PeteHski

Saddle too high/low, knee alignment issues, genetics, etc, etc, etc.

Germany_chris

He is on a Specialized so I think we know the answer to that

PeteHski

Does any troll thread stay on topic by page 27? Sorry, that was OT too.

PeteHski

I don't actually? Are you implying Specialized high-end bikes are crap?

wolfchild

I rotate between FG and SS and don't limit myself to one particular one. The gear ratio on my bikes is also quite low compared to what I see and hear other people using. I don't race or participate in any form of competition. I am 53 years old and so far never experienced any form of knee discomfort from cycling as yet. I just hope that. I can continue riding that way.

livedarklions

Would I be out of line to suggest that the original topic has been exhausted by this and another nearly identical thread, had degenerated into an insult-festival, and should be closed?

The nearly identical thread: actual cost to build a $14,000 bike

Germany_chris

It was tongue in cheek

genejockey 

EDITED:
Oh, okay. Let's get off our knees.

Maelochs

Sorry, conclusion not supported by facts in evidence.

You have no idea why your knees wore out, or if doing some other activity they would have worn out sooner or not ... or if riding a geared bike you would have had exactly the same issues ...

But here is the Real flaw in your "argument": It is HOW a tool is used, that determines the outcome.

if you didn't take care of your knees, that is on You, not the style of bike.

If you abused your knees by riding in such a away as to overload them, that is All You. Not the bike. You could have ridden more carefully, zig-zagged up hills, taken alternate routes, used a bike with two gears on a flippable hub .... or walked when the pressure on the knees go t too great. You chose not to. Now you suffer ... but you blame the bike.

That is like saying, "I cut my hand off with a knife so knives are bad."

Lots of people lift weights ... some into their 80s and beyond. Is weightlifting thus proven safe? But some folks hurt themselves lifting weights. Does this prove weightlifting is dangerous.

User error .... take responsibility. If you had listened when your knees complained, and adjusted your riding style, you might be enjoying pain-free SS or FG miles to this day.

Is it Easier to hurt yourself riding FG or SS? Depends. is it impossible to ride SS or FG for an entire lifetime without knee injury. of course.

Stop blaming the bike for the rider.

On a related note .... some people grind, and some others claim their knees will kneesplode. Not if they stay within their individual limits, though.

I cannot do an aerial or a backflip. If I did I would likely get really hurt, possibly crippled. Therefore, backflips and aerials are dangerous ... well, yes. Even a gymnast or dancer can get hurt (lots do.) People also get hurt typing on keyboards.

Blame everything. Ban everything.

Being alive inevitably leads to death, so obviously we need to stop life ... for the sake of safety.

Maelochs

Nope ... close but not right.

Exceeding personal limits has consequences.

There it is.

Nothing is inherently, inevitably damaging except intentional damage. if you are careful to stay within your capacities and abilities, nothing is inherently damaging. If @Livedarklion's knees like grinding, and mine don't ... well so what?

Low cadence and high load ... Nope. Just High Load. Cadence is not the issue, it is Load. The confusion is that when riding single speed or fixed, and climbing hills, low cadence and high load often go together .... but it isn't the cadence, it is the load. Try squatting 100 pounds once a day, and then try squatting 1000 pounds once a day. You likely won't benefit from the former, nor survive the latter ... you will be lying under the bar in your garage with a whole host of broken bones.

Load beyond what the system can bear is what causes system failure. Not the number of gears on the bike, nor even how fast they spin.

Hermes

Not at all, I think this thread has run its course - long ago. Quite frankly, I was waiting for someone to complain. I find it pretty boring at this point.

seypat

Probably a good time to close it.

genejockey 

So, if you want to reduce the load at a given speed, power, and incline, you can increase your cadence by using a lower gear.

Hermes

Thread closed.