This summer I started to get a sharp pain at the very front of the knee cap on the left leg. In the past it would happen, then by the end of the ride go away. Early this summer the pain stayed for an entire ride, but could be put at bay if I changed the way I pedaled and stood for every climb. No chance of pushing over 15mph on a flat section. Today I rode without any pain at all, and averaged 14mph for 30 miles, stood for every climb and was able to push 22 on the flats.


Originally I thought there was a tear in the meniscus, however now I am not sure what to make of it. Going to the doc at end of month, then he sends me to a specialist and the bills start to accumulate! Anyone have a similar experience, and what did you do to remedy it?

It might be related to your pedaling style. Possibly, you're exerting peak force too early while the knee is still very bent. Delaying the peak push, might make a difference.

On steep climbs, rather than standing, I push farther back in the saddle, which is sort of like raising the saddle and opens the knee a bit. Then, I think steam or hydraulic power, and press smoothly and more lightly, through a longer arc. At first it took conscious effort, but now I do it without any thought as easily as changing gears.

Maybe find a physical therapist who rides, and truly understands what goes on while you ride.
You might even be able to do a self-pay visit, and avoid going to your primary, then to an orthopedic surgeon first.

You may be on to something. I changed the stroke for the pained knee to avoid the pain to more of a toe down style and don't dip the heel at the bottom. In doing so I see where the push comes later in the stroke when the knee is less bent. Sitting back in the saddle works on easy climbs, and as long as I use the semi toe down stroke there is no pain, however on steep grades I have to stand. Long climbs I prefer to stand, as I always have as it allows me to stretch the legs and back.


Not sure a PT will do self funded visits. Will have to ask the one down the road if it is possible. Back in the old days this is how it was done, but not any more. In 87 I went to a sports doc and PT, all self funded, but now they won't bother with you unless you have insurance. The times, they are a'changin'.

Did 20 this morning. Paid strict attention to the pedal stroke and had zero knee pain. Averaged 17 mph which included going up heartbreak hill. A very good day in the saddle. Doing 60 on Sunday. Should prove interesting.

I had no knee pain until this summer when I got a road bike. Then I needed to pay closer attention to saddle position and riding style.

Twinges on the front inside of the knee indicated the saddle was too far forward. Setting the saddle back a bit minimized that problem. Meanwhile I wore a Mueller jumper's knee strap to help with patella tracking -- it's just a dense foam tube inside a narrow band. Helped a lot.

Unfortunately that led to more pressure and chafing on the perineum. So tilted the saddle nose down one notch. That relieved the perineum discomfort.

Unfortunately that led to slipping downward a bit toward the nose of the saddle, and the knee twinges again. So I concentrated on using my legs more to stay back on the saddle. That helped, but is also more tiring.

Feels like I'm chasing my own tail. I may need a new saddle, something to keep me in the sweet spot without perineum pressure or relying on leg effort just to stay in the sweet spot. I'd rather reserve my quads for pedaling.

I'm happy to hear I may have helped you toward a solution. I have no idea whether the improvement is good for 60, and wish you luck.

However, if it does seem to help, you should stay with it, and tweak it as you go along until you feel you've dialed in the best pattern. After a while the better pattern will become natural and with any luck the issue will be largely resolved.

OP might be advised to check the bike fit as well.

Tomorrow I see the doc to get a referral. Did 64 in the heat and humidity on Sunday. It didn't bother me until mile 44. If I push on the front of the knee I feel a little click and the pain stops, and as long as I am mindful of the pedal stroke it does not come back. As soon as I push too early, it roars back to life. Maybe the doc will find a tendon issue or something similar. Still riding, just being careful how the pedal stroke is done.

Always do the easy and cheap thing first.

Stretch. See if it gets better over time.

I had no knee pain this summer. I even rode my recumbent trike over the Rockies. Then I got back to work and started riding my upright commuter. About two weeks later I started having extreme knee pain. My leg muscles were extremely tight.

It is now a month later and walking is still painful and the leg that hurts is hotter than the other, but not a much so as when the pain was at its peak. I think the sore leg is also a bit swollen; but I can't tell because that leg is always significantly larger than the other.

If it still hurts at my next Dr. appointment I will mention it.

This is like the old joke about "Doc, it hurts whenever I do this.....".

With luck the Doc may find something, and offer some kind of physical therapy suggestions. OTOH - if he says it can only be surgically repaired, you'll have a decision.

In the meantime, changing how you pedal is making a major difference, and may point the way to a long term solution. On the bright side, pedaling is a deeply ingrained automatic process. Changing the stroke calls for constant awareness now, but soon enough the new stroke will displace the old one in the programming and you'll be in good shape with zero mental effort.

Best of luck tomorrow.

Is it possible that a change in seats can cause this issue?

The old plastic seat on my Raleigh died. The cover came off and I rode home on the steel frame a few weeks back (don't try this, you won't like the bumps in the road). I had a NOS Raleigh seat and put it on. It seemed too small so I added a gel cover. Sometime since then I have begun having heavy leg cramps and sore knees but didn't think of the seat. Last night at the bike coop I was having trouble bending if I dropped a part and one of the other riders said immediately, your seat needs adjustment if your having pain.

I only do 20km (roughly 12 miles) a day and on a flat route) and usually the only thing that bothered me was summer heat.

Could this guy be right and I need a seat adjustment somehow or even a new seat????