LexRides

mcrib · townie Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 232 Location: 40502

I've been having considerable pain in my left knee. I don't know that I can attribute this to the bike at all but took about three days off from riding and it feels considerably better. I don't know if this is a common phenomenon for those riding a fixed gear but I think I've heard brokebike mention a similar thing happening to him. Any thoughts?
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Albert Einstein trembled when he found out time was water. Seeping through the rafters to put out this burning world.

brokebike · cutter Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 2434 Location: local

It's probably either a minor saddle adjustment issue, or related to not properly stretching before and after a ride. Try to judge where the pain is coming from in relation to your knee joint. Is it forward of the knee, or behind it? There are plenty of articles out there online to help you determine if it is your saddle position (usually fore/aft adjustment) that may be causing the pain. Brad is also a good person to talk to because he's good at fitting folks and eyeing up your position on the bike to see if you're in the right ballpark of positioning.

Once I was sure I had my bikes all set up correctly and still had some pain, I tried a few stretches that worked on my ITB, which is a band of tissue that is on the outside edge of your knee... I found that no matter how short or how long my rides were, stretching a bit before and after helped keep the pain away.

Either way, I seriously doubt riding fixed as opposed to freewheel has anything to do with it... but I do know that riding brakeless aggrivated my knees quite a bit with all the backwards resistance.

alex · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 11:57 am Post subject:

are you sure the pain isn't radiating from your pussy?

brokebike · cutter Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 2434 Location: local

I didn't consider that possibility.

If that's the case, then see Alex. He's an expert.

seicer · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 1:33 pm Post subject:

Thanks... I've been wondering why my left knee was hurting for a day...
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Sherman Cahal | Cincy Rides

mcrib · townie Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 232 Location: 40502

perhaps I can corner mr. flowers (sounds like a clue character) at polo tomorrow night. I will also try a liberal application of vagasil before the next ride.

I think it is a stretching issue because it hurts on the top of the knee on the downstroke. A physical therapist suggest doing exercises to strengthen the hips which I found interesting or I could take the Mickey Combs advice "if something makes it hurt keep doing it and it will go away"
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Albert Einstein trembled when he found out time was water. Seeping through the rafters to put out this burning world.

sailorjames · cutter Joined: 15 Nov 2007 Posts: 329

knees definitely go through more abuse on a fixie than a freewheel, especially if you were to have a bad fit on the bike in the first place.

Try reading this:
http://www.cptips.com/knee.htm

politicalhero · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 5:39 am Post subject:

removed by user

elzie5000 · cutter Joined: 25 Oct 2007 Posts: 1177

Man up and get a coaster brake. That'll solve all your problems, knee and otherwise.

brokebike · cutter Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 2434 Location: local

I understand what sailorjames is saying in regards to riding fixed, but to add to that, you're more likely to abuse your knees if you're not properly set up, fit-wise on the bike and/or if you're pushing a bigger gear than what you would normally need in everyday situations.

Spinning is generally regarded as good for your cycling / health on a variety of levels, so it's important to get some of the basic variables out of the way first to avoid the kind of spinning that can cause discomfort or damage.

charlenemingus · hipster Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 50

Since I actually have a pussy why don't I have knee pain? I'm not trying to bash you all or get into a debate but I just wanted to put it out there that some comments on this post offended me and made me feel unwelcome on this forum.

mcrib · townie Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 232 Location: 40502

I am carrying a big gear that could be the problem. But I've been riding the bike as is for two years and just recently started to feel pain.

stretching is the key I believe.
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Albert Einstein trembled when he found out time was water. Seeping through the rafters to put out this burning world.

sailorjames · cutter Joined: 15 Nov 2007 Posts: 329

You can also introduce certain foods/supplements into your diet that actually provide your body with the ingredients needed to produce more lubrication throughout your joints. I've come across the info for that before, I'll see if I can't rediscover it somewhere and post it later.

Through quick google searches I was able to find glucosamine as an aid for joint lubrication, but I know certain foods do the same thing, and if I can figure out which ones it would probably be better/easier/cheaper than getting supplements. I also know they make a drink now for joint lubrication, but it's marketed more for old people and I don't think it fits in a water bottle cage. Wink