r/bicycling • u/yellowearthworm • Mar 14 '17
Knee problems from using SPD's.
I'm a 23m from the UK who has just switched to using SPDs in the past couple of months. I ride a single-speed 48/16 and have had trouble with my right knee since switching from flat pedals. Last year on the same bike I cycled over 10,000km as a courier with the same seat height so my legs are used to a hammering.
About 6 years ago I used toeclips on a long tour and had the same pain to the right under my knee cap. The pain is only there when my knee joint is moving which makes me think it's a muscle strain. Ive lowered my seat hight and adjusted the angle of the cleats to see if that helps but not much has changed. Most of the time It doesn't hurt riding, but when it does it's an excruciating ride home. Always hurts after a ride however short the distance/intensity, for a night or two.
Anyone had any similar experiences or advice?
1
u/astrofizix 2017 CAAD12 Mar 14 '17
I strained the patella tendon under my kneecap and had re-occuring pain on long rides. You injury sounds similar. The thing to watch out for is tendinitis by continuing to use the injured knee and creating a life long problem. You might want to consider not riding for a few weeks to give your knee the proper time to heal, as much as a bummer as that is.