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Crank arm length and calf pain
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Is it possible that if my crank arms were too long it could contribute to my pedal stroke becoming very calf centric as my quads/ hamstring/ glutes are unable to contribute fire? I have been working on bike position and we have moved the seat around and i still have a lot of tension building in my calves from the bike.. I’m wondering if perhaps I’m too calf centric and that could be an issue?
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Re: Crank arm length and calf pain [KENNBR] [ In reply to ]
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KENNBR wrote:
Is it possible that if my crank arms were too long it could contribute to my pedal stroke becoming very calf centric as my quads/ hamstring/ glutes are unable to contribute fire? I have been working on bike position and we have moved the seat around and i still have a lot of tension building in my calves from the bike.. I’m wondering if perhaps I’m too calf centric and that could be an issue?
I think you're starting in the weeds. I'd look at cleat position, saddle height, toe pointing, etc. as culprits first.

Trent Nix
Owned and operated Tri Shop
F.I.S.T. Advanced Certified Fitter | Retul Master Certified Fitter (back when those were things)
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Re: Crank arm length and calf pain [trentnix] [ In reply to ]
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trentnix wrote:
KENNBR wrote:
Is it possible that if my crank arms were too long it could contribute to my pedal stroke becoming very calf centric as my quads/ hamstring/ glutes are unable to contribute fire? I have been working on bike position and we have moved the seat around and i still have a lot of tension building in my calves from the bike.. I’m wondering if perhaps I’m too calf centric and that could be an issue?
I think you're starting in the weeds. I'd look at cleat position, saddle height, toe pointing, etc. as culprits first.

Bingo.

I bought new shoes and accidentally installed the cleats while measuring my fore aft position backwards. After calf issues in a ride I found out what I had done.
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Re: Crank arm length and calf pain [KENNBR] [ In reply to ]
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KENNBR wrote:
Is it possible that if my crank arms were too long it could contribute to my pedal stroke becoming very calf centric as my quads/ hamstring/ glutes are unable to contribute fire? I have been working on bike position and we have moved the seat around and i still have a lot of tension building in my calves from the bike.. I’m wondering if perhaps I’m too calf centric and that could be an issue?

If your calf muscles are giving you trouble try moving the cleats rearward on your shoes - you want your foot further forward over the pedal. That will take some load off your calves during the pedal stroke.
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Re: Crank arm length and calf pain [Bdaghisallo] [ In reply to ]
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Yikes... I have my cleats all the way back.. physical therapist says it def is coming from the toe being pointed but I cant seem to get through my pedal stroke with out pointing. I went from riding 3 hours no problem to not lasting 30 minutes just spinning on the trainer.
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Re: Crank arm length and calf pain [KENNBR] [ In reply to ]
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KENNBR wrote:
Yikes... I have my cleats all the way back.. physical therapist says it def is coming from the toe being pointed but I cant seem to get through my pedal stroke with out pointing. I went from riding 3 hours no problem to not lasting 30 minutes just spinning on the trainer.

Try lowering your saddle. It may be your natural style but pointing toes could be a sign that your saddle is too high.

And concentrate when you pedal on trying to push down with your heels.
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Re: Crank arm length and calf pain [KENNBR] [ In reply to ]
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Can you post some pics or video? 30 minutes into a easy training spin with symptoms has to be something fairly obvious or perhaps not related to the bike.
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