FixedDriveJess

Hey guys, I just did my first century on my Pista (or any other bike) and I'm noticing a lot of knee pain when I ride. I did it yesterday and just biking into town gives me sharp pains. Any other long trip riders have any tips and tricks for knee pain?

Please don't say anything obvious that will make me look like an idiot, like don't ride, rest, ice it, etc.

FixedDriveJess

That last bit was aimed at you Nagrom and Scrod.

hairnet

Can you describe where about the knee you hurt the most?

Training.Wheels

did you do KOPS? and if you did, where is the knee pain coming from? front or back? If it's the front, then either your saddle is too far forward or you need to get some brakes. Excessive skidding can take your knees out.

Nagrom_

But that just means you're asking for it.

It sounds like you're no hand track stands are being done improperly and causing adverse effects to your knee ligaments. Using my expertise, I would advise you to switch your dominant foot, and try supping sqrls that way instead. Have you tried pegs?

In all seriousness, read this:
https://www.fix-knee-pain.com/cycling-knee-pain/

FixedDriveJess

What's KOPS?

the knee pain is just in my knee, not really sure where. I don't skid much, only when it's a really close call which almost never happens. My saddle is definitely far forward, I didn't know that could be a problem.

Nagrom_

Where is your knee pain?

Nagrom_

Also, what gear are you pushing?

Scrodzilla

Dude, you just rode a century (on a brakeless Pista with an Aerospoke and track drops, no less) and your body most likely wasn't prepared for that kind of mileage. Taking a day or two off the bike to allow the only body you'll ever have is probably the smartest thing you can do.

FixedDriveJess

I'm pushing 46:17. I climbed about 5.8k feet. And from the chart I'd say its in the 19, 13, 14, 20 region

LesterOfPuppets

Try dropping your saddle a little bit.

Nagrom_

That's a pretty high gear for that amount of climbing. You probably just pushed it too hard. Take a brake(ba dum tsss) for a couple days.

Training.Wheels

^I personally wouldn't recommend that. Dropping your saddle is usually reserved for back knee pain. In his case, you either raise the saddle or bring it back if bike fit is the issue. Like Scrod said though, it's probably cuz he road a century underprepared and needs rest.

BigglyPuff

How can we not say that? You're asking a question that doesn't have any other answer.

It's like saying I ran a marathon, and go for a run the next day, and say "Gee, my legs are kind of aching. What's wrong?"

What the hell are we talking about here?

FixedDriveJess

Part of me was asking as a joke. The other part was incase there's some cycling secret. I'll give it a rest. Also, I'll try raising the seat and giving it a push back.

Training.Wheels

Your saddle shouldn't be so low that you dont have to tip toe at a stop while on the saddle, and it shouldn't be so high that your hips rock side to side while pedaling. If you have access to a trainer, you should make a video of you pedaling slowly on it for about a minute so we can get a better perspective.

Spoonrobot 

https://www.cptips.com/knee.htm

Pay special attention to the Anterior and Lateral sections.

Sounds more like an overuse injury. When you ride for 5-7 hours with your legs constantly moving all those muscles go through fatigue cycles and since the knee is a joint stabilized by muscles when you get fatigued the moving surface relationships start to degrade and you get irritation from Chondromalacia.

Generally, long distance riders prefer saddle and cleat setback to the max. For fixed riding this can compromise spinning ability but it does generally improve the comfort level during lengthy rides. Long-distance fixed-specialist and former contributor to this forum, Paul Rozelle, appears to ride a fixed gear with no knee pain. So it's definitely doable, the combination of fitness, fit and physiology are the main factors you need to think about.

https://www.thebicyclestory.com/2011/...ventoux-rides/

Note the setback of the saddle.

ETA: LOL. Now I remember you. Apparently the point of riding fixed it to destroy your knees. Riding with a brake would definitely help your condition.

Mumonkan

dont change anything on your bike.



eat protein and chill out for a day or 2

my first "big" ride on a fixed gear was 45 miles and my knees were killing me the next couple days, i didnt change anything on my bikes fit since then and all i did was rest to make it go away

fixed gear bikes really arent "meant" for long distances or time riding, but short races

hairnet

ftfy

LesterOfPuppets

[QUOTE=Training.Wheels;14961750]

^I personally wouldn't recommend that. Dropping your saddle is usually reserved for back knee pain. In his case, you either raise the saddle or bring it back if bike fit is the issue. Like Scrod said though, it's probably cuz he road a century underprepared and needs rest.

[/QUOTE]

Oops, misread chart. Thought his numbers were on back of knee. Yep, rest and healthy foods, bro.

Bat56

Can you ride another century today or tomorrow? That will help diagnose the problem. It might be bone cancer.

xavier853

Maybe try a set back post if you don't have one

FixedDriveJess

What does setback do?

Nagrom_

It puts your saddle further behind the bottom bracket.

FixedDriveJess

I meant how does it affect your cycling?