Originally posted by mfbarnes
I'm a new comer to cycling after over 20 years of running. I started riding in an attempt to save my knees. Since buying my bike in June, I've been riding approximately 100 miles per week and have noticed pain in my right knee under the kneecap and along the right, outside portion of the knee. With ice it is very managable. I've never really had the bike fitted and am wondering if the pain may be due to some type of misallignment of my seat and peddles. I do tend to be a masher with a tendency to push big gears rather than spin. I would assume that this is a problem and I'm trying to fix that one. Any feedback would be appreciated!
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According to the sports med articles I've read online, your problem (and mine, until recently, knock on wood) is caused by one or more of several factors:
Improper bike fit, esp. seat height
letting the knees move a lot while cycling (keep toes in a bit and knees closer together)
Using big gears too much
Too much uphill work esp. when not ready for it yet. I have to walk my bike up hills and only do hills in little segments, and in low gears.
Good luck! What finally worked for me was keeping the knees close together and toes in a bit. And, not using your knees for energy but putting all your enegy on the ball of the feet and toes.
Years ago I got into cycling for the same reason you did...I had been a runner, and my knees were getting messed up. My dr recommended a switch to cycling, and my knees never bothered me until a few months ago, after my return to cycline (after 22 yr absence.)
I realized another thing: years ago I cycled in a major city with all flat streets. Now, in the burbs, I have hills to contend with and that also added to my problem now.
