Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Knees and Fixed Gears

I started riding fixed a couple of weeks ago, and I am so addicted I have put a couple hundred miles on my new bike already. But my knees are killing me! Is this normal? I have a break, so I am not doing a lot of resisting, but still, I am worried. Maybe my gearing is too hard (48/16)? Has anyone else experienced this? What should I do?

I used to ride a fixie to work a lot and noticed that my knees ached occasionally too. I changed my rear cog to a 17 from a 16 and that seemed to help. You don't have as much top speed and you spin faster on the flats, but you are putting less strain on the old knees. It is also easier to get moving from a standing start. Don't forget that even if you do have a front brake you are using your muscles/tendons/ligaments differently by using your legs to put back- pressure on the pedals to slow down.

I started riding fixed a couple of weeks ago, and I am so addicted I have put a couple hundred miles on my new bike already. But my knees are killing me! Is this normal? I have a break, so I am not doing a lot of resisting, but still, I am worried. Maybe my gearing is too hard (48/16)? Has anyone else experienced this? What should I do?

Knee pain has to be taken seriously. I think you should take a break from cycling until all of the pain disappears. Your kees will grow stronger during the rest period. Having said that, your gearing is very high for a beginner. Choose a gear that is close to 70 gear inches according to sheldon's gear calculator (48/18 will work). When you get used to that gear (in couple of weeks or even few months) then increase the gear ratio. Fixie riding is very much like resistance training. You have to start low and progressively increase as you get comfortable at a level. Don't get scard by the knee pain and give up though. I had similar experience. You have to do things according to what your body tells you. In the end it is well worth it.

I have creaky knees, too. When they bother me, I ice them and take some ibuprofin. This always works. You may also stretch your legs more and work out your upper leg muscles. They are basic things. You may also want to talk with your doctor and have them take xrays. THe main thing I have noticed is that the more routinely I ride, the less they I feel achey.

I started riding fixed a couple of weeks ago, and I am so addicted I have put a couple hundred miles on my new bike already. But my knees are killing me! Is this normal? I have a break, so I am not doing a lot of resisting, but still, I am worried. Maybe my gearing is too hard (48/16)? Has anyone else experienced this? What should I do?

what kind of riding and how hard were you riding before the fixed? it could just be the couple of hundred miles in the short time frame. if you don't have big hills and aren't backpedalling, 48/16 seems reasonable. i haven't experienced any knee discomfort yet from riding fixed (knock on wood) and i grew up with osgood-schlatter disease so i know what knee pain is like. take every precaution to protect your knees. maybe running lower gear inches would help. good luck.

I have pretty bad knees as well and they started really aching recently when I started riding fixed. I've been taking glucosamine sulphate and it's really helped my knees. It is used for strengthening your joints and it helps rebuild cartilage. You can buy it at most drug stores.

Riding fixed made my knees stop hurting. Let me explain. I have a 17" mountain bike converted to ss and my knees always hurt. I got this fixed gear road bike and it was my proper size. As a result, my knees stopped hurting. Recently went back to the mountain bike and my knees started hurting again.

The reason I believe is that it is extremely crucial to have the proper fit to a bike, if your knees hurt check that first off at at good LBS. Also something i am wondering is if my fixed has 165mm cranks and my legs pedal in smaller circles if this might not reduce the knee pain. As well as the fact that riding fixed helps share the load between the two legs. Anyways, the point of this long post is:

1. Have a pro look at your bike fit. Sometimes the bike is just too damned small.
2. Get a bigger cog in back.
3. Get smaller cranks, dubious, wondering on this one but it seems logical to me.
4. As for glucosamine, asprin, ibuprofin, etc, etc, i have tried them and honestly i think they don't do much. The problem is why does ur knee hurt not to mask it. In my case it was because i have a curved spine and one leg is an inch longer than the other, the left leg, making it hurt because it does more of the work. The solution was keeping that in mind when fitting the bike properly.

Don't know if any of this rambling helps but i know how bad it sucks to want to ride but to have knees that hurt.

I have pretty bad knees as well and they started really aching recently when I started riding fixed. I've been taking glucosamine sulphate and it's really helped my knees. It is used for strengthening your joints and it helps rebuild cartilage. You can buy it at most drug stores.

What form is that in? Do you drink it? Judging from the "gluco" part I'm assuming it's some sort of sugar based thing.

fixed gear HELPED my knees. went from 85 ish gear inches single speed to 72 ish fixed (i started somewhere in the 60 gi actually) so i learned how to spin insted of crank.

like my friend who went from 52x12 free to 48x16 fixed. but thats another story of really shot knees.

Glucosamine suphate is great stuff. But it's for the middle aged, when your body's production of glucosamine slows down. If you take it,and you're not middle aged, your body may slow production of glucosamine prematurely.
I would explore lower gears, or using a regular bike for a while.

The gluco stuff seemed to work for me, too.

Weird coincidence, though: I just happened to go to 48x16 today after picking up a new chainring last week. My knees started up again on this new gearing. I am going to give it a little bit of time to see if my muscles, cartilage, tendons, etc. adjust or not. It may be a good idea for us to give it time and compare notes...?

Thanks a lot for the advice. I swapped my 48 chain ring for a 44, which seems to have helped, but I am going to check with my doctor too just to be sure.

Sounds like you may have caused an injury. See the Dr.

After you have recovered consider going back to your geared bike. Ride hills in a gear that works for you, slowly increasing until you have a good base of distance and speed. Then go fixed again. Unless you want, you may never have to go back to the geared bike again.

I have a history of knee problems, but have none this year because I built a good base. I ride a fixed 42X15.

You might wanna check your seat height as well, either over extension or under extension could cause problems with your knees.

Phil

don't forget...after only two weeks, your legs are still getting acquainted to a fixed drivetrain.

Take it easy, use the R.I.C.E. program, lower your gear by at least 8 gear inches, take it easy.

Then, if after a month you still have knee pain, see a doc.

What pedal system are you using? you mentioned nothing of it..or , at least, I didnt recall reading about it.

Also, do you pull up on the pedals as well? I highly recommend pulling up during upstroke. This spreads the power stroke so that you do not need to push down hard. There are occasions where you can just pull up and not push down at all, thereby relaxing one set of leg muscles. Pulling up also keeps your pedal stroke smooth throughout the rotation, which incidentally puts less strain on the knees.

Thanks a lot for the advice. I swapped my 48 chain ring for a 44, which seems to have helped, but I am going to check with my doctor too just to be sure.

I was thinking of this, too. Let us know how it works out in the long run.

I found that pushing off of the ground from stops helped a lot too. I had some knee pain for awhile, and I think it was coming from pushing down on one pedal from a stop, instead of using the foot that's on the ground to start the bike rolling. The foot that's on the pedal just follows it through the first pedal stroke, and reduces the stress on the joint.

And 48x16 is pretty high to start out with. It's even a lot if you're moving from a smaller ratio - I went from I think 42x20 to 48x14 in one day - it was way faster, but did hurt a bit. It's good you're trying the lower gearing, wust work your way up... You'll get there eventually.

I use clips and straps. I am going to give it a rest for a few days (I rode 212 miles in NYC last week, most in city traffic, on my geared bike I averaged half that or less a week) so I'll ease up a bit. I sold my geared bike, so there is no going back now.

If you are routinely going over the bridges in a 48/16, its obvious to me why your knees hurt, you're overgeared. When I commuted over the Bklyn bridge I used a 45/16. Williamsburg bridge needs a 42/16. No need to kill yourself with a macho gear.

So will a 44/16 be ok? I commute over the Manhattan Bridge, other than that I mostly ride flat.

What form is that in? Do you drink it? Judging from the "gluco" part I'm assuming it's some sort of sugar based thing.

It comes in pill form. Someone metioned that it's more for middle aged people. I'm suprised the pharmacist that I talked to did not mention this to me, considering i'm 25 but look even younger. Has anyone else heard this?

gumby. learn to go gumby, thats also important. once youve got a bit of a spin on let your legs go slack and get used to the smoothness of the pedal stroke. try not to strain yer knees when ya dont need to. (going gumby when yer going really fast the first time can be a bit scary tho, careful)

I started riding fixed on a 50-18 setup. My knees are currently destroyed - and I am waiting for them to get fixed again.

I'm a newbie fixie also, I'm taking delivery of my Bianchi Pista in about 4-5 days. I've been a very serious roadie for over 17 years and I do about 175-250 mi a week depending on time. I bought the Pista to haul my girls around in the Burley, I will be adding a front brake to the bike right off the bat. The bike comes with 48x16 gearing, should I go for a 17 or 18? Thanks for the help!

48*16 is kind of stiff - if you're using it to haul kids around, I'd probably go a little lighter.

I'm running 46*16 now, and that suits me fine. Tommorrow night will probably see the wheel flipped and 46*14 - gotta keep up with the jonses...

I ride a Pista with an 18 on one side and the 16 it came with on the other. The chain is fine with a close set like that. Truth be told, the 18 see most of the action since it's more comfy into the wind.

I ride a Pista with an 18 on one side and the 16 it came with on the other. The chain is fine with a close set like that. Truth be told, the 18 see most of the action since it's more comfy into the wind.

I'm guessing the 18t is on the freewheel side(?) Where did you you buy it from?

Started on a 42x15, then went to 44x15. At first it hurt, then absolutely no pain. I've recently changed to a 16 in the back and the pain is back. But just barely tho. I'll give it another week, and if it doesn't straighten out, I'll chalk it up to... "If it's already fixed, don't break it!"

So I picked up a 42cr and 18fw to start out on. The guys at the LBS are big time into fixed gears and they all agreed that I should start this light. I'll let you know how it works out.

I also started on a converted bike running a 42x18t (63") and worked my way up to 20-30 hilly mile rides running a 52x16t (88".) Are you standing for the hills or trying to tough them out saeted? I stand more with the higher gearing, but get up the hill faster. My Van Dessel runs a 44x16t (74") and it's the best compromise gearing. I've done up to 67 hilly miles on it running cross tires.

I agree about checking for correct seat high as well.

Easiest way to find the right gear is to try it.
Break out your ole multi-gear or borrow one.
Pick a ratio & stick with it
jeff

Yes, yes, check your seat height and over all bike fit. I was getting the knee pains too and thought it was just hilly San Francisco. Turns out I adjusted seat height and lateral and it's gooood.

Definitely give it a rest if you can to heal too.

I had knee pain last year, bad enough to hinder walking. First thing, I stopped playing basketball. I ride for transportation so staying off the bike was not an option, but I lowered the gear. (As I get better at spinning, I keep lowering the gear--now 47x18.) The gear plus practice yielded a lot rounder pedal stroke.

The other thing I would recommend for anybody who puts stress on their knees is kneeling. If your butt doesn't reach the floor comfortably between your feet, sit on a block. I do this for 10 mins each morning while I read the news, makes a huge difference on my commute (20 miles each way, fixed).

to healthy knees! --clink

--orange

i'm only 17, and this year (well, last year i guess!) i was a hardcore roadie. THEN, i hit a pickup. doin like, 18mph. my ear got cut on the asphalt, but only my left knee got hurt. My left knee came in FULL CONTACT with the side of the truck, patella first, as i began to flip over the bed. after two MRI's, 3 trips to the doc, and NO PT, (and btw, this happened june 4th) i was wearing neoprene brace. for a month. i freestyle footbag, and that puts alot of strain on the knees, and 4 days after the wreck, i went back to my VERY physically demanding job. now,over 6 months after the accident, my knee is finally O.K to ride. but i havn't ridden fixie, i'm building one right now. i'm kinda stressed, but confident my knee will be okay. i take glucosamine as well. the point is, time heals. your body only gets one hand dealt of cartilage, and it takes a while do build up the big chips. take a break, stretch. eat carrots.

change your gearing and adjust your toeclips toe in so that your foot lays in a more natural way on the pedal

I ride 42/16 - 49/16 and 52/18 on my bikes and well ya know the story

I'm a newbie fixie also, I'm taking delivery of my Bianchi Pista in about 4-5 days. I've been a very serious roadie for over 17 years and I do about 175-250 mi a week depending on time. I bought the Pista to haul my girls around in the Burley, I will be adding a front brake to the bike right off the bat. The bike comes with 48x16 gearing, should I go for a 17 or 18? Thanks for the help!

I normally ride with 49/17. Thats about the perfect road gear for me. Normally, I ride unencumbered by a trailer, but I do pull my kid to daycare 5 days a week with this gear ratio and it works fine for the 2.5 mile ride to daycare. However there are no major hills between my house and daycare. Otherwise I might want to go with a slighltly lower gear. Anyway, if you are a highly experienced roadie, I would think that you would quickly adapt to a fairly steep gear ratio. The biggest difference is learning how to climb with a big gear, but you develop pedaling techniques for this. I'm actually thinking about going down to a 16 tooth cog. I've been riding 49/17 for about a year now and I've gotten a lot stronger, and could probalby gain a little speed by loosing a tooth on the cog.

Make sure that your gear isn't too steep. I hear that's what causes knee damage, not back pressure/skidding. And be careful of riding in cold weather.

I started on a 42X18 set up and had absolutely no problems. I may move up this spring, or maybe not. The jury is still out.

I used to have a bunch of knee problems when I biked until I re-set my cleats on my clipless pedals. A rider I repect a lot told me to set my cleats to mimic how I walked. If your toes point out when you walk, they should when you pedal. If they point in when you walk, they should when you pedal. I followed this and my knee problems went away.

If you were (or are) a roadie then you will understand fit, so what you need to worry about is your gearing. Keep it around 70 gear inches and you should be fine and use a brake for slowing and stopping. My guess is that riding will strengthen your knees if you do it right.


Edit: Way to do a search and pull up a good old thread. A lot of names I haven't heard in quite a while. Goatmeal, HereNT, Skitbra, and others are missed on here.

can someone explain to me what those two numbers mean for gears.... elaborate.. thanks

Make sure that your gear isn't too steep. I hear that's what causes knee damage, not back pressure/skidding. And be careful of riding in cold weather.


Theres no definitie gear ratio above which causes knee injury. This will vary from person to person, depending on the terrain they ride in, how much stop and go is involved, their speed, pedaling technique, body size, bike fit, prior knee health, genetic factors, and so on. I'd say go with whatever is most comfortable. Most of my miles are done fairly fast on open road so I prefer a high gear and that works fine for me. Too low and I'm just spinning way too fast. My knees feel fine 99% of the time. However, occasionally, I'll ride into NYC and there I ride slower with a lot more stop and go. For me its a long ride to even get into NYC (from Long Island) and after decelerating and accellerating 100 times or so at traffic lights my knees will start to get moderately sore. If I frequently rode in an uber-urban setting I'd definately want to gear down by about 5-6 gear inches or so, at least.

can someone explain to me what those two numbers mean for gears.... elaborate.. thanks

the first number is the number of teeth in your chainring. the second is the number of teeth in your cog.

sheldonbrown.com/gears

number of teeth in chainring meaning... the CHAIN right?

can someone explain the relationship of the first and second number to me? if the first number is higher than it's easier/harder to peddle if the second number is higher it's easier/hrader to peddle.. etc etc?

http://sheldonbrown.com/glossary-c.html

First number higher=harder

Second number higher = easier.

Just like on a geared bike.

47*17 is nice on my knees. Pulling up with my trailing foot in hard climbs helps.

Generally my spidey sense tells me when something I'm doing isn't right by my knees, and I can stop before I get actual pain.

I only get knee pain when I try to use pack-pedal force to stop. Hurts both knees, not just the one that hd arthroscopic surgery. Another possible cause...

Glucosamine isn't just for middle aged people, just usually for people with knee problems. A friend of mine took it after an injury. It rebuilds/strengthens the cartilage that may be missing from your knee. Less of a problem with the young, than the old, but only you know how your knees usually are.

Some contributing factors
-poor bike fit
-taking on too much too soon (especally hard braking or skidding)
-poor form when at high cadence

Al