Pedal stroke anomaly

Triathlon Forum
1

I’ve recently noticed that there’s quite a bit of lateral movement of my knee/femur at the top of my pedal stroke. At the top of each stroke, my knee “wobbles” medially, then laterally. It’s worse with the left compared with the right.

I think I’ve only noticed this now because I’m doing alot more trainer riding than I’m used to. I’m also starting to experience some knee pain for the first time as well, and I’m wondering if this is related.

Thanks!

Is this the type of thing that those LeMond wedges is supposed to cure? Any other suggestions?

2

"Is this the type of thing that those LeMond wedges is supposed to cure? "

I just made a post about this. Good explanation on their site:

http://www.lemondfitness.com/products/lewedge/

3

FWIW

I’ve had an identical problem for the past couple years and only a couple months ago did it start to go away. I had my bike fit analyzed last year and we (my fitter and I) came to the conclusion that wedges wouldn’t really help.

What caused it/How did I fix it? I can’t really give a straight answer other than I think it had something to do with a leg strength imbalance, a lack of flexibility, and a lack of saddle time. All winter, I focused on the dead spot on TDC of my left leg and made sure my left leg was “pulling it’s weight”. And I stretch daily again. It’s pretty much gone now except at high rpm/power efforts.

Your results may vary. Strongly suggest you get it looked at if you have the time and resources.

4

I am doing 1-leg drills on the trainer, and it’s helping a lot. As I minimize the dead spot at about 7o’clock, the wobble gets smaller…

I’m also looking at the wedges, but haven’t tried them yet.

5

“LeMond wedges”

exactly. a couple of wedges, fat part on the inside (cant the medial side). lateral movement gone.

6

I just worked on this very problem with my dad this weekend. Get a video camera and tape yourself in front of each knee, then watch it on the TV and put a straight edge along the path of your knee to see if it wobbles and which way. That will help in the diagnosis of the problem. You should also tape yourself from the side and measure your knee angles to make sure your saddle is the correct height.

jaretj

7

I had the exact same problem and John Cobb put some shims or wedges between my cleat and shoe and voila!, it was gone.

8

If you have access to physio, you might want to get them to have a look. Am thinking injury prevention :slight_smile: since it sounds like you might be headed that way.

9

Thanks all…I love it when the solution to the problem is something that I can buy for $25, rather than working harder!! ;^)

10

The knee popping out at the top of the pedal stroke can also be caused by a tight IT band. Try some stretches to go along with the wedges.