Timmy Evens
I've seen a few posts about knee pain and pedal float. In my experience float is something that needs to be evaluated from rider to rider. if you have proper alignment and proper muscle firing patterns your knee tracking can be straight enough to warrant zero float. i would NOT advise random obra-ites to just try it and expect some quick fix. the more refined a rider the more able they may be to tolerate a fixed position. the "cleaner" a riders motor control is the less room for error needs to be accounted for in cleat float. i hope this makes some sense.
I throw around the term "motor control" regularly. i simply mean your form with regards to pedal technique. there is a "dance" going on with all the lower extremity muscle to generate force from your pelvis to the crank. so people look jerky some look smooth. some can generate high cadence, others mash. there is a whole science to what is occuring there.....
tim
--- On Thu, 2/25/10, Jennifer Slawta wrote:
From: Jennifer Slawta
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] knee pain
To: "Edward Groth" , "Kevin"
Cc: obra@list.obra.org
Date: Thursday, February 25, 2010, 3:44 PM
Hi Ed and all,
Sorry to keep chiming in on this, but I actually worked with a PT who felt strongly that less float is best for lateral knee pain. I struggle with that - I tightened up my zero pedals somewhat, but too much drives me nuts. Jenny
>>> Edward Groth 2/25/2010 12:31 PM >>>
Hey Kevin,
I'm no doctor or fit specialist, but I'm inclined to think she's
stressing something from overuse.
When she started training this year, what was her average mileage each
week and what were the longer rides she's been on? I wonder if she's
just trying to ramp up too fast.
If it were me I would write down the current set up of the bike fit
(saddle height and forward/back location, seat location, handlebars)
and then try moving things around a little at a time to see if the
pain goes away or gets worse. Then you know the bike setup that's
right for you rather than the one you're "supposed" to use. Not that
there's anything wrong with getting a bike fitting.
This may be a crazy suggestion, but I've found on longer rides flat
pedals or clips and straps work better for me than cleats since you're
able to move your feet around to avoid hot spots and vary your
posture.
Ed
On Thu, Feb 25, 2010 at 12:19 PM, Kevin wrote:
> Hello OBRA-ites,
>
> A friend is a social rider with hopes of doing a 1 day STP this year.
> She's ramping the miles up in anticipation of the big event. She's not a
> hard core rider but has done full centuries. She's been experiencing what
> she describes as a burning feeling on the outside of her left knee on longer
> rides.
>
> Cleat alignment? Saddle adjustment? Just ride more and strengthen
> muscles? Get in for a professional bike fitting? Sell the bike and go back
> to knitting sweaters for holiday gifts?
>
> All of the above????
>
>
> Kevin
>
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> What is happening in Kevin's corner of the bike world?
> http://the-whir-of-spokes-in-air.blogspot.com
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
>
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