

If the pain is under the kneecap, then it's most likely a chronic over use condition where the cartlidge becomes inflammed, commonly known as 'winter knee'. Typically alleviated by rest and laying off the big gears.

That sounds like what I'm suffering from today. 26 miles (1300 feet of climbing) on the new road bike yesterday, right knee woke me up by throbbing at 3am this morning. I've had it before at about this time of the year, put it down to just being out of shape.

How long a rest is needed? Just 24 hours or more like a couple of days?

sungod

take an anti-inflammatory, ice it, rest it (look up 'rice' - rest ice compression elevation)

if it was bad enough to wake you up i'd take it seriously and make an effort to find and correct the cause

might be simple overuse, or with a new bike it might be a set up issue (or both, or something else)

IanREmery

sungod wrote:

take an anti-inflammatory, ice it, rest it (look up 'rice' - rest ice compression elevation)

if it was bad enough to wake you up i'd take it seriously and make an effort to find and correct the cause

might be simple overuse, or with a new bike it might be a set up issue (or both, or something else)

Had a proper bike fit when I got the bike, but it's only been 9 days so I think it's still the body getting used to the new postures.

Overuse has probably got something to do with it as well, done 19 miles on Friday and 26 yesterday. Both in near sub-zero temperatures. Shall rest it today and see how it feels tonight. Definitely will consider a docs appointment if it continues though.

Cheers