File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
Hey /fit/, I got a cycling question for you guys. I've been commuting by bike since July to work, about 12 mi a day 5 days a week. At the end of the summer I switched from work to school and now ride 20 mi a day ~6 days a week (work near school on weekends). The few months of riding 12 miles did great to get my legs and ass in shape for riding, but for the past few weeks now my knees have been killing me. My dad does a lot of riding of his own so he helped me set up my bike and I think its tuned right for me (legs just shy of full extension down on the pedal, seat adjusted so that the handle bars block the hub of my front wheel). I usually take my time getting out there (avg maybe 15 mph) and don't mash my gears too much going up hill.

I know that a lot of bike commuters ride between 10 and 20 miles a day so I don't think I'm riding TOO far, but still my knees are sore. Could it just be too much riding? Or maybe my knees just aren't cut out for pedaling? Also, I've cut leg exercises out of my workouts to try and keep my legs more fresh for the next morning, but I'm starting to realize cycling only works certain parts of you legs, could that be contributing to my knee aches?

Pic kinda related, its what I have to look forward to in two months...
>> Anonymous
Anyone have advice for me and my knees?
>> Anonymous
check to make sure you're using the right gears, and try and go downhill a lot.
>> Anonymous
tl;dr thats what ive got for you
>> Anonymous
Take a break from it for a bit, see if it helps. It won't hurt to drive or take public transit for a week.

If it doesn't, seek help, I guess.
>> Anonymous
>>379047

Yeah, I was in a habit of mashing my gears a bit before, but I've started using more of them now. As for the hills, gotta go up them first to go down.

I'll probably go try and get some help soon on fitting my bike to me, I'm pretty sure riding isn't supposed to be hurting my knees. Funny thing is, its my left knee more than my right and I can't figure out what's different on that side that would do it.
>> Anonymous
If your seat is too high, the back of your knees will hurt, if too low, the front of your knees will hurt.
Also, are you riding at a proper cadence? It sounds like you aren't properly utilizing your pedal stroke. Are you wearing riding shoes, with clipless'?
>> Anonymous
>>379060

There might also be something else that's fucking with your knee that you're not thinking of. Try examining your whole day and see what could be hurting your knee. Biking might just be highlighting the problem.
>> Anonymous
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/pain.html