Road Cycling - Do your knees ever crack???

So at 16 I got my road bike and did some heavy duty riding. Probably close to 3000 miles that summer/fall and over the next few years a decent amount but not quite as much. My knees never cracked.

Then maybe at the age of 18 i noticed occasionally my left knee would crack when standing on the bike (or standing up normally after sitting in a chair)...i figured it was just cause i was still growing. Over the past year (i'm 22 now) i've REALLY got back into putting in some good miles, and notice that during almost EVERY pedal revolution while standing on the bike, my left knee cracks....and being that i more often than not do out of the saddle climbing, the cracking is non-stop. I don't really feel this hinders me at all, i feel i'm on the best form of my life. i was just curious as to whether anyone else has this sensation, and if its just a natural occurance?

my frame is probably a "tad" small, but i'm using the right length cranks, and seat tube length so i don't think that has anything to do with it. (cause it still cracks when i stand up from squatting on the ground or something) ...one of my good friends who i ride with (also 22) says his cracks occasionally too, but maybe not as often as what i describe...

My knee always cracks at weird moments, sometimes akward moments :p Its no big deal, it doesnt seem to affect me. I know how it is though, but I can't explain it either.

Ive heard a few theories about knee cracking. One is that it is gas bubbles escaping. Another is that there is a track worn into the cartiallage, and sometimes the kneecap isnt tracking in that rail. When it does align itself, it goes crack.
My knees can be very loud sometimes.

I leant a Tai Chi kneecap excecise. Stand relaxed with bent knees. Bend down gently and just grab a kneecap with yor fingers and rotate it in small circles, in both dircetion. It can get quite mobile after a time.

You want loud knees? Yikes. You should hear my wife when she stands up. They sound like muskets being fired.:)

Wait until you hit 50+! If the bend, your happy.

oldroadie you stole my line hehe. Just wait until you are 39 and the rest of the cracks and pops will drown out the sounds your knees make...

Originally posted by Coppi51
notice that during almost EVERY pedal revolution while standing on the bike, my left knee cracks....and being that i more often than not do out of the saddle climbing, the cracking is non-stop. I don't really feel this hinders me at all, i feel i'm on the best form of my life.

I had knee surgery this year, and have learned much regarding the physiology of the knee over the past 5 months. First of all, the knee is a very complicated joint, and your clicking could well be caused by any number of issues. However, your symptoms seem to indicate some sort of a cartilage issue – but this in itself is not necessarily a bad thing. If you have no pain or locking in the symptomatic knee, then there really is no problem now.

Having stated that, I’m not a doctor – so take my remarks in that light! :D