Bow legged on a bike
05-07-08, 10:59 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 526
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Bow legged on a bike
Did a race yesterday, that my friend video taped. I always knew I was bow legged, but seeing myself on a bike pedaling like I was a frog looked ridiculous.
I have never made a conscientious effort to pedal "straight". Should I?
I have never made a conscientious effort to pedal "straight". Should I?
Last edited by Amen; 05-07-08 at 11:07 AM.
05-07-08, 12:43 PM
#2
trois, mon frère
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Gainesville/Miami, FL
Posts: 576
Bikes: '01 Gary Fisher Wahoo, '08 Giant TCR C2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If I'm not mistaken, you would get more power by pedaling straight. Other than that I don't think it's a big deal.
05-07-08, 12:54 PM
#3
Voice of the Industry
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 12,572
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1188 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
8 Posts
I hate to be the barer of bad news but to strike perfect cycling form, you will have to have your legs broken and reset. I recommend this be performed late in the fall to minimize off the bike time in the forthcoming season.
HTH.
HTH.
05-07-08, 01:29 PM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 526
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I was actually contemplating that, but not for cycling reasons. My girlfriend had it done, but she had a six inch difference in one of her legs. It is major surgery that requires months of rehab.
Last edited by Amen; 05-07-08 at 01:43 PM.
05-07-08, 01:34 PM
#5
Voice of the Industry
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 12,572
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1188 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
8 Posts
https://www.limblengthening.com/
I was actually contemplating that, but not for cycling reasons. My girlfriend had it done, but she had a six difference in her leg length. It is major surgery that requires months of rehab.
I was actually contemplating that, but not for cycling reasons. My girlfriend had it done, but she had a six difference in her leg length. It is major surgery that requires months of rehab.
If they don't reconnect your feet properly you are screwed and will never perform the Mexican hat dance again. Depends how bow legged you are. If mild, consider a custom crankset with increased Q factor.
05-07-08, 01:43 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 2,910
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 140 Post(s)
Liked 327 Times
in
161 Posts
Pedaling like a frog with your knees pointed out, and bowlegged with your knees facing forward, but legs arched out are two different things. If your problem is the former, you can slowly train yourself to pedal with your knees closer to the top tube. Just by conciously thinking about it for parts of your ride will help. Pedaling with your knees closer to the top tube will make you more aerodynamic and therefore faster.
05-07-08, 03:25 PM
#8
Evil Genius
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Tallahassee, Florida USA
Posts: 632
Bikes: Pedal Force ZX3, Gary V Titanio, 1985 Cinelli Supercorsa, 1981 Pogliaghi, 1995 Casati Ellisse, Cinelli Softmachine hardtail, Surly Pugsley
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just so's you know, an artificial knees-in pedaling gait can contribute significantly to knee problems down the road. And not all that MUCH farther down the road, in my experience. A natural cadence, though not espoused by Eddie B and the like, is now considered most desirable. You may not generate optimum power, but you'll do a whole lot better than you will with persistent chondromalacia or bursitis issues.
These have been my problems since 1991. Your mileage may vary.
These have been my problems since 1991. Your mileage may vary.
__________________
-- Michael
-- Michael
05-07-08, 05:24 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Seattle
Posts: 644
Bikes: Scott scale 29er, Gary fisher Rig SS 29er, Fuji Cross pro, Novara Randonee, Scattante TI custom build, Fuji Team
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you are serious about the limb lengthening... well, lets just hope you arent.
Go see a PT. Check your hip flexibility. I had a guy with severe hip restrictions and it was comical on a bike. Although he was not a cyclist....
Go see a PT. Check your hip flexibility. I had a guy with severe hip restrictions and it was comical on a bike. Although he was not a cyclist....
05-07-08, 06:44 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,201
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Concious effort to pedal with knees tucked in helps in early development. If you're truly bow-legged, then don't fight it - nothing but problems will follow.
__________________
05-07-08, 10:48 PM
#11
moth -----> flame
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 5,916
Bikes: 11 CAAD 10-4, 07 Specialized Roubaix Comp, 98 Peugeot Horizon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Just so's you know, an artificial knees-in pedaling gait can contribute significantly to knee problems down the road. And not all that MUCH farther down the road, in my experience. A natural cadence, though not espoused by Eddie B and the like, is now considered most desirable. You may not generate optimum power, but you'll do a whole lot better than you will with persistent chondromalacia or bursitis issues.
These have been my problems since 1991. Your mileage may vary.
These have been my problems since 1991. Your mileage may vary.
05-08-08, 09:48 AM
#12
ɹǝʇsɯıʇ
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: MD
Posts: 840
Bikes: 2011 Focus Whistler // 2011 Cannondale CAAD10 // 2009 Scattante XRL TT // 1993 Cannondale R400
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
This is a very interesting topic. I have genu varum (bow-legged) and it causes pain on the inside of my knee when I am on the bike (I probably also look like a frog). I used to be able to correct it by adjusting my cleat position, but it seems to be getting worse.
I wonder if surgery is something worth pursuing.
I wonder if surgery is something worth pursuing.
05-08-08, 09:53 AM
#13
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,303
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1447 Post(s)
Liked 727 Times
in
372 Posts
Knees in, is more aero,more efficient, and should put less stress on your joints.
Make sure your seat is high enough. Also work on hip flexibility.
You can do drills where you brush your knee on the top tube as you pedal.
I'd agree that forcing an unnatural pedal stroke can hurt your knees.
However, it's not natural to pedal with your knees splayed.
You'll need to sort out how much of your form is the result of your anatomy, and how much of it may be poor form. And make any changes gradually.
Make sure your seat is high enough. Also work on hip flexibility.
You can do drills where you brush your knee on the top tube as you pedal.
I'd agree that forcing an unnatural pedal stroke can hurt your knees.
However, it's not natural to pedal with your knees splayed.
You'll need to sort out how much of your form is the result of your anatomy, and how much of it may be poor form. And make any changes gradually.
08-18-16, 11:42 PM
#15
Unavilable due to riding
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Cinci, Ohio
Posts: 418
Bikes: Nishiki Olympic
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 127 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
very old topic but i noticed tonight that i do this and now my hips are paying for it! My leader suggested what others have, if anyone else stumbles across this thread, to raise my seat and try to correct if i can.
08-19-16, 01:29 PM
#16
Recusant Iconoclast
When I did my bike fitting years ago (a pro fit, not the LBS sales guy), they used that laser thingy to make sure my pedal stroke was consistent down the vertical plane, and if necessary, allows for adjustment of the clips with shims, longer/shorter pedal spindles, or even crank length.
08-19-16, 02:37 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 564
Bikes: 1976 Raleigh,2015 Bianchi Intenso, 2012 Specialized Secteur.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
I'm bow legged as all hell. I make a conscious effort to keep my knees tucked in when I'm riding. Over time it's become more and more automatic and I find it's much more comfortable on longer rides. I'm a bit older and have some small hip issues and I've noticed it's cut way down on some aching I'd get in my hips that would radiate down my left let.
08-20-16, 02:34 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: northern michigan
Posts: 13,317
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 659 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times
in
313 Posts
Can you swim well?
08-20-16, 02:36 PM
#19
Unavilable due to riding
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Cinci, Ohio
Posts: 418
Bikes: Nishiki Olympic
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 127 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
08-20-16, 06:15 PM
#21
Unavilable due to riding
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Cinci, Ohio
Posts: 418
Bikes: Nishiki Olympic
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 127 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
watermelon_2001
Road Cycling
26
03-29-11 03:31 AM
