Knees... advice appreciated

Hi all...
so lately I have been feeling a bit of stress in my knees...I wouldn't call it pain as such, but they just feel stressed and slightly uncomfortable...I can still exercise fine, like I played basketball for 2 hours or so on Saturday, but when resting, I feel some mild discomfort...

I definitely need to change my gearing (presently 46x16) and will do so later this week (prolly to 46x18), so that will help, and I am taking a short break from riding this week, or at least for a few days...need to check my saddle height and cleat position on my spd's also...but is there anything else I should be doing to sort this problem out? Im a little worried by this development to be honest...

thanks and peace

Shift the saddle backwards a little on the wsaddle rails as it helps the extension of your leg. Generally play around with the set up to find the least stressful position.
Use a front brake, listen to your body. If it's in pain don't get on the bike that day.
Try wearing a knee warmer if possible as the cold really doesn't help.

If none of that works buy a proper hinged knee brace and ignore the pain like that fool Emily.

thanks man...will have a play around with my set up...I should get a front brake you are right, but am having a really nice Keirin bike built up at the moment so there will be a problem there...stupid as that is...
have been wearing a pair of Nike running tights this winter, so have had my knees covered, and they are nice and warm...
I think the main thing has been riding in too high a gear for too long...hopefully the damage won't be lasting...I love my knees...

http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=188_482&products_id=2128

no drilling needed

these might be helpful ( previous threads on knee problems )

http://www.londonfgss.com/discussion/1214/is-fixed-bad-for-your-knees-if-you-dont-skid-ride-high-gear/#Item_0
http://www.londonfgss.com/discussion/1476/2/knees/#Item_16
http://www.londonfgss.com/discussion/3947/a-right-pain-in-the-knee/#Item_4

The easier gearing will definitely help, as will the saddle re-arrangement.

Also, if you're getting the pain more in one knee than the other, then you're probably using that leg more or with a worse technique than the other, so aim to correct that.

I've found that joint supplements (pills, not smoking: clearly) together with a month or so of "easier" riding (no chasing sprinters, fast starts, skidding) together with good diet, lots of regular knee-exercise (rotations, stretching) and rest all work. Your body's warning you (as mine is now), so just listen to it and ease off it. I'm also brakeless, so I feel your pain. Pun (mostly) unintended.

I'm right there with you, I've got a sustained injury which I seem to be getting over (a bit anyways).
As Chris says, no drilling needed. Failing that consider swapping the forks out, at least until the knee gets a lot better.

And Chris, before you start ranting, this is a do as I say not as I do post so keep your spiteful hatefilled utterances to yourself regarding the health of my own knees. I know what I'm doing to myself and the inherent risks involved.

emile' massacism is for the bed room, not the bicycle..

thanks a lot for your replies and advice all...tis appreciated, feel a little more relaxed about it...will treat it well and hope for some positive results...will go over those previous threads also...

peace

@Frank, Good luck.
@ Chris, You have such a narrow perspective.

i started to get fierce pains in my knees. more one than the other, and i ride quite a hard gear. i just started to use my brake a lot more after i stopped riding all together for a week or 2 due to the amount of pain i was experiencing.

Got so fed up witht he tube i jumped back on but took it easy, and dont slow with my legs.

And i moved the saddle. and take cod liver oil at breakfast.

basicly what everyone else said -knee pain story

;]

Most peeps advise moving the seat back. I found that gave me back pain and I felt cramped up instead, it all depends on how low/forward your bars are too.

What helped me most was this:
Take chain off. With heel of shoes on pedals, pedal backwards. Do your hips rock side to side or can you keep them level?
Keep raising your saddle until you can no longer raise it without your hips rocking.
Then, with cranks horizontal, check your knee cap on the forward leg is vertically above the centre of your pedal spindle.

Although this works great for me, I don't think it gives you max power in the downstroke (quads), but it prevents me getting rubbing problems in my kneecap that I used to get when my leg was bent to a tighter angle.

This setup totally fixed my dodgy knees when using 175mm cranks. Since I changed to shorter cranks - 170mm - I have been able to lower the saddle a little. I guess my problem was all to do with the angle to which the knee bends over the full stroke.

My knees have also been suffering in the cold wind, but I went to Evans and got some knee warmers, which are on sale at the moment for 12 quid, and they have stopped any aching!

I also tried the above saddle tweakage etc.