Unhappy legs seek suggestions

[colinr]

Dear CycleChat, my road bike has started killing my hamstrings. Symptoms:

• Kicks in very early into a ride, about 10-15 minutes.
• Goes away about 30-40 minutes after that (not just me getting used to it, it completely vanishes)
• Dropping pace / spinning more / grinding more doesn't seem to make much difference
• Pain is only in right leg and runs the entire way down the back, though mostly feel it in the top half

I only get it on my road bike, took the fixed out for 100 the other week and no unusual pains at all so I think it's probably a setup thing as they're quite different rides. Any suggestions as to what I should be altering in which direction?

 

[pepecat]

Before everyone else says it.... raise your saddle!

Seems to be the default answer for most set up problems......... and worked for me!


And back in the real world... pass. I have no idea. Are you clipless on both bikes - if not, could it be a cleat rotation thing?

 

[colinr]

SPD-SL (with float) on road, SPD on fixed. Could possibly be cleats but the pain is relatively recent, cleats have been as they are for a long time.

I lowered to saddle to stop back pain. Hmm, lesser evils?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

SPD-SL (with float) on road, SPD on fixed. Could possibly be cleats but the pain is relatively recent, cleats have been as they are for a long time.

I lowered to saddle to stop back pain. Hmm, lesser evils?

Raise saddle and use a shorter stem?

 

[Banjo]

If bike set up is ok maybe your just not stretching enough before and after cycling. I have a stretching session daily even if I havent been on the bike.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

If bike set up is ok maybe your just not stretching enough before and after cycling. I have a stretching session daily even if I havent been on the bike.

Interesting. The new school of thought seems to be that stretching before exercise is bad. I was brought up on the idea it was good. Give it another 30 years and it will be good again

 

[colinr]

Unfortunately I don't have a stem I can try, bars are a strange size. Probably changing them to oversize though, will try a shorter stem with them.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Unfortunately I don't have a stem I can try, bars are a strange size. Probably changing them to oversize though, will try a shorter stem with them.

There is no promise it will work. It is just a thought.

 

[postman]

The old saddle height problem .Once you find it do not change it .Two weeks ago i thought my saddle was slipping.So like a fool i upped it one inch.Well after the next ride only a 40 miler.I thought someone had taken a fork to my thighs and shredded them.Luckily i had a bit of tape around the seatpost.So back up it went.Legs ok but tonight after a 46 windy ride i have a pain right in the middle of my back .Take a tip.Do not alter when you find that right position .

 

[fossyant]

Get the tape measure out and find where the differences are. They should be set up very similar - if not, that's why you are having trouble.

 

[pepecat]

I've just gone clipless and had to raise the saddle cos the cleats give a bit extra thickness on the shoes that wasn't there before. It's weird how you immediately notice if the set up isn't right - i knew straight away that the saddle was too low when i went out for a clipless practice ride.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I've just gone clipless and had to raise the saddle cos the cleats give a bit extra thickness on the shoes that wasn't there before. It's weird how you immediately notice if the set up isn't right - i knew straight away that the saddle was too low when i went out for a clipless practice ride.

Have you joined the clipless club yet?

 

[Banjo]

I've just gone clipless and had to raise the saddle cos the cleats give a bit extra thickness on the shoes that wasn't there before. It's weird how you immediately notice if the set up isn't right - i knew straight away that the saddle was too low when i went out for a clipless practice ride.

I have 530 pedals that have clipless one side and flat on the other. When I use the flat side with trainers it feels like the saddle is way to high yet the cleats are only a feww millimeters thick.

I leave it set up for cleats as I never go far in trainers anyway.
I am convinced that if someone moved my seatpost up or down 2 mm I would know.

 

[colinr]

I've been making unscientific adjustments to the saddle position and height and seem to have outwitted the pain fairy. For now at least. Though I'm not convinced the setup is really any different to how it was pre-adjustment.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I've been making unscientific adjustments to the saddle position and height and seem to have outwitted the pain fairy. For now at least. Though I'm not convinced the setup is really any different to how it was pre-adjustment.

As my late Sensei used to say - If it works, use it.