New To Cycling, Using Cleats With Knee Problem?

[Cletus Van Damme]

I have just rediscovered cycling nearly a year ago and bought a second Marin Mill Valley hybrid off my mate at a bargain price. However I had to give it up as I had a major knee operation (high tibial osteotomy) in late March this year. My knee is much better but is still pretty stiff and numb and I really dislike steps. I am hoping that this is partially down to my muscles wastage, my big thigh muscle is really wasted away. My quads are much better due to exersises. I have just got back into cycling and am doing around 12 miles at the weekend mainly on the flat. I need to do more so I am going to start partially commuting to work, taking the car and parking up around 5 miles away from work and cycling mainly on the flat. I was thinking of trying cycling shoes and cleats to possibly maximise my efficiency, and also I would like to use overshoes as my feet are like blocks of ice in this weather. I guess these may be ok just using them with the cheapo double sided resin pedals that I put on the bike, even if they chew the bottoms up. It is just that I read somewhere that badly adjusted cleats can be bad for your knees, which is the last thing I need. Has anybody any opinions on this please?

 

[alecstilleyedye]

hi chesney, and welcome to cc.

don't worry about your knees with cleats. old school ones did indeed need to be set up perfectly or be ruinous to your knees, but most modern types (especially at the sensible end of the market) allow the cleats to 'float' by up to 10° each way, which saves your knees from twisting.

 

[aberal]

It's impossible to say really whether the cleats will cause you problems or not. You'll simply have to try it and see. What you can do is make sure that the cleats are set up properly and that your saddle etc is set at the correct height as well - get you LBS to check it for you when you buy the cleats and shoes - they should be willing to help you with that. You can also check whether your feet "splay" one way or the other by sitting on the edge of a table, relax and let your legs dangle. Check whether your feet hang at an angle or not (my right foot splays out to the right for example) and set your cleats up to reflect the splay, if any. Either way, I'd suggest that the physical and health benefits of cycling are likely to benefit you and might possibly even help your knees - keep it up.

On another topic, overshoes are pretty good at keeping your feet dry and the wind chill off, but try also good thermal socks, even ski socks or two pairs normal cycling socks to keep your feet warm.

Oh, and welcome to CC.

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

Thanks for the advice guys really appreciated. The bike shop is a good one, as hopefully they should know what they are doing. Yeah I also need to buy some decent socks too lol. The consultant whom performed the op did say that cycling was a really good thing to get into as it is non imapact I guess. I also really enjoy it and find the alternatives, which is probably a gym or an exersise bike very dull to say the least

 

[snorri]

Has anybody any opinions on this please?

I would ask why you feel you need the cleats? Your journey is not long and it would appear you are not pressed for time, ie performance is not important.
Ordinary pedals would give you greater freedom of choice regarding footwear, any shoe you find warm and comfortable for walking in could be worn for cycling. There is also the freedom to re-position your feet on the pedals if you feel any foot or leg discomfort.

 

[Tynan]

I'd guess that correct cleats are good for knees by keeping your leg in the correct and same line

My knees used to be a bit suspect but cycling in the last few years has really sorted tham out, loosing weight will have helped too I suppose

Op might be upping the mileage if they get on with it

 

[aberal]

Thanks for the advice guys really appreciated. The bike shop is a good one, as hopefully they should know what they are doing. Yeah I also need to buy some decent socks too lol. The consultant whom performed the op did say that cycling was a really good thing to get into as it is non imapact I guess. I also really enjoy it and find the alternatives, which is probably a gym or an exersise bike very dull to say the least

I picked up a magazine today in WH Smith "Cycling Fitness" which has some good articles and one article about looking after your legs, which might be worth a read.

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

Thanks for the useful replies again. Cheers aberal will get a copy of that mag. I agree cleats are maybe not really needed, but I do intend upping my distance slowly, hopefully to the full 12 miles (each way) that includes some hills. I am just using an old pair of Salomon walking trainers with a pair of normal socks and one pair of walking socks. I used the bike this morning for the first time and my feet were just starting to chill a little, but it was pretty mild. Having said the walking socks were cheap so I need to buy something better. I have to say I enjoyed it and it makes you feel a lot more awake than coming the car, coming in the car I just feel half asleep for ages lol. Still I have yet to commute in the crap weather though

 

[snailracer]

Toe cups might be worth a try. Zefal MT45, £7 a pair.

 

[accountantpete]

I'd keep the normal pedals until you gain confidence. Make sure that the seat is not too low as this puts pressure on the knee and try using a lower gear than you would normally and see how the knee gets on.

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

Them toe cups look like a great idea, when I first had got the bike it had those cage things on and I hated them. I had to get rid of them when I first started cycling small distances after the op, they were to much hassle with the restricted movement that I had at the time. I just got some double sided cheapo resin pedals as they were the least hassle following the op. I believe that my seat is adjusted correctly, well from what my physio advised me anyhow

 

[Russell Allen]

I would go for a pair of SPD mtb or touring shoes with the pedals set quite loose. Road shoes and cleats - SPDSL LOOK etc (even the ones with float) tend to be worse for aggravating knee injuries than SPD mtb cleats in my experience, they need to be set up very carefully to avoid probems. MTB shoes have the advantage that can walk around in them at your desination and they just look like trainers.......

Just my opinion based on personal experience

Regards

Russell Allen

 

[aberal]

Them toe cups look like a great idea, when I first had got the bike it had those cage things on and I hated them.

They are maybe not a bad idea to start with. At least if your knee get worse, then you can blame the cycling and not the pedal!!

Best to bear in mind though that SPD type pedals are streets ahead of any other type of pedal when it comes to your peddling performance. They're conceivably the biggest advance in cycling technology in 20-30 years and there have been a lot of other advances in the last 20-30 years.

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

Thanks more great advice, much appreciated

 

[sheddy]

Aug 2010 Cycling Plus had a good pedal review with details of float angle. See if your library still has a copy