sbs z31

So I'm trying to figure out which of my leg is shorter than the other. I know getting an xray is the best solution but that probably won't happen soon. Today I had my wife watched me from behind while I was on the trainer. She said my left hip would drop on the downstroke and my right hip has minimal hip drop/movements. So I used a 3mm cleat shim with two cleat wedges on the left foot and 1 cleat wedge on the right shoe. This time my wife said there's less drop on the left hip but still drop/rock more than the right hip. I've been rding for almost 3yrs now and was always under the impression of my right leg being the shorter one because my right leg has always extended more than the left leg on the downstroke. My wife also noticed about my leg extensions on the downstroke. Has my body compensated for the shorter left leg and favor that side more? Is my left leg the shorter leg and not the right leg? I'm going in for a bike fit soon but would like you guys opinion.

xjustice09x

I also have a leg length imbalance. My left leg is 0.5 to 1 cm longer than my right. A good fitter should be able to figure that out without an xray. I learned about it at my first fitting. At the time my left leg was generating more power than my right leg.

I have a cleat shim under my right shoe to compensate.

Instead of guessing without seeing you I recommend seeing a fitter. Identifying issues like this seem to be a common practice for many detailed fittings. It definitely was when I got a specialized BG fit, and when I got a retul fit.

LuckySailor

Lay on your back on your bed with your feet right at the edge of the bed. Not hanging over though. Have your wife jostle your foot (shake from left to right) a few times. This will loosen up your hip. Do it to the other leg. At this point she should be able to compare which heel is longer. The toe half of your foot will relax forward (away from you). She can lightly push up on the top half of the foot and check out the heels to see which is longer. I go through this at the chiropractor when he is adjusting my back. My right leg is 3/4" shorter than the left. I do not have any shims in place on my cleats. Never had any issues after biking-even long rides- 5 hours. OTOH, my street shoes are all altered that 3/4" and tapered some to the toe. Several years ago, my back just flat gave out and I couldn't walk, sit, drive-nothing without extreme discomfort. This is the result of a car accident 35 years ago while I was walking along the road. Both legs broken extensively below the knees. I've started making a new sole for the right cycling shoe so that if I get off and walk a while, I can do it without having a spare pair of shoes in my pannier. But this is a work in progress. I'd be curious to know what you learn after the bike fit.