Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - grinding popping knee

How tough is a fixed gear on your knees? I have already concluded I will have to run a tall gear on the rear because of a lovely grind pop that my right knee does when relying on torque rather than spinning up a hill. Also my knee has no cartilage and a replacement ACL. I think the ligament is fine, I think my problem is the cartilage. Maybe I could fix the left crank and leave the right geared with a freewheel mwahahahaha. I would look like a clock.

I think you know the answer to that question already. Your knee certainly knows. If you want it in stone, go see a sports Doc. But you know what he'd say already.

Have you tried Fleximen? It's (spelled wrong) Gluclosimen and congol.... Hell I don't know. It's in a box with a picture of a knee with a red LED behind it so it lights up. Helps me and my dog.

Joe

I know I need to see a doc, if it is just a strange sound and pain I can live with that, but I imagine some sore of damage is occuring allong with all that. Another thing, I had a lubricant sack (that's how the doc explained it) removed after I punctured it on a riding lawn mower, it was a deep cut just below and to the right (my right) of my knee cap, do these things grow back?

I agree, there is prob some damage happening. When you go, if you could record the Doc's comments, I'd like to hear them. I suspect sooner is a lot better than later....

Have you tried Fleximen? It's (spelled wrong) Gluclosimen and congol.... Hell I don't know. It's in a box with a picture of a knee with a red LED behind it so it lights up. Joe


Hey, what does this stuff do? What kind of stores do you find it in?


And Temp1, I'd also like to know what your doctor says, if you go. Please pass on the info.

I have a lesser knew problem, of that I'm sure; however, I am doing all that I can to keep up healthy knees so as to prevent from getting old and super crotchedy. :D

Pete

Also my knee has no cartilage and a replacement ACL.

If all your cartilage (entire medial and lateral meniscus) has been removed, then the bottom of your femur (upper leg bone) is directly contacting the top of your tibia and fibula (lower leg bones). The only cartilage you have left is the articular cartilage that coats the end of the bone. Articular cartilage is the rubbery stuff like you would find @ the end of a chicken bone. Unfortunately, this will (if it hasn't already) wear out and then arthritis will set in.

I would give up the fixed gear dream in an effort to extend the life of my knees. Now, having said that, my knees are not the picture of health either. However, I bought a SS mountain bike this year, and will never be able to give it up. It's simply too much fun. :D

I have had osteoarthritis in most of my joints and for the last 12 years I have been using Glucosamine Chrondratin in an attempt to build back up my cartilage for 2 years. It is available over the counter in most pharmacys or Kmart/Walmart. I can honestly say that it has allowed me to continue bicycling since I started taking it. There is a period of time that you take it, in the begining, that you may not see any change but gradually(within 60-90 days), you should realise improvement in all your joint function. I reccommend it without reservation as it has certainly helped me. That said with the caveat that you don't have some major problem in the knee. You should be able to use the lower gear/higher spinning concept without any problem either way. It is the heavy power pedaling that does the most damage to the knee. Or at least so my MD. said. I would get an opinion from your MD, especialy one that is familiar with sports medicine.

fixedgearhead

That is exactally the problem, low RPM lots of resistance= funny sounds. Do you have any negative effects from using resistance to slow down through back pedaling?

The amount of money you pay to get advice in Bikeforums is also the true value of it. Go to a doctor

I don't personally have any more pain, since I stared taking the above mentioned supplement. But when I started out I did have some pain. At that time I was riding with a front brake so the slowing down was not as dependent on restistance pressure. The majority of my bikes have no brakes at all other than resistance. I just got back from a 30-mile ride over rolling hilly terrain here in Central Ohio(yes there are hills here) on the blue Panasonic that is pictured on another post and it was uneventfull as far as My knees go. I have that one set up with 40/15 for a gear inch ratio of 72 gear inches. That is the lowest gearing that I have on any of my bikes. 76 or 74 or 75 is the most often used gear. If you just pick the gearing that matches the terrain you will be riding you can do it with no problem. At least that is what I have found.

fixedgearhead

Hey, what does this stuff do? What kind of stores do you find it in?


And Temp1, I'd also like to know what your doctor says, if you go. Please pass on the info.

I have a lesser knew problem, of that I'm sure; however, I am doing all that I can to keep up healthy knees so as to prevent from getting old and super crotchedy. :D

Pete

I get it a WalMart in the pill section. My Dr. (the one that repaired the torn tendon 2 years ago) said it is good stuff. I know a lot of folks that Docs have told to try it. Even my dogs vet, but then it comes in a kind of dog bisket. It gets new cartledge to grow.

fixedgearhead spelled it right.


Joe

The amount of money you pay to get advice in Bikeforums is also the true value of it. Go to a doctor

seconded. it's your health. and while a lot of the advice here comes from people who've "been there," nothing beat being examined by a doctor.

that said, the other day, i was riding, and my index finger on my left hand just...fell off. is this an early sign of leprosy? has this happened to anyone else? should i be concerned? :)

The amount of money you pay to get advice in Bikeforums is also the true value of it. Go to a doctor

C'mon! I've had several rashes solved by folks here!

Infact.. (zip zip)

:eek:

Lotion!

I need lotion!!!

:D

Good advice you gave there Clark!

seconded. it's your health. and while a lot of the advice here comes from people who've "been there," nothing beat being examined by a doctor.

that said, the other day, i was riding, and my index finger on my left hand just...fell off. is this an early sign of leprosy? has this happened to anyone else? should i be concerned? :)
Actually it only means you will never be able to ride in a "Points" race on a velodrome without a transplant.

fixedgearfinger

that said, the other day, i was riding, and my index finger on my left hand just...fell off. is this an early sign of leprosy? has this happened to anyone else? should i be concerned? :)
stop picking your nose while riding

seconded. it's your health. and while a lot of the advice here comes from people who've "been there," nothing beat being examined by a doctor.

I agree, but with a slight correction - make sure you get examined by a GOOD doctor. There are plenty of quacks out there. Also, search for a sports-specific doc that has a good reputation. Do your homework!!! You only have one body, and one bad doc can trash it.

Surgery is probably not the answer, Glucosamine, rest, strengthening exercises to build up the muscles around the knee, LOWER gears so you can spin-- which should be good for your knee.

If you do go to a doctor and he starts talking surgery get a second opinion before you let him do it. Doctors don't always give you the best advice, I would be more inclined to ask a good chiropractor or PT.

My left knee was messing up on me so I bought a book for 1 buck at the used book store and did some exercises to strengthen and stretch-- helped a bunch. I also dropped my gearing on my mountain bike to 36x18.

That's what worked for me.

I have a similar enough sound out of my left knee due to tearing ligaments while messengering a few years ago, and they both get a bit sore after a days riding my road bike. I've never spent much time on fixies but love the idea and want one for street riding, but I'm worried about the stresses involved in slowing the bike down by applying backwards pressure. I'd want to ride with a front brake anyway, but I'm not sure if I'd just get pains from riding it. They're not really the type of bike I can borrow for a trial as they're pretty rare round these parts (Ireland), anyone got any comments?

Mine have been grinding and popping for a few years now and sometimes I even get to enjoy some swelling.

We are wearing out.

The amount of money you pay to get advice in Bikeforums is also the true value of it. Go to a doctor

Aw come on, I'm a professional Bull$hitologist. When I need to make intelligent decisions I consult my wife.

Seaners,
you need to see a good sports Doc.
Either that or something is wrong with your riding position. You also should ice your knees down after a ride. The more swelling you can prevent, the better. Time to deal with the problem. WHile you're talking with the Doc, he can tell you what you already know.