Knee problems and speedplay pedals

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by bobobg
Hi, I have a problem with Chondromalacia {wearing of the kneecap} in my right knee. Speedplay pedals seem to help people with knee problems, has anyone with this particular problem been helped by using these pedals? Thanks

Speedplay and Time pedals are both great for those with knee issues because of the amount of float they allow, the easy motion of the float and the easy release. That's about all I know, as I don't really have any knee problems myself...

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by PSR
Speedplay and Time pedals are both great for those with knee issues because of the amount of float they allow, the easy motion of the float and the easy release. That's about all I know, as I don't really have any knee problems myself...

I think PSR is right on here. To those comments I'll add that saddle positon is key. Have a reputable bike shop/fitter check you out on your ride to ensure you're not making matters worse for your knees with improper adjustment.

It's worth the price if they ask you to pay for the service.

A properly fitted bike and good riding practice are good for knees.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by rollers
I think PSR is right on here. To those comments I'll add that saddle positon is key. Have a reputable bike shop/fitter check you out on your ride to ensure you're not making matters worse for your knees with improper adjustment.

It's worth the price if they ask you to pay for the service.

A properly fitted bike and good riding practice are good for knees.

Thank Guys, I have had a fit kit backin the 70's and have recently had a fitting, so my seat position is OK. I ride with older style time pedals now, got them when they first came out because of the float and that has helped. Speedplays have more so I wanted to see if anyone has been helped by them.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by bobobg
....Speedplays have more so I wanted to see if anyone has been helped by them.

Hmm, sorry but I can't help you there. I can't say I've been helped by my Speedplays because I don't have any problems. Maybe that's because I have always used pedals with float?

Certainly I can state that they are not BAD for my knees. 🙂

In all seriousness, if you like the Times for the float you'll love the Speedplays.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by bobobg
Thank Guys, I have had a fit kit backin the 70's and have recently had a fitting, so my seat position is OK. I ride with older style time pedals now, got them when they first came out because of the float and that has helped. Speedplays have more so I wanted to see if anyone has been helped by them.

I wasn't riding much (I was living in cycling unfriendly Las Vegas) when I suffered a knee twist (coincidently about 5 miles north of you) resulting in Chondromalacia so I can only speculate based on what worked for me on foot.

I had to quit distance running because the impacts were too hard on the knee, so a softer floating pedal might help. Since shorter range of motion will irritate the knee less, you might consider shorter crank arms, especially if your problem point is near the fully bent or fully extended position rather than the midrange of motion.

Are you at the initial fissuring or the wear- through relapse stage?

I don't know if they would help or hurt, but maybe the new rotator cranks ought be investigated since they change the arc the pedals travel. The Biopace chainrings are supposed to help the knees since they smooth out the torque. I'd be hesitant to try both simultaneously since they might work against each other. Avoid the oval chainrings that have orientations perpendicular to Biopace- they are bad for knees!

I had a similar problem caused by running, I have speedplays on my bike and it does seem to help (allows my leg/knee to find is natural position). However I have supplimented with Leg Lifts and Weights to build up the muscles around the knee/quads, also added a regular 3 days a week stretch regime. All in all excellent results.

Good Luck !

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Snarl
I had a similar problem caused by running, I have speedplays on my bike and it does seem to help (allows my leg/knee to find is natural position). However I have supplimented with Leg Lifts and Weights to build up the muscles around the knee/quads, also added a regular 3 days a week stretch regime. All in all excellent results.

Good Luck !

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think i will try a strengthening and stretching program this winter. Maybe get some speedplays and we will see what happens next season.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by bobobg
Hi, I have a problem with Chondromalacia {wearing of the kneecap} in my right knee. Speedplay pedals seem to help people with knee problems, has anyone with this particular problem been helped by using these pedals? Thanks

I bought speedplay pedals because of chondromalacia and knee pain. I had them on a recumbent but my knees still hurt. I put them on a regular upright bike and my knees are better. Go figure!

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Bill Wellborn
I bought speedplay pedals because of chondromalacia and knee pain. I had them on a recumbent but my knees still hurt. I put them on a regular upright bike and my knees are better. Go figure!

*ANY* pedals on an improperly fitted bike - regardless of type - can give you knee pain and lead to injury.

I've had knee problems with surgery in one knee. After going through various pedals, I found that Speedplays aggravated my knee pain. The pain didn't seem to come from pedaling action, but from the release. The large degree of float translates into a large release angle which caused me more pain. I've gone back to Time pedals and filed down the cleat to keep my release angles tolerable.

Over the years, I've also found that having my saddle too far back (as was recommended by various fitters) gave me more knee pain. Another source of knee pain for me was the saddle being too low.

As for crank length, I recently purchased a crank from Graeme Murray in South Africa that allows one to vary the crank from 150 to 185 mm. Theory puts me, depending on the formula, anywhere from 172.5 mm to 185 mm.

When too short, I got knee pain (it was like having the saddle too low). I seem to like 175 to 180 best. At 185, I had no extra knee pain, but felt more ankle discomfort after 30 mile rides. For me, an unexpected finding was that the longer crank settings made it much easier, and more stable, to pedal when out of the saddle.

Regards, Robert