Left thigh closer to to tube than right whilst pedalling?

seanoconn

What could cause my left thigh to be closer to the top tube than the right?

My left thigh occasionally brushes the top tube whilst pedalling which isn’t an issue but my right would take a considerable effort to touch the top tube. And when I look down at my thighs, the left is visibly closer.

My left hip isn’t quite as flexible as my right but I have no other leg imbalance/length difference that I know of.

Thoughts?

webboo

Tilted pelvis?

bianchi_dave

My right knee brushed the top tube for years, normally under heavier load, climbing etc.
I improved it somewhat by aligning my knees better with new shoes (S works) which have a built in varus tilt, and also good quality insoles to support my arches.
If you don't get sore feet at all I wouldn't worry too much about it - might just be your physiology.
Arch support might help though

seanoconn

Don’t think so. Good posture and can rotate the pelvis forwards and back without problems.

bianchi_dave

Meant to say - might also be worth checking your cleat rotation. If you're toe'd in, this can also cause your knee to brush top tube. Toe out has the opposite effect.

seanoconn

bianchi_dave said:

My right knee brushed the top tube for years, normally under heavier load, climbing etc.
I improved it somewhat by aligning my knees better with new shoes (S works) which have a built in varus tilt, and also good quality insoles to support my arches.
If you don't get sore feet at all I wouldn't worry too much about it - might just be your physiology.
Arch support might help though

Arch support for both feet or just the one that’s rubbing the top tube/has further to reach the pedal?

imposter2.0

Presumably your saddle is straight?

seanoconn

Ok, it may have been wonky, and would explain the saddle rub on one side today but in no way does that reflect on my competency as a cyclist and it could happen to anyone.

When my saddle is straight, my left thigh is still closer to the top tube.

webboo

Do you dress to the right by any chance.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

Are you slightly bow-legged?

seanoconn

N0bodyOfTheGoat said:

Are you slightly bow-legged?

Nope, legs straight as an arrow.

bianchi_dave

seanoconn said:

bianchi_dave said:

My right knee brushed the top tube for years, normally under heavier load, climbing etc.
I improved it somewhat by aligning my knees better with new shoes (S works) which have a built in varus tilt, and also good quality insoles to support my arches.
If you don't get sore feet at all I wouldn't worry too much about it - might just be your physiology.
Arch support might help though

Arch support for both feet or just the one that’s rubbing the top tube/has further to reach the pedal?

I have Arch support in both. I also used to get wear marks on only the left buttock of my bibs, and right sided low back pain. A local bike fitter put shims under my left cleat, and also wedged the cleats, 3mm on left and 1mm on right. Cleats are staggered too, with the left being a few mm further forward than the right, although both are quite far back on the shoe. My right knee still occasionally comes close to the top tube but its usually once I'm very fatigued.

Without going to an experienced fitter it will be a bit of trial and error, but it certainly sounds like your knee is tracking inside the pedal. Best to only make small adjustments at a time, as its easy to end up with knee pain if the change is too drastic.

vincesummerskRoxcBTr

People are generally not completely symmetrical, if you look at cyclists from behind, like on a televised race, many of them have different positions for left and right legs.
Does it cause any discomfort?

MattFalle

If it doesn't cause any discomfort, isn't making you ride into hedges or fall off and this is the first time in however many years of riding you've done that you've bothered being worried about it then I wouldn't really worry about it.

mully79

ive worn through the undercoat on my right frame tube where my leg rubs. I'm not even sure when i do it.
its probably worth sticking a protective strip on to save your paintwork.

seanoconn

Doesn’t cause any discomfort, feel stable on the seat, hips aren’t rocking. Weird I never noticed it on any other bikes. Maybe new bike is wonky. 🤷‍♂️

masjer

MattFalle

seanoconn said:

Doesn’t cause any discomfort, feel stable on the seat, hips aren’t rocking. Weird I never noticed it on any other bikes. Maybe new bike is wonky. 🤷‍♂️

Best buy another just to check. One of those Pearson aero bikes. They look sweeet.

MattFalle

seanoconn said:

Doesn’t cause any discomfort, feel stable on the seat, hips aren’t rocking. Weird I never noticed it on any other bikes. Maybe new bike is wonky. 🤷‍♂️

Tbh though, i wouldn't worry about it if thats the case.

I'm the same on the right side due to generally being broken all over but doesn't really make any difference to my smooth, gentle, supreme power making souplesse sur la plaque

verylonglegs

I have also always had this on all bikes, my left knee almost brushes the top tube. Mentioned it to my Dad once and he said he did it too so I just accepted it.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

Maybe this is a sign of being a potential track cyclist talent, with those marginal aero gains.

First.Aspect

Is your bike symmetrical?

photonic69

Problem solved…

photonic69

Left leg you say??

davidof

webboo said:

Do you dress to the right by any chance.

a touch of the Philippe Gilberts you mean?

MattFalle

davidof said:

webboo said:

Do you dress to the right by any chance.

a touch of the Philippe Gilberts you mean?

If you've seen Mrs G then you'll understand.

me-109

Is that the Pro cockandballs insert in those shorts?

davidof

MattFalle said:

davidof said:

webboo said:

Do you dress to the right by any chance.

a touch of the Philippe Gilberts you mean?

If you've seen Mrs G then you'll understand.

i bet she's bow legged

MattFalle

She's utterly wonderful. Reinforces the point that Europeans do everything sooooooooooo much better than the Brits.

Soz 'Kippers. But not that soz.

davidof

MattFalle said:

She's utterly wonderful.

which one?

darrell1967

Different crank lengths.