Cycling Does Not Have To Hurt Your Knees

This point is often overlooked even by experienced cyclists.

The muscle strength available to you from your quads (the muscle on the top of your thigh) is very powerful. It can easily overwhelm and stress the components in your knees. Your knees are made for running and walking, not pedaling a bike.

During pedaling, the knee transmits power down your leg, through your ankle and foot to the pedal. This rotating movement of the pedal, with a lot of help from the gearing (click here for info on why cycles have gears) moves you and your bike down the road.

Try this next time you ride. Find a nice flat area like a shopping mall parking lot or level street. Shift gears until you are pedaling very slowly in a high gear. Now shift gears until you are spinning your pedals very, very fast while maintaining the same forward speed.

Now shift back to the slower pedal speed. Don’t change your forward speed. Feel the different stress/pressure on your knees. This stress at slower pedal speeds is why your knees hurt when you are riding.

Always spin the pedals rapidly. A cadence if 80-110 rpms will be easier on your knees and your legs. Remember, cycling does not have to hurt your knees!

Happy spinning.

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