I will try and make this brief and I apologize if these questions have been answered before.

After about 5 years of riding bikes in the city, I finally made the switch to a fixed Bianchi Pista and I've been experiencing some weird pains and I'm wondering if any are common or will improve over time..

-Ankle pain: Besides cycling I also skate a lot and have done both for years but, since going fixed my ankle has been aching 24/7. The pain isn't really intense, just annoying. I just don't want to do any permanent damage. I am almost positive my seat height is fine, I use toe straps and the stock 48/16 gearing. Is this normal? Are my straps not tight enough? It is hard for me to get my feet in and out while riding any tighter. I kinda feel like maybe I'm doing too much work, especially pulling, with that same foot.

-Shin splints(?): I am not sure if that is what it is but, there is this constant shooting pain in my shin (same leg) anytime I am putting weight on it. Again, not that bad but, I'm just worried about long-term issues..

-Chest pain: While trying to learn to skid (I have a brake, just experimenting) I started getting crazy chest pains. I feel like I am fairly limber and healthy and have never gotten this any other way. Obviously, I don't have to skid but, it's fun sometimes.

Are any of these symptoms normal when starting fixed? I am fairly concerned because I already have some knee and lower back issues, not to mention my ankles are kinda ****ed from skateboarding..

I have kinda jumped right into it, going on extended rides right off the bat.. I am really hoping you will all tell me that all these symptoms are normal and I will gain strength in all of the affected areas.

Please?

Thanks.

Sounds like you need to stop being a pu**y. Haha.

I skateboard a lot and bicycling uses completely different muscles. I don't know about inline skating.

Best way to get rid of shin splints is to run backwards... you might feel stupid and look stupid, but believe me it works.

Fixed gear just works you, give your body some rest Like a week or two and you will feel better.

I feel every muscle in my body when I'm done riding... I always have ankle pain. My friend Tony says to work through the pain... works for me, but I ain't smart.

umm i wouldnt take that advice
best thing to do with shin splints is rest and lots of ice.
It may take a whole month before shin splints fully recover..

kogkrusher.. i dont think you had shinsplints if you cured them by running backwards.

Chest pain is generally regarded as a very bad thing and you should see a doctor.

Called out? You obviously know a lot about me, so please tell me some more.

Nope, I'm a nurse. I want you to not be sick.

There was no flaming here. If you don't want advice don't ask.

jetbike I'm sorry you are faster then me I was responding to prawza... the one who knows so much about me. Chest pain is weird though.

What time is it Australia? It's 5:20 AM in San Diego, California... I haven't slept yet... my shins hurt hahahhaha.

I popped a rib out of place and had chest pains but that wasnt really bike related. Is the pain constant or when you inhale or move your arms?

The best thing you can do when you start riding fg is NOT change your riding style. With the exception of not being able to coast, fg is just another bike.

Make sure your bike is set up just like your last one, and ride as usual (when you heal).

I've had shin splints for as long as I can remember, and my coaches have always told me to keep them warm by wearing knee heigh socks. So ice isn't the best idea.

If everything is happening on one side of your body you might have differently shaped feet, or one leg might be longer/shorter/stronger/weaker than the other. I'd say take it easy for a few weeks, ride for utitilty as you let your muscles build up and if the pain persists then see a doctor.

Ugh, people need to stop listening to bull**** remedies for shin splints.


Rest and Ice AFTER activity


Running backwards/Heel walks for strengthening/conditioning


Stretch w/ resistance bands for PT



Icing a muscular injury is almost NEVER a bad thing

yeah you ice shin splints when you rest.
heat is for warming them up, before you pride or whatever you do.
i wore a shin sleeve for my left leg when i played sports and it kept it warm but really didnt prevent pain.

i believe time is what heals them best. also, something about the uneven strength of your calf compared to your shin

It is/was constant but worse when I inhaled deeply. I think maybe I jerked forward to hard and pulled something? Like I said, I've never gotten chest pains from any kind of excercise or stretching.

Actually, I'm pretty sure my right leg (the injured one) is longer and stronger then my left due to an injury when I was only 3. I broke it (completely) and it healed crooked. I don't ever notice tho and I kinda forget about it..

: /

When I was a runner, we did calf raises to help with shin splints.

Have you checked the bike's fit? Sounds like things may be off, if you're just riding around town I don't personally feel you should be in so much pain. I had some aches & pains when starting to learn to skid, but nothing like what you describe. Seems like something ain't right with your Pista's fit, because if none of the other bikes are causing these pains then something is different about the Pista. The FG should have nothing (or very little) to do with it IMHO.

Steve

drinking more fluids should help with the shins... maybe the chest too!

no, it fits. if anything i have been riding bikes too big for me. it sounds like shin splints are normal.. i just think i need to get in better shape and use my left leg more. nobody has really said much about the ankle pain but, it probably has to do with using clips (i didn't before i switched to fg). the chest pains i think are just from doing it improperly. jerky. it is a little weird because it has such tight geometry. i don't know..

thanks for all the legitimate advice.

really? why?

back in high school when I ran xc I would drink water and that seemed to help... maybe it was just the act of stopping. I believe most shin splints are due to over working a part of the lower leg... everyone's body is different. But the main thing is if you have pain, don't ignore it!

Wow. That is interesting. I just started riding fixed within the last week and I haven't experienced any of those types of pain. I don't know if it is that ever body is different or what, but I don't think I would attribute any of these to biking. As a matter of fact, riding fixed had an antithetical affect on my knees: the popping and grinding actually stopped which is contrary to what most people's concerns were.

But, you should definitely check here:
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/pain.html

Oh, yeah, and I also started doing yoga. Just a few poses in the morning when I walk the dogs. I think it really makes a difference in reducing muscle/joint aches and pains. How many miles do you ride a week? I ride about 85. I don't think that's a lot compared to other riders on the board. But, I think it helps when you consider how many miles you're doing as it relates to your pain.