RoshaBeli

Even though I have my bike set up right with the Heel to Pedal method, it hurts my left knee after a ride. Like my left knee is shattering. I also can feel creaking in both knees when I lay my palms on my knees and moving my knees in a swinging motion. I place my left knee on the floor while stopping and starting.

shelbyfv

You might consider seeing a medical professional.

Korina

I agree; an actual physician can help you better than some internet strangers.

cyclezen

Hi,
A good medical professional should be able to clarify if you have a problem or injury, and possibly offer a good treatment protocol.
The bike and cycling side may be more complicated. Obviously, your current setup is not right. It's much more complicated than what a few sentences or even paragraphs can elucidate on, here.
And it needs direct personal, in-person analysis by someone who has the needed knowledge.
Finding that person may be difficult, and may take some time and trial and error. Maybe start by asking questions where to find that person - could be asking in a bike shop with long,strong history in your area, from someone in the shop with some strong, long time experience - not a nose-picker.
Some people can just jump on a bike and have a great, happy experience for many rides and years.
Others will have to sort things out, bit by bit.
It can be a journey... Good Luck!
Yuri

70sSanO

Having the word shattered and knee in the same sentence is never a good thing. It is impossible to diagnose what is going on, and I have no clue on your seat height.

But my first gut feeling is that if you are riding clipped in and you positioned them based on what a book said, that would be the first thing to consider; well after seeing a doctor to find out if you have any damage.

If that cleat is positioned wrong for the way you legs work it can really screw things up. For example “only”, if you happen to be someone that flares your knees significantly and your cleat is set for everything to be nice and straight you could be putting tremendous stress on your knees.

But I’m “not” saying this is happening. You’ll need to find someone after you’re healed up that can analyze what is going on.

John

freeranger

Stop riding until you have your knees examined. You could be making them worse than they are now, which could make you stop riding, whether you want to or not.

Milton Keynes

Dr. Google, paging Dr. Google, you're needed in the thread...

Iride01 

You probably don't have your bike set up right. The heel to pedal method is just to find a starting point for you. Then you adjust up or down from there until you find what works for you.

That's the way all these old rules of thumb and formulas for setting up your positions on the bike were originally intended to work. It's just that over the many years, people have started to think of them as gospel.

For many they probably do work first time, but do you know that you are identical to those that it does work for?

Flip Flop Rider

adjust your set up

delbiker1 

I would see a professional if I was having that kind of pain. Shattering knee feeling sounds serious. I am just guessing now, but, it seems to me like something is wrong in your set up. The standard methods of set up do not work for everybody. I have found that small changes of one thing at a time, and keep a record of it, works better for me. It can take some time to find " the set up" for you. I think a visit to the doctor first might be best.

coffeesnob

If you just started riding give it some time and it may go away

genejockey 

I'd say that's true for muscle aches and pains, but joint pain, especially described as "shattering", seems more likely to get worse.

Iride01 

If you find pedaling anything but easy, then you are in the wrong gear or don't have the correct gearing for your bike.

If you've been pedaling hard gears at a very slow cadence, then stop doing that. If your bike won't shift into every gear combination, then get that fixed.

Road Fan

“What’s wrong with your riding” is that it is causing you pain, plain and simple.

Yes, Heel to Pedal is commonly used, but any place you start is only a place to start. You could have leg or muscle asymmetry, incorrect cleat setup, big feet or small feet which put you outside the norm, or ….. I’m not a fitter, PT, or MD so I won’t even bother to brainstorm any further.

When I have significant discomfort, I stop riding for a few days and see if the painful areas improve. This may actually be useless, but at least I’m reducing the chance of actual injury as well as generating a little information. Generally I think one should not force one’s joints and ligaments, to make them tolerate discomfort. Discomfort is a sign of a problem, not of weakness. Remember, you want those same knees to propel you for dozens more years.

There are some of us here who know a little more about finding improved settings. But if you have pain which you find disturbing, you need to deal competently with that before seeing fitters, cleat setter-uppers, shoe salesmen, saddle makers, or internet experts.

rydabent

Yes by all means see a doctor and at least get an x-ray. Unfortunately you may be running almost bone on bone.

Rdmonster69

As spmeone who has legit shattered their knee ...... you are probably just sore !! Get a shops opinion on your set up. Do you have pain and swelling off the bike ? If not thats a good sign.

wolfchild

Clipless pedals have killed and destroyed more knees than anything else...Throw your clipless pedals in the garbage and start using platform pedals...I've been using platform pedals for the last 15 years and never had any knee problems..

drlogik 

That's called getting older and wear and tear on your body. Go see an ortho hip and knee specialist doctor.

Welcome to the club, Growing old isn't for sissies.

You might consider switching to SPD mountain bike pedals and cleats for your bike(s) (yes even road bikes).. They allow a LOT more float. I converted all my bikes to those in the last 5 years. Worked wonders on my knees. Wish they had those 30 years ago.......

Lazyass

This. My saddle is over an inch lower than what it's "supposed" to be.

If you have pain on the front of your knee it's a sign the saddle may be too low. If it's the back of the knee it may be the saddle is too high.

shelbyfv

davidjaxson

I agree that you should see a physician as the first step.

For your bike setup consider have a bike shop with an experienced fitter do the job. I had it done on both of my bike and it made a world of difference.

Best,

Phil_gretz

Why all the mention of clipless pedals? The OP didn't say anything about his pedal type.

Maelochs

I have been useless clipless for that long without knee pain.

If the guy is feeling Very great pain in his joints or ligaments, Not in the muscles around the knee, then either his set-up is Way off and he has hurt himself by refusing to listen to his knees .... or he has knee issues which he is making much worse in a hurry.

Seriously, read what he said: I don't know what "creaking on both knees" feels like but i cannot imagine any instance in which it would be a good thing. And he is feeling that off the bike.

​​​​​​​Not at all sure what he means by "I place my left knee on the floor while stopping and starting." That is a real mystery to me. Does he remove his knee first?

Milton Keynes

My elderly mother often says to me "Don't get old." I told her that getting old was better than the alternative.

70sSanO

You’re right. The OP only has one post. Others respond with guesses waiting to get a response from the OP that never comes. This thread is approaching troll territory.

We’ll keep talking among ourselves for a while. But who knows, one day the OP may actually start to ride, have knee pain and scramble to find this thread… lol!

John