Bary

Has anyone out there tried a product called knee savers? Whats your opinion if you have. I plan to get some. Thanks

pat5319

I don't know what knee savers are, but if their purpose is to keep your knees warm, BUY THEM!- and wear them whenever the air temperature is below 60 degrees or even 70 degrees when it's wet! Rule of thumb- If the air feels cool on your arms-cover your knees.
Your knees have very poor circulation and lose their "lubrication" when they get cold. Riding in cool weather with bare knees is a VERY common cause of tendonitis, just one ride can do it.

Chris L

Pat's advice is sound, however, I will add (as someone who used to have knee problems) that pushing a big gear too early in a ride can also cause problems. Generally, I force myself to ride a smaller gear for the first 1/2km of any ride that I do. Not warming up properly is the cause of many knee injuries.

Chris

Bary

Knee savers are a product that extends your peddles from the crank for people that suffer from outward pointing toe's.(That would be me!) Thanks for the other info however about keeping your knee's warm. It is starting to get cooler now here in S.Jersey. Later

Xavier

This product like any are simple gimmicks that may cause more harm than good. Consult a REAL doctor if you are suffering knee problems. Many things can cause this and it doesn't necesarily have to be the riding position. DO NOT believe everything you read. Especially online or in magazine ads. Again cunsult a REAL doctor if you are having problems with your knees.

Bottom line? Do not purchase this item simply because the ad claims it will make you better.

Bary

1st thanks X for the good advice, you are correct in your concerns about products that are out there. For me personally, this was a good investment! (Kneesavers) The thing that was doing more damgae to my knees was forcing them into a un-natural position. The extenders allow me to bring my heels in closer without hitting the cranks. This along with the controlable amount ot float on the Look peddles, cause much less knee strain after a ride. I checked with my Dr and he said that for me personally it was a good idea to keep me knees in it's usual positon.

Xavier

Another word on this matter.

I see Barry mention pointing toes. This should not be the case if the cleats are set up properly. Properly set cleats should not cause any normal problems.

I just see million of riders and professionals riding w/o this gimmick. Makes me think if the company says it is the best, why we are not all using it?

Just my 2 cents

nhorscro

Xavier,
You miss Bary's point. Some people stand (i.e. not on a bike) with their toes pointing out naturally (pigeoned toed?), it has nothing to do with cleat position. If you change the cleat position you are just putting much more strain on the knees. Like people with bow legs, cleat position will not stop their knees from pointing outward. I know one person who has to use this product, and if he doesn't use them his heels rub on his cranks.
I don't need the product but I don't think it is a gimmick. Either you need them or you don't. I don't need reading glasses but I don't think they are a gimmick.

roadbuzz

Bary,

If they work for you, cool. But I'm curious... these things save your knees by letting your feet point outward. My question is, where are your knees when you ride? Are your thighs roughly parallel with the top tube, and your knees pointing forward, or do your knees point outward (which would exacerbate the problem with feet pointing outward)? Riding with your knees pointing forward is generally more mechanically and aerodynamically efficient.

But everybody is different. Some people are more comfortable riding "bow-legged," and some people's knees are all over the place in the course of one pedal revolution. The important thing is that you're enjoying the ride (and keeping your knees warm).

Bob

Bary

Bob, Sorry for the long delay to your respond. I was having Comcast Cable installed for my connection and they ran into a few problems so I was off line there for a while. For someone that is bow legged like myself, the tendency (I'm no Dr) for me is that it causes my feet to point outward more than the norm ( out about a 45 dgree angle). The normal postioning on the cleat was forcing my feet into an un-natural position. In order to swing my heals out more to avoid my heals from hitting the crank, it was even worse. If your were to turn your feet in and walk, the pressure on your knees is what I was experincing with a normal setup. I took my bike dn to the local bike shop and they agreeded that my knees were in a better postion with the knee savers. It's like placing your feet directly under your knees (like you would do in a stream line postion). In a normal riding postion, my knees point out and to force them closer to the top tube, put's even more pressure on them. On the up stroke while peddling, my knees would swing out even more. It's really hard to explain! Before the knee savers, I was using mountain peddles because the peddles are away from the crank more. I hope this clears it up a bit and helps you get a better picture of what was going on. For those of you that have concerns about the bike shop that I went to, they are well known in our area among local racers and have a team of their own. They know their business! FYI I tried big meat inserts to strighten my feet and get my knees under me but I did not like them.

Glasspacker

I know this is an old thread but....

Pedal extenders are gaining popularity. I can't see Lightning (a reputable company which also makes them) wasting their time on a "gimmick".

SCOR (makes Kneesavers) has some titanium ones for those concerned about weight.