Originally Posted by jrowedc
Hey, thanks for putting a name on this problem (patellar tendonitis). I posted a couple of weeks ago asking whether I should be worried about the sensitivity below my patellas, and was told to get a smaller gear, which I've done. Unfortunately the smaller gear hasn't helped. If anything it's encouraged me to put on more miles, which has in turn negated any possible benefit of the smaller gear. I felt it today during my ride. I think I'm going to have to take a short break. Right now though I'm going to get a bag of ice.
pain below your knee cap can certainly be a symptom of your saddle being too low. with a freewheeling bike incorrect saddle height is MUCH less apparent. fixed gears will teach you a lot about positioning in my experience, and will make you a much better freewheeling biker to boot.