janib00

Hi everyone,

Up to now I've only done MTB, but now I'd like to start with road cycling.

I happen to have "chondromalacia patella" (i.e. runner's knee) in my right knee. I've read (and experienced) that one of the ways to prevent knee inflammation originating from cycling would be adjusting the saddle much closer to handlebars than usual.

Now that I've been thinking about buying a bike for road cycling, I've been wondering whether a triathlon bike would be a better alternative for me compared to a traditional road bike, as tri-bikes usually have a geometry that positions the saddle almost above the pedals, and therefore would seem like a good option for a guy with a bad knee.

So, anyone with knee problems, have you experienced that tri-bikes would reduce runner's knee -related problems compared to traditional road bikes?

And yes, I know that the primary fix for this knee problem is strengthening the quadriceps and keeping cadence sufficiently high

Thanks in advance
Jani

Lazyass

I've had runners knee most of my adult life (thanks to a quarter century as an airborne infantryman). When I walk up and down stairs all you hear is *creak creak*. A regular road bike has never hurt my knees. As long as you're properly fitted with the correct saddle height you'll be fine. I don't see how adjusting it closer to the bars would have any positive effect. I also raced MTB's and I know that it's harder on your knees than road cycling. Just spin smooth and don't be a masher as you mentioned.

I never have had and never will have a tri bike so I can't comment on that.

Campag4life

Agree with LA. OP, a tri bike is much more singular in its purpose than a road bike which can be ridden pretty much anywhere and latter has a more upright position. As it turns out, I believe your assertion about forward saddle position affecting knee health is incorrect...at least comparing a tri bike to a road bike.
At the end of the day its pelvis rotation or lack there off that 'may' affect knee health and comparison studies between road bike and tri bike show hip angles to be quite similar. Reason is...a tri bike position simply rotates the entire rider more forward about the BB...torso, hips and legs...greater forward weight bias being supported by the elbows for less fatigue and improved aerodynamics...whole premise of a TT bike...to cheat the wind under steady state riding conditions. So aggragate change from knee to torso to hip angles are largely the same as a road bike...or within a degree or so of hip angle...a road bike rider simply rotated more rearward about the BB and weight supported by core strength with a little help from the arms.
Now its possible that a given hip angle may work better for knee health on a road bike or a tri bike. And this does relate to saddle position for either bike...both fore/aft and saddle height.
You may prefer an 0 setback seatpost on a road bike for example. I know a few very good riders who ride this way and I currently am not running a lot of setback either because I feel a higher saddle a bit more over the cranks 'for me' creates a bit more power and a less encumbered pedal stroke...but this is all personal preference honed by trial and error and different riders prefer more or less setback...in part based upon how aggressive they ride as higher pedal forces unweight the torso of a given rider more.

So get a nice road bike...be sure to pick the right size and work diligently on your fit.
Knee health can be affected by saddle position front/back and up/down...but also your shoes and cleats and float and how pure/piston like your pedal stroke is. No real diff between a tri bike or road bike and the latter has a much broader application and a much more versatile bike to live with day in.

Bah Humbug

I'd just roll my quads more.

StanSeven

I ride with both type bikes and agree with what C4L said. A tri/TT rotates the riders position above the bb more. That's why many people use a different special purpose saddle or lower the saddle nose. But it doesn't affect your knees.

janib00

Many thanks for your replies. I'll start looking for a road bike now and try to keep my knees healthy.

Paul Barnard

Thank you for your service.