After riding my unicycle for one hour, both my knees hurt a little. But if
us my mountain bike for one hour, my knees do not hurt.
Anybody have the same problem as me? And if so, how did you deal with
the problem?
Is there a web site that shows how to excerise the leg so that the
knees won’t be hurt during unicycle ride?
Are both seats at the same height? I had a lot of knee pain before I
raised the seat.
“book reader” <br@no.mail.com> wrote in message
news:aLwF7.5382$qb.396290@typhoon.austin.rr.com…
> After riding my unicycle for one hour, both my knees hurt a little. But
if
> us my mountain bike for one hour, my knees do not hurt.
>
> 1) Anybody have the same problem as me? And if so, how did you deal with
> the problem?
>
> 2) Is there a web site that shows how to excerise the leg so that the
knees
> won’t be hurt during unicycle ride?
The seat height is an important issue. Also, remember that you can coast on a mountain bike and you can use your brakes instead of your knees when going down hills and to stop. On the uni, you’re using your legs all of the time and sometimes in a manner completely different than riding on a freewheeling cycle.
After reading your post, I compared them both, and they have about the
same seat height. I cannot but help wonder if it’s my knees are sticking
outwards or sticking inwards or something. Or I wonder if the 24 inch
(unicycle) has something to do with it, since the wheel diameter is larger
on a mountain bicycle. Maybe the larger diameter reduces knee stress? I
don’t know. Next week, I will have to examine the position of my knees
during my unicycle ride.
: Are both seats at the same height? I had a lot of knee pain before I
raised
: the seat.
Okay. You have a good point about the coasting issue on a mountain bike,
which is something I do. I can’t remember exactly how often I coast,
though. I sort of know one person at work who’s knee would be hurt during
running, but the knee pain went away when she began doing some exercise
before her daily run. I just hope the knee pain goes away for me. I’m not
overweight (140 lbs), but I’m about 31. It just stinks the big one that I
may have to give up unicycling because of the damn knee pain. Also, I
guess I should note that I am novice. Last week, I finally learned how to
ride a unicycle for a long time without falling down once. woohoooo!! I
wonder if this is a common problem with novices?
“harper” <forum.member@unicyclist.com> wrote in message
: The seat height is an important issue. Also, remember that you can coast
: on a mountain bike and you can use your brakes instead of your knees
: when going down hills and to stop. On the uni, you’re using your legs
: all of the time and sometimes in a manner completely different than
: riding on a freewheeling cycle.
Greetings
In message “both knee hurts”, book reader wrote…
>After riding my unicycle for one hour, both my knees hurt a little. But
>if us my mountain bike for one hour, my knees do not hurt.
Are you sure that your seat is not too low? This could certainly lead to
knee pain.
>1) Anybody have the same problem as me? And if so, how did you deal with
> the problem?
>
>2) Is there a web site that shows how to excerise the leg so that the
> knees won’t be hurt during unicycle ride?
>
>
>__________________________________________________________________-
>_________
>rec.sport.unicycling mailing list -
>www.unicycling.org/mailman/listinfo/rsu
>
Regards, Jack Halpern President, The CJK Dictionary Institute, Inc.
http://www.cjk.org Phone: +81-48-473-3508
You said before that you ride for an hour and have “a little pain” in both knees and that you are not overweight but are 31. I’m 49 and have alot of pain in one knee all of the time and enough in the other that bending them to pick something up is something I consciously avoid. I have to do a step-over side mount with my weak foot on the pedal because it won’t bend enough to clear the seat.
Give up unicycling? I don’t think so.
There is a suttle adjustment that your bodey needs to undergo before the knee pain subsides.
I too ride a bicyle all of the time. Much more so than my uni. If I havent unicyled for a while, i always have need pain when starting back up. Allthough I dont know this for a fact, I bet the same thing would happen vise versa. If all you rode was a uni, then started to cyle, your knees would probobly hurt. Even though the seat height is the same, there is enough difference between the two that without specfic training your knees will feel it.
Also, dont forget that when mountain biking you have acess to handle bars wich takes a lot of presssure off of your knees. If you pay attetion, you will find yourself using the bars as leverage all of the time, particularly on hills.
Unicyles will soon have handle bars. Its all part of the evolutionary process that we have all talked about
Dan
[QUOTE]
Originally posted by dan
[B] Allthough I dont know this for a fact, I bet the same thing would happen vise versa. If all you rode was a uni, then started to cyle, your knees would probobly hurt.
i mainly ride my uni, when i convert back to my bike, i don’t get any pain at all, i am young though 17, i do get a bit freaked out by how fast i am able to go, and the fact that i can’t eat and cycle anymore.
tim
i worship jesus
yeah me knees get sore if me unicycle for too long ven thuogh ive been riding (constantly) for 2 years. i can manage to just ignor it but.
ive tried to do excersises or stretchs but none work for me
> Also, I guess I should note that I am novice. Last week, I finally
> learned how to ride a unicycle for a long time without falling down
> once. woohoooo!! I wonder if this is a common problem with novices?
Yes it is. I’m surprised nobody asked this yet. Even I remember sore
knees when learning to ride back in '79. Not exactly my knees, but the
bottom part of my quad muscles were always sore, until they got used to
the extra work.
Stay on top, John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone jfoss@unicycling.com
www.unicycling.com
“If it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would get done.” - Kevin
“Gilby” Gilbertson
> I too ride a bicyle all of the time. Much more so than my uni. If I
> havent unicyled for a while, i always have need pain when starting back
> up. Allthough I dont know this for a fact, I bet the same thing would
> happen vise versa.
Actually I get a sore butt. No, not from the seat, but sore gluteus
maximi. Since I don’t ride bicycles much, those muscles are less used to
it. I imagine my knees could go all day on a bike without a problem, as
the bike doesn’t require as much from them. The only difference to me in
the knee area is that my bikes have longer cranks than my unicycles. But I
pedal slower, and coast whenever I can (why not? It’s too easy not to!).
John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone jfoss@unicycling.com www.unicycling.com
“If it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would get done.” - Kevin
“Gilby” Gilbertson
book reader wrote:
>
> After riding my unicycle for one hour, both my knees hurt a little. But
> if us my mountain bike for one hour, my knees do not hurt.
>
> 1) Anybody have the same problem as me? And if so, how did you deal with
> the problem?
>
> 2) Is there a web site that shows how to excerise the leg so that the
> knees won’t be hurt during unicycle ride?
Have you tried a suppliment like Osteo-Biflex? I mention that one because
it is the product most known.
The important ingredients are Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate and
Hydrolysed Collagen Protein which is I believe gelatin.
We have to remember that there are rubbing surfaces in our joints that
need constant supplementation. We don’t normally think too much about it,
counting on our normal diet to do the job. But our normal diet may not be
naturally balanced enough and so added supplementation may be appropriate.
Check it out for yourself. It seems to help me with other joint problems.
I now eat more Jello as well.
“Be Bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.” -Basil King (Anyone who
can give me more info on THIS Basil King please email
me.)
My short story at: http://www.rosedog.com/manuscript.asp?m=9389256&manusc-
ript=6862016&t=The+Determination+of+Jeffery&fn=Christopher&ln=Grove&srdt=-
9%2F27%2F01+5%3A32%3A05+AM&fs=2&ff=Arial%2C+Helvetica%2C+Verdana&ps=4000&-
s=735143750&folder=Search+Results
Greetings
In message “Re: both knee hurts”, book reader wrote…
>
>“Jack Halpern” <jack@kanji.org> wrote in message : Are you sure that
>your seat is not too low? This could certainly lead to
>: knee pain.
>
>
>Based on the way you emphasized your words, I went back to my garage to
>double check. I suppose I could lift the seat up higher. I think I
>lifted it about 3 inches. Now, my knees are “barely” bent at the 6 o’
>clock angle of the pedals. Before posting, I did earnestly regard my
>knees as being a little bent. I feel very TALL on that seat! lol. But
>now that I lifted the seat, I see a new meaning of “barely bent knees”.
>I will give my knees a rest for two weeks. Then on Sunday (probably Nov.
>18), I’ll give the new seat height a test. If there is an improvement,
>I’ll try post it Tuesday night or so (hope I remember to do that). The
>knee pain usually start slow, then the next day the pain ramps up, so
>that is why I would rather post on
From my personal experience and those of others, a low seat could be a
source of severe knee pain. When I started unicycling in Japan some 22
years ago, I did not have a high enough seat post and I ruined me knees to
the point where I could not ride for several weeks.
Below is a quote from my book ANYONE CAN RIDE A UNICYCLE that explains how
to set the seat to the proper height (the actual book has pictures).
It is important to adjust the various parts of the unicycle. The most
important adjustment is saddle height. Mount the unicycle while holding on
to a support and place your heel on the pedal in the down position
(perpendicular to the ground). You should be able to reach the pedal in
this position without leaning your body or stretching your leg. That is,
your leg should be extended straight but without any strain. Next, put the
ball of your foot on the down pedal. In this position, your knee should be
slightly bent.
The “sllightly” is important. The degree will depend on the individual,
but going much beyond “slightly” (unless it is for MUNI and other rough
riding) will be uncomfortable and eventually cause pain. Perhaps Kris or
one of the MUNI experts can descrobe the “correct” height for muniing.
I would also check if your tire pressure is sufficient. The tire should be
quite hard. A low seat combined with low pressure make for very
uncomfotable riding. Again, for muniing somewhat lower pressure is no
dount desirable but that is not my department.
>Tue.
>
>Later.
>
>
>
>
>
>__________________________________________________________________-
>_________
>rec.sport.unicycling mailing list -
>www.unicycling.org/mailman/listinfo/rsu
>
Regards, Jack Halpern President, The CJK Dictionary Institute, Inc.
http://www.cjk.org Phone: +81-48-473-3508
Stay on top, Jack Halpern Executive Director for International Development
International Unicycling Federation, Inc. Website: http://www.kanji.org
Greetings
In message “Re: both knee hurts”, Klaas Bil wrote…
>If you could increase seat height by 3 inches and still have "barely
>bent" knees, then your seat was definitely too low to begin with. It
I agree absolutely. 3 inches is a LOT. It must be very uncomfortable to
ride that way, I find that having the seat even a few milimeters lower
than the “correct” position feels uncomfortable.
>may be too high now, though.
>
>What I heard as a good seat height is to have straight knees at the 6
>o’clock position if the arch of your feet is at the pedal. Normally the
>balls of your feet would be on the pedal which gives your legs that
>extra length so that they are slightly bent.
>
>Klaas Bil
>
>On Tue, 06 Nov 2001 21:25:33 GMT, “book reader” <br@no.mail.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>“Jack Halpern” <jack@kanji.org> wrote in message : Are you sure that
>>your seat is not too low? This could certainly lead to
>>: knee pain.
>>
>>
>>Based on the way you emphasized your words, I went back to my garage to
>>double check. I suppose I could lift the seat up higher. I think I
>>lifted it about 3 inches. Now, my knees are “barely” bent at the 6 o’
>>clock angle of the pedals. Before posting, I did earnestly regard my
>>knees as being a little bent. I feel very TALL on that seat! lol. But
>>now that I lifted the seat, I see a new meaning of “barely bent knees”.
>>I will give my knees a rest for two weeks. Then on Sunday (probably
>>Nov. 18), I’ll give the new seat height a test. If there is an
>>improvement, I’ll try post it Tuesday night or so (hope I remember to
>>do that). The knee pain usually start slow, then the next day the pain
>>ramps up, so that is why I would rather post on Tue.
>>
>>Later.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>–
>"To trigger/fool/saturate/overload Echelon, the following has been
>picked automagically from a database:" “ONI, revolt, terrorism”
>__________________________________________________________________-
>_________
>rec.sport.unicycling mailing list -
>www.unicycling.org/mailman/listinfo/rsu
>
Regards, Jack Halpern President, The CJK Dictionary Institute, Inc.
http://www.cjk.org Phone: +81-48-473-3508
“Christopher Grove” <c_r_grove@yahoo.com> wrote in message
: Have you tried a suppliment like Osteo-Biflex?
To be honest, no. I’m not quite ready to do that. I’m reluctant to takes
drugs, although it maybe better than nothing. I looked around trying to
find some web sites that would display knee exercise,
http://www.comgri.com/sport/ouch/knee3.html (knee exercise)
http://www.coloradohealthnet.org/CHNReports/knee_table.html
(Osteoarthritis of the Knee)
http://mickey3.tamu.edu/magazine/dangerous/Hero.htm (here is what to do
and not to do) Also,
http://mickey3.tamu.edu/magazine/dangerous/Wthigh.htm. There are a
misspelled words. They need to use a spell checker.
http://www.mednets.com/kneerehab.htm (Knee Injury Rehabilitation)
Well hopefully that will be start - something is better than nothing.
FWIW, I did find, however, an web site that shows how to exercise your
sprained ankle (off topic, I know).
http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/Handouts/anklesprain/anklesprain.html
One quote from a web site was this: Unless you’re a baseball catcher,
don’t do deep knee bends.
Hi
It is worth remembering that often knee (and indeed back) pain is not
going to go away whatever you do. As long as the doctor cant find anything
significant such as (but not limited too!) torn cartilage, ligament tears,
instability of the joint or arthritis, and as long as the pain is
bearable, sometimes just living with it is the key. Get it checked, and do
some quad and hamstring stretches (if you need some stretching advice I
will be happy to help)
Remember, what you are doing is against your bodies natural design, you
were designed to walk and jump and run. Not muck about on one wheel
falling over all the damn place like a loon, and your body will give you a
certain amount of grief for it. God knows mine does. You want some serious
knee pain try stiltwalking for a couple of hundred hours a year!
Hope this is helpful in a fatalistic sort of way.
David Straitjacket www.straitjacketcircus.co.uk
book reader <br@no.mail.com> wrote in message
news:ow0G7.36012$Wv.1045827@typhoon.austin.rr.com…
>
> “Christopher Grove” <c_r_grove@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> : Have you tried a suppliment like Osteo-Biflex?
>
> To be honest, no. I’m not quite ready to do that. I’m reluctant to takes
> drugs, although it maybe better than nothing. I looked around trying to
> find some web sites that would display knee exercise,
>
> 1. http://www.comgri.com/sport/ouch/knee3.html (knee exercise)
>
> 2. http://www.coloradohealthnet.org/CHNReports/knee_table.html
> (Osteoarthritis of the Knee)
>
> 3. http://mickey3.tamu.edu/magazine/dangerous/Hero.htm (here is what to
> do and not to do) Also,
http://mickey3.tamu.edu/magazine/dangerous/Wthigh.htm.
> There are a misspelled words. They need to use a spell checker.
>
> 4. http://www.mednets.com/kneerehab.htm (Knee Injury Rehabilitation)
>
> Well hopefully that will be start - something is better than nothing.
>
> FWIW, I did find, however, an web site that shows how to exercise your
> sprained ankle (off topic, I know).
> http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/Handouts/anklesprain/anklesprain.html
>
> One quote from a web site was this: Unless you’re a baseball catcher,
don’t
> do deep knee bends.
A periodic chiropractic adjustment keeps me from having to “just live with
it”. I don’t think that it’s normal to have to live with chronic pain even
if it is bearable.
-mg
“David Straitjacket” <straitjacketcircus@'DELETETHIS’totalise.co.uk> wrote
in message news:tuh7k123ai5b87@corp.supernews.com…
> Hi
>
> It is worth remembering that often knee (and indeed back) pain is not
going
> to go away whatever you do. As long as the doctor cant find anything
> significant such as (but not limited too!) torn cartilage, ligament
> tears, instability of the joint or arthritis, and as long as the pain is
bearable,
> sometimes just living with it is the key. Get it checked, and do
> some quad and hamstring stretches (if you need some stretching
> advice I will be
happy
> to help)
>
> Remember, what you are doing is against your bodies natural design, you
were
> designed to walk and jump and run. Not muck about on one wheel falling
over
> all the damn place like a loon, and your body will give you a certain
amount
> of grief for it. God knows mine does. You want some serious knee pain
> try stiltwalking for a couple of hundred hours a year!
>
> Hope this is helpful in a fatalistic sort of way.
>
> David Straitjacket www.straitjacketcircus.co.uk
>
>
>
>
> book reader <br@no.mail.com> wrote in message
> news:ow0G7.36012$Wv.1045827@typhoon.austin.rr.com…
> >
> > “Christopher Grove” <c_r_grove@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> > : Have you tried a suppliment like Osteo-Biflex?
> >
> > To be honest, no. I’m not quite ready to do that. I’m reluctant to
takes
> > drugs, although it maybe better than nothing. I looked around trying
to
> > find some web sites that would display knee exercise,
> >
> > 1. http://www.comgri.com/sport/ouch/knee3.html (knee exercise)
> >
> > 2. http://www.coloradohealthnet.org/CHNReports/knee_table.html
> > (Osteoarthritis of the Knee)
> >
> > 3. http://mickey3.tamu.edu/magazine/dangerous/Hero.htm (here is
> > what to
do
> > and not to do) Also,
> http://mickey3.tamu.edu/magazine/dangerous/Wthigh.htm.
> > There are a misspelled words. They need to use a spell checker.
> >
> > 4. http://www.mednets.com/kneerehab.htm (Knee Injury Rehabilitation)
> >
> > Well hopefully that will be start - something is better than nothing.
> >
> > FWIW, I did find, however, an web site that shows how to exercise your
> > sprained ankle (off topic, I know).
> > http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/Handouts/anklesprain/anklesprain.html
> >
> > One quote from a web site was this: Unless you’re a baseball catcher,
> don’t
> > do deep knee bends.
> >
>
book reader wrote:
>
> “Christopher Grove” <c_r_grove@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> : Have you tried a suppliment like Osteo-Biflex?
>
> To be honest, no. I’m not quite ready to do that. I’m reluctant to takes
> drugs, although it maybe better than nothing. I looked around trying to
> find some web sites that would display knee exercise,
>
> 1. http://www.comgri.com/sport/ouch/knee3.html (knee exercise)
>
> 2. http://www.coloradohealthnet.org/CHNReports/knee_table.html
> (Osteoarthritis of the Knee)
>
> 3. http://mickey3.tamu.edu/magazine/dangerous/Hero.htm (here is what to
> do and not to do) Also,
> http://mickey3.tamu.edu/magazine/dangerous/Wthigh.htm. There are a
> misspelled words. They need to use a spell checker.
>
> 4. http://www.mednets.com/kneerehab.htm (Knee Injury Rehabilitation)
>
> Well hopefully that will be start - something is better than nothing.
>
> FWIW, I did find, however, an web site that shows how to exercise your
> sprained ankle (off topic, I know).
> http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/Handouts/anklesprain/anklesprain.html
>
> One quote from a web site was this: Unless you’re a baseball catcher,
> don’t do deep knee bends.
No, not drugs, nutritional supplements.
“Be Bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.” -Basil King (Anyone who
can give me more info on THIS Basil King please email
me.)
My short story at: http://www.rosedog.com/manuscript.asp?m=9389256&manusc-
ript=6862016&t=The+Determination+of+Jeffery&fn=Christopher&ln=Grove&srdt=-
9%2F27%2F01+5%3A32%3A05+AM&fs=2&ff=Arial%2C+Helvetica%2C+Verdana&ps=4000&-
s=735143750&folder=Search+Results
Get this,
I have a different knee story, but still relates. I found my knees hurting after about an hour of on-off riding when learning. I was diagnosed with CondraPatela in 1980 and had to stop bicycle touring.
Over the years, I could not ride more than ten miles on my touring bike because the pain got pretty painful even after not riding for months.
After I started unicycling, I had pain usually that night, usually mild discomfort in both knees. By morning, the pain was usually gone. I thought because of the constant rotation on the uni the knees were forced to move and thereby needed to be controlled by the quads. Hence, I believe my muscles were strengthening around my knee. My knees feel stronger since I started Unicycling, though I still suffer from mild discomfort at times. I just avoid idling.
Go figure.
Crank length might be an issue. If you are learning, you are going to be moving around a lot on the seat. Lower your tire pressure to minimize the movement and last ditch resort might be to ditch the tire. That may be causing exagerated body movement when riding. The swaying to control, causes extra torque on the knees.
Good luck and hope you feel better!
