Patellar tendonitis is harshing my commute.
 

Anyone else have this über-annoying knee/leg malady? I'm out with two weeks of rest per the doctor... Missing my favorite riding month of leaf changing, perfect temps, and mellow light. Just built a new bike, too!

Thinking about making the switch from straps to clipless pedals because of this. After pushing +2,000 miles on a moderately ratioed singlespeed this summer, I feel like I owe it to my poor knees for more pedal efficiency. I am pretty sure I've been riding with my seat a little too far forward, so I'm pushing it back a bit (tall with a short torso, hard to find the right fitting without reaching for the bars).

Hoping by November I will be back in full gear!

Here's to frozen peas, glucosamine, diclofenac, automobile reliance, traffic, elevators, and pent-up energy not being properly displaced!

Pedals could help, make sure your saddle isn't too low as well. Best way I know to dial in the saddle height is to ride around with your heels on the pedals and check that you're getting full leg extension. My knees are really sensitive to saddle position as well.

If dialing in your position doesn't fix it, might be time to consider a multispeed for the sake of your knees. :(

I had this issue for a couple of years (tendonitis probably complicated by a little age-related deterioration of the joint) and it severely limited by cycling. Not that I'm all that old (early 40s), but old enough that I heal slower than I used to. I would caution you to do everything possible to get it to heal and ease back into cycling carefully.

Thanks for the input/advice! Seat is boosted high enough for my long legs, but the heel trick is a good one to know. I am only 28, but my body feels a lot older with aches and pains, and definitely not healing as fast as it used to. I skateboarded for 10 years... Knees aren't happy about that!

I have it too, though running is much harsher than cycling on my knees.

The usual advice - saddle height + cadence applies but I want to add that with clipless pedals you can also experiment with cleat position. I like mine further back than the default "ball of foot" position. I'm also very sensitive to saddle height. I have about 5 pairs of shoes with cleats, and I wish they were all the same sole height (but they're not). I (think I) can feel the differences between them.

And I always prefer using clipless, regardless of ride distance. I stopped using toeclips once I went clipless.