Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Clipless and knee damage

On the topic of making hills easier to climb...

Can I get feedback on clipless from those with problem knees? I've had an ACL replacement in one knee and have some of the lingering accompanying damage that goes along with it. I'm using platforms at the moment.

I know people that have had "unhappy triad" damage to their knee (ACL, LCL and MCL) that use clipless and swear by them. I have a damage patella in my left knee and clipless helped me over stock. To each their own though.

My father has had work done on both his knees, and uses clipless pedals. What helped the most was when Look came out with the red cleats, and other manufacturers have all followed suit designing pedals with a certain degree of "float", instead of locking your foot to a single position like the old clipless systems did.

I have two bad knees, and one is worse than the other. I use clipless and have had less problems with knee pain and bike riding since I switched.

I am missing some cartilage in my left knee because I have problems with my patella trackby ing correctly when I play basketball. It turns out cycling with clipless pedals helps by coordinating the muscles in my leg to pull on my knee in a biomechanically correct way.

The thing is, you have to have your pedals, shoes and overall bike fit set up right. I prefer the speedplay road pedals because they have a lot of float.

On the topic of making hills easier to climb...

Can I get feedback on clipless from those with problem knees? I've had an ACL replacement in one knee and have some of the lingering accompanying damage that goes along with it. I'm using platforms at the moment.

Arthroscopic surgery, torn ACL, chunk out of medial meniscus. Other knee is 'trick' from repeatedly hurt tendons.

I use clipless on all my bikes. I ride 4+ hours at a stretch, with up to 5,000 feet of climbing. Not bragging, just letting you know how hard I work and still have good knees. They help my climbing a lot.

Go for a pedal with more float, such as as a Crank Brothers or Speedplay. That will help make it easier on your knees.

Hope this helps.

This is fantastic information everyone. Thanks!

Agreed wholeheartedly on Crank Brothers. I use the Eggbeater C model and mountain bike shoes (better walkability if you have to walk....), and my spin has gotten SO much more efficient. The 7 degrees of float are nice for the knees, too. ;)

On the topic of making hills easier to climb...

Can I get feedback on clipless from those with problem knees? I've had an ACL replacement in one knee and have some of the lingering accompanying damage that goes along with it. I'm using platforms at the moment.

Use pedals with a good amount of float. I use Times and never have knee problems anymore. I too have had surgery on both and clipless helps me keep proper pedaling form. Also, Speedplay pedals have the most float but you have to get used to a sensation like standing on a ball bearing

i use shimano with float and I actually find it much easier to bike with them. I love the full 360 degrees of pedal power you get from the clipless pedals. I have an easier time going up hills by actually "pulling up" on the up stroke and get most of my uphill power that way.

i have bad knees too, and am considering clipless pedals. are there clipless pedals with a platform so you can be free to lock in or not lock in?

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442618178&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693563&bmUID=1149090206858

http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/Products/Cycling/5007899s_v1_m56577569830662625.jpg

Agreed wholeheartedly on Crank Brothers. I use the Eggbeater C model and mountain bike shoes (better walkability if you have to walk....), and my spin has gotten SO much more efficient. The 7 degrees of float are nice for the knees, too. ;)

I must have been working when you made the transition to clipless! It's about time Tom. :thumb:

i have bad knees too, and am considering clipless pedals. are there clipless pedals with a platform so you can be free to lock in or not lock in?

My standard response seems to be that I use these (Shimano M324's (http://www.rei.com/product/668198)) and like them alot. I can go with or without clipping in.

Agreed wholeheartedly on Crank Brothers. I use the Eggbeater C model and mountain bike shoes (better walkability if you have to walk....), and my spin has gotten SO much more efficient. The 7 degrees of float are nice for the knees, too. ;)

+1

FWIW, I've been using Speedplay Frogs for a number of years on both my mountain and road bikes. Nothing has more free float than these. I love them and so do my knees. The cleats fit in SPD compatible (mountain) shoes, so you don't damage your knees with a crazy uncomfortable walk when you get off the bike!

This is a timely thread for me! I just pulled the trigger on some Sidi Dominator 5 MTB shoes (size 52). Ordered them online at gearandtraining.com (Rogers, MN)

I am trying to sum up the differences in cleat styles/pedals.
SPD--- seems like many options and it seems likely that you will be more likely to be able to try other people's bikes. Several platform/spd pedals out there. Downside seems to be limited float.

CrankBrothers -- seems more rare, but more float than SPDs. I see pedals like the mallet that seem like you could use with street shoes, but it's not clear how comfortable that would be.

Any other points? Feel free to correct me. I'm trying to get my head around this.

Tom,

I was planning on going with crankbrothers, but my LBS, gave me a great deal on my Shimano. I haven't had any problems with my knees with the Shimano stuff, but if I get serious with triathlon, I might switch to crankbrothers for ease of running with my bike shoes on to get out of transition better.

I don't think you'd want to run long distances in any bike shoes.

This is a timely thread for me! I just pulled the trigger on some Sidi Dominator 5 MTB shoes (size 52). Ordered them online at gearandtraining.com (Rogers, MN)

I am trying to sum up the differences in cleat styles/pedals.
SPD--- seems like many options and it seems likely that you will be more likely to be able to try other people's bikes. Several platform/spd pedals out there. Downside seems to be limited float.

CrankBrothers -- seems more rare, but more float than SPDs. I see pedals like the mallet that seem like you could use with street shoes, but it's not clear how comfortable that would be.

Any other points? Feel free to correct me. I'm trying to get my head around this.

Sidi dominators! :thumb:

Perfomance used to have a version of the Crank Bros. That is a great deal in my opinion and what I would probably buy.

The problem with spds (I still use 'em) is that sometimes they hold mud and crap where you cleat needs to go, they are two sided and they tend to be heavier.

Keep in mind that not all spd-style pedals are compatible. I remember someone putting an spd cleat in a Ritchey pedal and not being able to clip out. :eek: Took our head mechanic 45 mins to work the cleat out without destroying the pedal and shoe.

Ritchey cleats/pedals are not always SPD compatible (as the previous poster so eloquently points out).

One of the keys to avoiding knee pain/damage is to make sure that your saddle height, fore aft and cleat position are all setup right. Being too far back or too low actually can create knee pain.

short of using platform pedals the most float Ive seen is the speed play frogs , its spedplays mountain pedal.

I bought these as they have 20 deg float, not to mention no tension relase, once your foot hits the 20 deg mark you just slide out (no springs to over come to release) , my old shimanos only offer 6 deg float my knees felt it,.

frogs have been great but I now spend more time using platform with loose powergrips for my day to day riding. I use the clipless for events and long group rides.

The gent that sells/ makes The Knee saver extensions is a sports physiologist and when I was inquiring the purchase of the extensions (for use with fat feet lake sandals) he said speed play made the most knee friendly pedals (his opinion of course).

have a great day

"John"

speedplay :thumb:

x (road):

http://www.all3sports.com/imageserver/images_big/SPDX2PD.jpg
frog (mtb):
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41aBvy-Y9eL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

I just got my Sidi Dominators shoes and ended up going with Shimano M424's as it turns out that crankbrothers won't work with my kneesavers! Anyway, the SPD clip-in took a while, but seems to be getting there. Nearly fell in the parking lot of the LBS, but it feels pretty good.

Thanks for your help!

Loosen the screw (if it's too tight) or were you having trouble "feeling" your way into the binder?