Set-up Question

RonHeal said:

I have been dialing in the set-up of a new bike, and finally got the seat height / position and bars so that I am comfortable. Now I noticed that I am getting some pain on the back side of my right knee. I can feel the same pain in my left, but it is much more pronounced in my right. I also notice the pain is greater after a climbing ride. Could this be a set-up issue with the bike? A cleat adjustment? Other?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

If I had to guess ths first thing I would try is the cleat adjutment. Also consider Lemond Wedges to help dial out varus or valgus. But try one thing at a time and start with the cleats.

RonHeal said:

I have been dialing in the set-up of a new bike, and finally got the seat height / position and bars so that I am comfortable. Now I noticed that I am getting some pain on the back side of my right knee. I can feel the same pain in my left, but it is much more pronounced in my right. I also notice the pain is greater after a climbing ride. Could this be a set-up issue with the bike? A cleat adjustment? Other?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Pain at the back of the knee, particularly when you are using your leg at the bottom or up part of the pedal stroke, is from a seat too high. Try lowering your seat by a few mm. Also if one leg is worse than the other you may have a leg length discrepancy. Dial the seat in for the leg with the most problem. If that then is good for both legs your done. If you can't settle on a position that works for both legs you may need to shim one of your cleats, but just try lowering your seat slightly first.

RonHeal said:

I have been dialing in the set-up of a new bike, and finally got the seat height / position and bars so that I am comfortable. Now I noticed that I am getting some pain on the back side of my right knee. I can feel the same pain in my left, but it is much more pronounced in my right. I also notice the pain is greater after a climbing ride. Could this be a set-up issue with the bike? A cleat adjustment? Other?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Could be both cleat and seat height -- as well as some other adjustments (even a stem that is too long can stretch your body enough that you'll have leg pains.

Look for a professional bike fitter in your area -- there are several different fitting systems in use today -- Fit Kit is an established system that is used by many bicycle shops - they can set cleat placements as well as positioning the seat height. They have a web site that has the locations near you.

A newer system -- Wobble-Naught -- also sets cleat and seat height as well as handle bar height, seat fore-aft, and reach. This system measures the bike and the body and uses a CAD system to determine the results. It is less subjective but requires a trained "fitter." Check out www.wobblenaught.com for locations near you.

Contact Barry Lycett if you are still in Victoria, BC. I was recomended him by some "cops for cancer" vets. In the last month since I was fitted my cycling has vastly improved. pm me for his phone #.

Three technical questions: (1) In your normal seated position and with the crank in the vertical position with the left pedal down, with the bottom of your foot horizontal to the ground, what is the angle of your leg at your knee joint? Same question for the right leg with the right pedal down. (2) In your normal seated position and with the crank horizontal with the left crank forward, what is the angle between the front of your knee and the pedal spindle (alternatively, if you drop a plumb line from the front of your knee, where does it fall relative to the pedal spindle -- even with, forward or back and by how much)? Same question for your right leg. (3) How did you go about setting your cleats in position on your shoes? Did you use a dynamic process on a trainer or a static process or what?