Shin Pain

gaffmaster

I recently put clipless pedals on my road bike. Been cycling on and off for about 8 months beforehand with no trouble.

A few weeks ago I did a spin which had some hills on it (Howth). Then the day after I played football. I had a very sore right shin for about 2 weeks. I thought it might be shin splints and I put it down to the football I had played.

Then, two days ago I cycled another couple of slight inclines around Dalkey. My shin pain has hinted at coming back.

I'm just wondering if anyone on here has ever suffered shin pain as a result of cycling. Do you think it has anything to do with the hills? Could it be that my cleats are misaligned in my shoes?

Any help or similar stories appreciated.

Zorba

gaffmaster wrote: »

I recently put clipless pedals on my road bike. Been cycling on and off for about 8 months beforehand with no trouble.

A few weeks ago I did a spin which had some hills on it (Howth). Then the day after I played football. I had a very sore right shin for about 2 weeks. I thought it might be shin splints and I put it down to the football I had played.

Then, two days ago I cycled another couple of slight inclines around Dalkey. My shin pain has hinted at coming back.

I'm just wondering if anyone on here has ever suffered shin pain as a result of cycling. Do you think it has anything to do with the hills? Could it be that my cleats are misaligned in my shoes?

Any help or similar stories appreciated.

Think it might be the hills alright, happens to me if i don't go up hills for a while then suddenly start training on them again, mind u they're not that sore more of a hint of shin pain.

Check your saddle height, probably be ok but think if it's a bit too high it could be a factor, better to have it too low than too high.

lukester

Zorba wrote: »

Check your saddle height, probably be ok but think if it's a bit too high it could be a factor, better to have it too low than too high.

Sorry, not wanting to be pedantic, but too low is worse than too high.

Too low and you can cause serious knee damage. Too high and you can injure tendons on the back of the knee, but you'd feel the saddle too high long before that occurred (speaking from experience).

I've never experienced shin pain while cycling, maybe a bit of pain on the outside of the lower leg when I've overdone it.

Mis-aligned cleats can cause problems, your cleats should be set-up to let your foot rest on the pedal in its natural position. Best way to see this is to cycle on the bike with normal pedals and observe the position of your feet.

I'd suspect the football first though, only time I've had shin pain has been from running. Also when cycling on hills, try to spin in a low gear, instead of mashing. Chances are you're in your lowest gear anyway.

Also, with hills, build them up gradually. Too many, too quickly will lead to some kind of injury (again, speaking from experience :pac: )

Harrybelafonte

Shin splints from the football???

lukester

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Shin splints from the football???

I was more thinking picking up a knock, or possibly coming down awkwardly on one foot.

Zorba

lukester wrote: »

Sorry, not wanting to be pedantic, but too low is worse than too high.

Too low and you can cause serious knee damage. Too high and you can injure tendons on the back of the knee, but you'd feel the saddle too high long before that occurred (speaking from experience).

Hmm learn something new everyday, i was always told too low is better than too high.