I have been fiddling a bit with my saddle height over last few weeks. I think over last few years I was too high and just adapted by becoming a toe pointer. Sof after dropping down a bit I am closer to Empfields’s 155 degree recommendation but after ride Saturday I found my left knee seemed to splay (sp?) outward and I felt pain in the knee.
Kind of a dumb question but do I just need to adapt again or could this mean I have biomechanic issues that will keep my from being lower?
Thanks,
Mike
Knee pain is often a sign that the seat is too low. Keep in mind that any angle from a bike fitter guide is merely a guide, what works best is what is comfortable. Don’t try to adapt to pain, that just makes things worse.
You need to put the seat where it’s comfortable.
Your foot position really isn’t that important, take a look at the Tour de France. You’ve got guy’s riding every possible angle and set-up.
If your knee hurts, change it. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT continue to ride with it hurting. Your season WILL be over before it starts.
John Cobb used to talk about how comfort is key. The more comfortable you are, the more power you produce. Period.
You don’t say how much you moved the saddle down and how quickly. If by your “calculations” you “should” drop your saddle by 1 cm, then I would recommend dropping it 2-3 mm every 2 weeks or so until you reach your 1 cm. That way you don’t shock knees and allow them time to adapt to the new position.
In general, anterior knee pain indicates a too low saddle position and posterior knee pain indicates a too high saddle position. Also, remember that by lowering your saddle, you will also move your KOPS position forward. A KOPS too far fwd can also irritate the knee.
That’s my 2 cents.