Knee Pain After Changing Stem
05-05-14, 02:54 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Knee Pain After Changing Stem
Appreciate any thoughts you guys have. I'm trying to get in to see my LBS fit guy, but he's booked up this week. Want to make some adjustments before hand to get some seat time in.
The long and short is that I went back to my original stem after using a alternative one for two years that was elevated at a significant angle and slightly longer to help with a back issue. I can certainly put it back on, but really started not to like the setup reach wise over the course of time. This of course means that I am riding more hunched over and my arms/head/etc is lower than before.
Anyway, since switching back I'm getting knee discomfort/pain on the front side of the knee almost dead center vertically on both knees. It also feels like something in that area is unstable after the rides when I walk around. Not sure how to describe that last part better, but it is something that is directly tied to this.
These rides are short. I'm talking 5-10 miles here, as I'm just getting everything readjusted. Is that kind of knee pain/discomfort associated with anything more generally (seat too high?).
CAAD-9
The long and short is that I went back to my original stem after using a alternative one for two years that was elevated at a significant angle and slightly longer to help with a back issue. I can certainly put it back on, but really started not to like the setup reach wise over the course of time. This of course means that I am riding more hunched over and my arms/head/etc is lower than before.
Anyway, since switching back I'm getting knee discomfort/pain on the front side of the knee almost dead center vertically on both knees. It also feels like something in that area is unstable after the rides when I walk around. Not sure how to describe that last part better, but it is something that is directly tied to this.
These rides are short. I'm talking 5-10 miles here, as I'm just getting everything readjusted. Is that kind of knee pain/discomfort associated with anything more generally (seat too high?).
CAAD-9
05-05-14, 05:21 PM
#2
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,533
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3889 Post(s)
Liked 1,938 Times
in
1,383 Posts
Pain in front of knee = saddle too low. Usually. Don't hunch. Roll your pelvis forward so your sit bones are in firm contact with the saddle and your back is straight from pelvis to shoulder.
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...discovery.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...discovery.html
05-08-14, 01:59 PM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Right. The back issue will require some form tweaks and additional flexibility, but think that will get there with work.
Knee issues were much better today after some increased seat height. Thanks.
Knee issues were much better today after some increased seat height. Thanks.
05-08-14, 04:05 PM
#4
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,533
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3889 Post(s)
Liked 1,938 Times
in
1,383 Posts
05-09-14, 06:11 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 2,061
Bikes: 2012 Trek DS 8.5 all weather hybrid, 2008 LeMond Poprad cyclocross, 1992 Cannondale R500 roadbike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Appreciate any thoughts you guys have. I'm trying to get in to see my LBS fit guy, but he's booked up this week. Want to make some adjustments before hand to get some seat time in.
The long and short is that I went back to my original stem after using a alternative one for two years that was elevated at a significant angle and slightly longer to help with a back issue. I can certainly put it back on, but really started not to like the setup reach wise over the course of time. This of course means that I am riding more hunched over and my arms/head/etc is lower than before.
Anyway, since switching back I'm getting knee discomfort/pain on the front side of the knee almost dead center vertically on both knees. It also feels like something in that area is unstable after the rides when I walk around. Not sure how to describe that last part better, but it is something that is directly tied to this.
These rides are short. I'm talking 5-10 miles here, as I'm just getting everything readjusted. Is that kind of knee pain/discomfort associated with anything more generally (seat too high?).
CAAD-9
The long and short is that I went back to my original stem after using a alternative one for two years that was elevated at a significant angle and slightly longer to help with a back issue. I can certainly put it back on, but really started not to like the setup reach wise over the course of time. This of course means that I am riding more hunched over and my arms/head/etc is lower than before.
Anyway, since switching back I'm getting knee discomfort/pain on the front side of the knee almost dead center vertically on both knees. It also feels like something in that area is unstable after the rides when I walk around. Not sure how to describe that last part better, but it is something that is directly tied to this.
These rides are short. I'm talking 5-10 miles here, as I'm just getting everything readjusted. Is that kind of knee pain/discomfort associated with anything more generally (seat too high?).
CAAD-9
But, at the same time, I have to wonder if you are treating the symptom rather than the problem? That is, while technique and positioning can certainly make a difference, overall conditioning can have an equal or greater effect...
That is: Our bodies have a marvelous way of compensating for its weaknesses and deficiencies by using stronger parts. But then, when we over tax those stronger parts and they fail, we say 'have a bad ____________'.
There is not enough information to know whether your problem was caused by positioning or by lack of conditioning or both, but perhaps the problem was a warning -- and it is time to start some additional/cross training?
... Often fitters also work with conditioning. When you see him, stay open to hearing about other things that you can do to fix yourself rather than the bike...
05-11-14, 09:43 PM
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Good point George. It is easy to get into a routine that only includes cycling (I mean hey, we all love it), but that only works our body in a certain way. Undoubtedly I need core work, which probably would greatly help. It is something I've been working on via yoga, but perhaps a little additional direct work would be beneficial.
