Knee pain on indoor trainer only

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ksavostin
Posts: 51
Joined: Wed Aug 21, 2019 6:12 am

by ksavostin

Hello. So here is my problem. I can ride with no issue outdoor for hours, but as soon as I ride the same bike on my trainer a few days later my knee starts to hurt. I can't describe the pain location, somewhere inside. I tried elite direto and tacx neo2. I did bikefit, the fitter didn't find any weird movements of my knee or anything which can be related to the pain.
Has anyone with similar issue tried rocker plate? I would buy something like Saris mp1 or similar if it can solve the issue.
Worst case scenario - I will buy fat tire bike and will do my training on the snow in the winter (I am from Alaska).

nowtaps
Posts: 35
Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2021 4:05 am

by nowtaps

Why not try a roller trainer? It's a cheaper solution and they're pretty easy to learn

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eeney
Posts: 88
Joined: Sun Apr 30, 2017 10:09 am

by eeney

I think indoor trainers bring out issues that you don't experience outside because of the stationary and repetitive position. I ride mainly indoors now and struggle with knees, feet, etc. Which I didn't when I rode mostly outdoors.

A lot of people like rocker plates, gives much more movement and variation which can be more comfortable. May be worth a try if you can borrow/rent one. I made one cheap and used it for some time. As I say, some people love them for indoor riding. I've been told rockers with fore/aft movement are better for sprint power, but never tried on (expensive for my cheapo budget)

mcfarton
Posts: 194
Joined: Thu Mar 15, 2018 5:15 pm

by mcfarton

Have you considered cross training? Running, rowing, yoga, weightlifting, or anything else? You don’t have to cycle year round.

Maybe you should get a different bike fitter. Have you ever had your cleats fit? I don’t understand when people say inside is different than outside. It’s the same bike it should be the same power and fit. Maybe the fresh air keeps you from noticing the little things.


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bikewithnoname
Posts: 1733
Joined: Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:29 pm
Location: Paris

by bikewithnoname

The difference inside is that you are in one postion almost all the time, you only stand on the big efforts, and you don't let the pressure off the pedals for the full session (unless you're supertucking down Alpe du Zwift).

If you have pedals that let you adjust float I'd try that as a first step. Secondly I'd suggest a small drop in the saddle height, around 5-7mm and see if that makes a difference a little less knee angle might help.

Oh and stretch, stretch and strech some more. Ankle, calf, thighs, hip flexor
"We live in an age when unnecessary things are our only necessities." Oscar Wilde

TobinHatesYou
Posts: 12456
Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2017 12:02 pm

by TobinHatesYou

bikewithnoname wrote:
Fri Jul 30, 2021 12:57 pm
The difference inside is that you are in one postion almost all the time, you only stand on the big efforts, and you don't let the pressure off the pedals for the full session (unless you're supertucking down Alpe du Zwift).

Heh... I stand more indoors than I do outdoors because my sitbones need relief more often indoors.

bikewithnoname
Posts: 1733
Joined: Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:29 pm
Location: Paris

by bikewithnoname

Yeah, your sit bones hurt because you've got constant pressure on the pedals so naturally the pressure builds up faster.

The question is; if you have to stand does that mean your fit needs tweaking or a new saddle so you can stay seated for longer?

The answer will depend on whether you spend more time on the trainer than the road I guess
"We live in an age when unnecessary things are our only necessities." Oscar Wilde

TriJoeri
Posts: 79
Joined: Thu Sep 12, 2019 7:28 am

by TriJoeri

ksavostin wrote:
Fri Jul 30, 2021 6:06 am
Hello. So here is my problem. I can ride with no issue outdoor for hours, but as soon as I ride the same bike on my trainer a few days later my knee starts to hurt. I can't describe the pain location, somewhere inside. I tried elite direto and tacx neo2. I did bikefit, the fitter didn't find any weird movements of my knee or anything which can be related to the pain.
Has anyone with similar issue tried rocker plate? I would buy something like Saris mp1 or similar if it can solve the issue.
Worst case scenario - I will buy fat tire bike and will do my training on the snow in the winter (I am from Alaska).
I've had this as of 2 months ago.. Previously I could happily ride for up to 5.5h indoors with only slight discomfort in the nether regions after a few hours.
Lately I've been getting a pain on the inside of my left knee which seems to be similar to the one when your cleats are setup wrong, but mine haven't changed and neither has the bike fit on my road or TT bike in the last 2 years. Switching between my road shoes with grey Keo cleates and tri shoes with red Keo cleats also doesn't make much of a difference.. After about an hour I start to feel discomfort which continues to get worse and worse if I continue to ride.
As soon as I take the bike outside, that's gone..

sychen
Posts: 1473
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2014 1:06 pm

by sychen

I know when my quads get tight it pulls my knee out of alignment causing some pain.

Indoor training tends to cause this to build up faster due to static positions.

I use a roller or hockey ball to dig in and release the muscles.

If you have a percussive massager.. Even better.

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iheartbianchi
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by iheartbianchi

When you're outside you're rocking the bike below you. When you're indoor the bike is stationary, so a precise fit is even more critical.
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ksavostin
Posts: 51
Joined: Wed Aug 21, 2019 6:12 am

by ksavostin

iheartbianchi wrote:
Tue Aug 03, 2021 6:44 am
When you're outside you're rocking the bike below you. When you're indoor the bike is stationary, so a precise fit is even more critical.
Will rocker platform such as Saris MP1 partially solve this problem? I am not expecting that it will give me the same feel as on a road, but it gives some extra movement, thus I will be less stationary.

iheartbianchi
Posts: 680
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by iheartbianchi

ksavostin wrote:
Fri Aug 06, 2021 5:58 am
iheartbianchi wrote:
Tue Aug 03, 2021 6:44 am
When you're outside you're rocking the bike below you. When you're indoor the bike is stationary, so a precise fit is even more critical.
Will rocker platform such as Saris MP1 partially solve this problem? I am not expecting that it will give me the same feel as on a road, but it gives some extra movement, thus I will be less stationary.
Yes it will help. Think of it similar to adding more "float" to your pedals - the more your bike can move underneath you, it will let your legs/joints move around a bit more to adjust to a rocking bike which can mitigate any imbalances.
Bianchi Oltre XR4
Celeste Matte
Campy SR 11spd mechanical
Bora Ultra 50 tubs
Viseon 5D / stock bits and parts

Bianchi Specialissima Pantani Edition
Campy R 12spd mechanical
Fulcrum Racing Speed 35 tubs
FSA / Deda bits and parts

ksavostin
Posts: 51
Joined: Wed Aug 21, 2019 6:12 am

by ksavostin

Got a decent deal from local bicycle shop, bought saris mp1 display unit fior $500. Going to test my knee for a week, also I think to change Elite Direto to Tacx Neo 2T since neo has more flex than direto, perhaps it will help.

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jekyll man
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by jekyll man

It's probably that you're having to push more through the pedal stroke due to the turbos inertia being quite a bit different than on the road.
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txomin
Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2018 3:14 pm

by txomin

Try MTB pedals and shoes first, free rotation is great indoors, I have a rocker plate and helps of course, but it's very expensive, I use tacx neo

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