Knee pain using BikeErg

[kirkj]

Has anyone had problems with knee pain from the BikeErg? I don't have knee problems riding my hybrid bike outside on rides up to 2 hours. But using the BikeErg I irritate something on the left side of my left knee. It doesn't hurt while using the BikeErg, but bothers me afterward.

I'm using the lowest resistance and not riding for very long - maybe 20 minutes every other day, and this started happening after a couple weeks.

I'm 67 years old, 5'7".140#, and pretty fit for my age.

I searched for complaints like this on the BikeErg forum and didn't find any. I'm thinking I must have something set up wrong. Any ideas?

[Dave Neve]

Hello

As you have noted that it's only the BikeErg and with low resistance over a short time, while your hybrid bike is fine, maybe look at all the differences between the two bikes and your sitting position

For instance, are your pedal straps, the pedals themselves or a narrow saddle causing you to twist your knee, probably inwards more than it likes?

Or maybe the saddle is too high and you are pulling a bit too much on a ligament or tendon each time on the down stroke

But I'm not an expert. I'm just taking shots in the dark here

[Cyclist2]

Most indoor bikes are very different than riding outdoors. They are stationary and rigid, with no movement with your body, so the stresses on your joints will be very different.

As suggested, try different things - seat height, fore-aft seat position, bar position and height. You may find something that works, or maybe you'll just have to get used to riding a rigid bike.

[kirkj]

Thank you for the suggestions. I will try a few adjustments and let you know.

[audible83]

I'd look on the way your knees are when you bike and when you walk.

Previous surgeries to the knees ?

New shoes?
Do you strap in your shoes or are they loose on the pedal?

It might just be your meniscus getting old and thats where its worn first.

[gvcormac]

I helped my son build a rocker plate for his indoor bike trainer. The same thing would probably work for the BikeErg. It is a lot more comfortable when there's some bounce, side-to-side and fore-and-aft springiness. Not sure whether this would help the knee or not.

You might get some of the benefit by putting somethng squishy under each of the four feet of the Bike Erg. I've been meaning to try this, not for my knees, but to improve seat comfort.

[reuben]

I'm not familiar with the BikeErg, but issues like this are often due to setup - stack/reach, saddle (model, setback, angle, etc.), cleat orientation, pedal float, hand position(s), and so on. Basically, all of the contact points.

I'd go down that list and any others you can think of, making the BikeErg match your outdoor bike.

Something like a rocker plate as mentioned above is also possible. It can help duplicate the subtle changes in position that you make outdoors.

It can be hard to figure out, and it may be a combination of factors rather than a single one.

Good luck.