Knee problems - upgraded shoes?

[Jon George]

I have, in the last few weeks, adjusted the fro/aft and height of my saddle to no apparent ill effects, but with the desired improved handling I wanted. Just over a week ago, however, I upgraded my shoes from the Shimano MTB SPDs I've been wearing for years, with their slightly flexible sole, to a Shimano rigid sole pair. I've duplicated, as best I can, the cleat position, but I am experiencing a slight pain below both kneecaps on longish rides. Any suggestions?

 

[vickster]

Insoles? Do you need to adjust the saddle height at all to account for the difference in sole depth, shape, tread etc

 

[Jon George]

Insoles? Do you need to adjust the saddle height at all to account for the difference in sole depth, shape, tread etc

Good point - I'm sure I thought of this, but I'll double check.

 

[vickster]

IIRC a slight pain below the kneecaps could mean the seat is now a little high (I think pain above the knee can be correlated with a seat to low)...but certainly don't quote me!

 

[cyberknight]

Insoles? Do you need to adjust the saddle height at all to account for the difference in sole depth, shape, tread etc

IIRC a slight pain below the kneecaps could mean the seat is now a little high (I think pain above the knee can be correlated with a seat to low)...but certainly don't quote me!

As said its liable to be a combination of seat adjustment and difference in shoe thickness.

 

[KneesUp]

Could it be that the position is just a little wrong, and because you cannot move your foot it is a tiny bit wrong every revolution? I have to say that having knackered knees is one of the (many) reasons I stick with toe-clips - your foot is attached to the pedal, but no so much that you can't move it.

 

[KneesUp]

IIRC a slight pain below the kneecaps could mean the seat is now a little high (I think pain above the knee can be correlated with a seat to low)...but certainly don't quote me!

That fits for me. I have to take the seat post out of my bike to get it in the car, and I get pain above the knee within a few hundred yards if I line it up to the wrong scratch on the post

 

[Rob3rt]

Could it be that the position is just a little wrong, and because you cannot move your foot it is a tiny bit wrong every revolution? I have to say that having knackered knees is one of the (many) reasons I stick with toe-clips - your foot is attached to the pedal, but no so much that you can't move it.

The same as with clipless pedals, it's called 'float'.

 

[Jon George]

Thanks for the input people. I checked the saddle height - while wearing the new shoes - and it felt good to me. I did, however, also take another look at the positioning of the cleats. What I thought was practically identical to the positioning on the original pair turned out to be way out - it meant I was cycling with my toes, rather than the balls of feet. Tried it yesterday on a 25 miler and no ill effects. About to have another go, today, but I believe I cracked it. Cheers, again.

 

[Jon George]

Just back in from a repeat ride of yesterday - no problems.