Legs while cycling

Bb4sure

I currently have my saddle at a height were my legs wouldn't be straight after completing a revolution on the pedals this is hurting my muscle above my knee's. Since ive just started cycling I don't know wheither this is normal or I should have the saddle higher so my leg straightens out??

beans

My saddle-height is adjusted so that there's a slight bend in my knee when the pedal is at the bottom of it's stroke.

This site is a great resource for all things bike-related If you scroll to half-way down that page, there's info on saddle-height recommendations

Lumen

Bb4sure wrote: »

I currently have my saddle at a height were my legs wouldn't be straight after completing a revolution on the pedals this is hurting my muscle above my knee's. Since ive just started cycling I don't know wheither this is normal or I should have the saddle higher so my leg straightens out??

Straight leg is bad. You want at least 10 degrees of bend.

Simplest approach is to adjust your saddle height so that you can pedal using your heels (in your cycling shoes) without rocking your hips. Then when you move your feet back to the normal position (ball of foot over pedal axle is common) you'll have the right knee bend.

I have my saddle a little higher than this. I predict that as soon as my back is sorted my knees will fail.

petethedrummer

When I started long distance cycling, the urge was always to put my saddle higher and higher. I noticed a mate of mine is like this also (He started later). As soon as my legs got reaonably strong I lost the urge to want to straighten them out.

alfalad

Bb4sure wrote: »

I currently have my saddle at a height were my legs wouldn't be straight after completing a revolution on the pedals this is hurting my muscle above my knee's. Since ive just started cycling I don't know wheither this is normal or I should have the saddle higher so my leg straightens out??

That could also be caused by pushing too high a gear, happened to me when I started i was spining slowly but in a high gear!

Lumen

The simplest way to make sure you're cycling approximately right (cadence, position on the bike etc) is to join a group with more experienced cyclists - a club, boards spin etc.

Bb4sure

I adjusted it there now to the right height I think taking all advice on board, noticed the front wheel is off center aswell so fix that later on.:eek:

Cheers buds

Lumen

Bb4sure wrote: »

I adjusted it there now to the right height I think taking all advice on board, noticed the front wheel is off center aswell so fix that later on.:eek:

How much did you change it by, and in which direction?

There are various rules of thumb, but I would be wary of changing saddle height more than a centimeter a week (preferably half that), and cut down your cycling intensity and distance as you adjust.

ray o

Lumen wrote: »

How much did you change it by, and in which direction?

There are various rules of thumb, but I would be wary of changing saddle height more than a centimeter a week (preferably half that), and cut down your cycling intensity and distance as you adjust.

Have to agree with that, I highered my saddle by over an inch a couple of weeks ago and am still feeling the effects on my lower back. I dropped it again but wish I had seen that advice before the change.

BostonB

Lumen wrote: »

Straight leg is bad. You want at least 10 degrees of bend.

Simplest approach is to adjust your saddle height so that you can pedal using your heels (in your cycling shoes) without rocking your hips. Then when you move your feet back to the normal position (ball of foot over pedal axle is common) you'll have the right knee bend.

I have my saddle a little higher than this. I predict that as soon as my back is sorted my knees will fail.

If I have my saddle the right height, my knees give me grief, so i have to have it higher than I should.

Lumen

BostonB wrote: »

If I have my saddle the right height, my knees give me grief, so i have to have it higher than I should.

That's a bit arseways.

The right height is the one that doesn't hurt.

Rules of thumb don't apply to knees. Or something.