Hapsmo911

I had a fitting done this week and went on a good ride yesterday. I had some pain at the top of the calf muscle, and behind the knee <not knee cap> on both legs. This was toward the end of the ride, continuing into mid day today. The fitting moved the seat up and forward. I'm thinking the pain is caused by the muscles being used differently now. Is it normal to have some pain after a fitting that changes seat position substantially? Should I give it a week for my muscles to settle in, or just move the saddle down a bit?

WHOOOSSHHH...

I think you hit it on the head. Give it a little time, but them fine tune your fit so that you're comfortable. This fit craze is OK for getting in the ballpark, but you'll know if it's right for you after a few rides..

Basil Moss

A friend of mine went for a bike fit after 20 years of racing. He'd never had any issues, but after the fit got terrible knee pain, backache and a sore bum. Went back to his original fit and has been happy ever after.

lazerzxr

Bike fits dont give you the "right" fit they just give a starting point. If its not comfortable and you suspect the seat is too high then it probably is. I'd drop it a mm or 2 and take it from there.

c.miller64

In my personal experience, muscle soreness is normal after saddle adjustments, but pain behind the knee isn't. For me, any pain behind the knee means the saddle is set too high.

Creatre

Yup, seat is too high. Same thing happened to me a few months back. I ended up just going back to my original settings, and all has been well since. It wasn't even that much higher than before, but apparently it was enough for my body to know what was up. Make sure to go easy or take a week off the bike, because the injury is an easy one to kind of linger around. I hated my life for like 3 weeks because that crap wouldn't go away. Good luck, hopefully you can ditch the injury and continue riding on!

MrTuner1970

I've had the same thing happen, on the first ride after slight position changes. I did not change back to the old position, and the pain disappeared after the second ride. It's probably rather normal to have muscle stress. Since it's not behind the kneecap, I wouldn't worry about unless it doesn't resolve after a few rides.

Hapsmo911

Thanks for all the replies. I think I will ride easy for a few days and stretch a bit more then normal, see if it gets better. If not I'll lower the seat. The pain went away mid day after calf stretches all day at my desk. This was my first real fit, and being a Retul fit I was thinking I shouldn't have to mess around too much with the position. Guess not. If I do lower the seat should I then move it back at the same time?

halfspeed

A good fit comes from a good fitter, not a "fit system". The Retul tools are quite good, but a three day fitting class isn't going to make a bike salesman an expert fitter no matter how good the tools are.

Ask your fitter what he thinks about the issue. Hopefully, you've got a good one.

Terex

Do you know how much higher your saddle is now than it was before? I raised my saddle a while back and after two rides, developed an injury that took months to heal. As with a couple of other posters, I'd lower the saddle a little bit and see if that helps. After a few rides, move it up a little. I'm talking 1/8 to 1/16th inch increments. Even a great fitter can't predict how your body will react.

roadiejorge 

+1

The fitter's experience is more important than the system he uses so always listen to your body if you feel any bad pain after a fit.

Danielle

Bike fits are garbage unless your position is way off to begin with. I was fit and all of my problems started after the fit. I went back to my initial fit beforehand and all is well.

Hapsmo911

I think it was moved up about 3cm. I lowered it and rode 20 miles after work tonight. Feels much better. The calf pain seemed liked sore muscle, its the back of the knee that had me more worried. I had none of that this ride. I will slowly move the seat up as I think I may have lowered it just a tad too far.

I hear what everyone is saying about the fit/fitter. I thought this was going to be a magical fit where science was going to put me on the bike perfectly, or close to it. When really it only gets you so close then it is up to you and your fitter to fine tune the fit from where the computer leaves off. I just started to ride again this year so I am a noob at most of this stuff. I am learning a lot. I think I am going to reach some of my fitness goals, then think about a refit with another shop closer to my house later this summer. Glad I didnt pay for this fitting as I think it cost close to 300 at full price.

c.miller64

If you're going to attempt to adjust the saddle yourself, don't move it up more than 1/4 inch/ .5 cm at a time. Once you feel pain behind the knee bring it back to the prior position and you'll probably be fine.