In a 20 year mtb history, I've only just started suffering with knee probs–but this is mostly likely due to excessive commuter mileage and my style of pushing the big gears. 😥

I'm really missing things (haven't ridden properly for a few months now) and am trying different things, although rest and time away from the repetitive movement probably will do me many favours.

Now doing short, light spins with easy gears, shorter cranks and flat pedals (after years and years of SPDs). I've noticed that my feet on the flats move around quite a bit and tend to be most comfortable out on the far edge at a slight angle (with toes out, heels in).

Just noticed these online:
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=14725&rt=0&rid=1500973&src=00063&

and wondering if anyone has tried or got any advice/comments??

Cheers,
Rob

"Randy Ice"

With a name like that he must be right!

If it were me I'd be goign to one of the proper 'bike fitting' places and gettign a full makeover of my ride position – you're as likely to bugger yourself up further with a piecemeal approach as make improvements.

At the risk of sounding cynical don't those bike fitting places just follow a formula from which-ever supplier they've bought the equipment from, which may, but probably won't be, applicable to the specific problems that an individual is suffering from?
I'd be inclined to read plenty on the subject and try lots of different things and work out what's best for you.
I do agree on the other bit though, could you ever live with yourself if you were following the advice of someone called Randy Ice 🙂

£35 **** pounds!! £35!!! They even tell you what size they are etc. Just pop down to your local engineering place with a picture and the thread spec and they'll blast you a selection out on the lathe for that much!

What knee problems are you experiencing? I went through a period of getting knee pain beneath my knee caps which I think was general inflamation, I spent a fair bit of time off the bike doing nothing but front crawl swimming to get everything stable without aggravating. I also used some orthtic inserts for cycling which are now pretty ruined but I still use them anyway as I'm used to them. Helped me but might not work for you.

Also found a switch to flats helped and I've never used SPD's since.

Find a physio that cycles before wasting money on something that might not correct your particular problem. What is comfortable might just be masking the issue and cause other problems. Get professional advice rather than trying to fix yourself – you are not objective enough or, guessing here, trained in physio issues.

everyones knee problem is different, cyclefit in london are reputedly pretty good, I'm planning a session with them myself once I've had yet another op.

As for them just following a formula, maybe they do, but maybe it works? IIRC they use one of those lazer sprit levels to project a line down your knee and fiddle with the position untill its a dead straight line.

Get a good physio, the NHS is hit and miss so dont be affraid to ask for a physio who cycles a lot, some are 'cyclists' others are hardcore roadies, its the latter you want! Odds are they will have read every single scientific paper on cleat alignemt there is.

If it were me I'd be goign to one of the proper 'bike fitting' places and gettign a full makeover of my ride position – you're as likely to bugger yourself up further with a piecemeal approach as make improvements

what he said.

Podiatrists are often trained in "gait assessment" and if you can find one with an interest in cycling they might be able to help

here you go, read this book 1st

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pruitts-Complete-Medical-Guide-Cyclists/dp/1931382808/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265038484&sr=8-1

I did use Cyclefit, London and they sorted my problems with a 3 degree cleat wedge on the right foot.
Cost me £260 for the information, but I've never had a problem since

My knees have been trouble free since I went to a private fizzeo'n'podiatrist and I started using Eggbeaters.

Just had a look at the "knee savers". Only any good if your actual knee problem is related to stance width. Usually this is an IT band prob and would require physio to eliminate.

Get yourself to a good bike fitter(unfortunately I'm too far away) and let them help. If they are any good they'll look at your position and body as a whole and find a remedy. They may also point you to a good phsyio. Correct bike fit does not solve any underlying issues so if there is something physiologically wrong with you a trip to the physio to fix you followed by a correct set up on the bike will stop the problem returning.

Olie

I find flat (spiky) pedals more uncomfortable than SPD's (especially after breaking my ankle) because there is not float at all. ❓

I've noticed that my feet on the flats move around quite a bit

Really? I find proper spiked flats offer no movement other than up and off

what dibbs and stilltortoise said – no float with flats. I use crank brothers for the float.

I'm tempted to give them a go, had no knee troubles till I started to doing big miles on a road bike.
Walk a bit duck footed and have cleats setup so shoes skim chainstays I can feel I want more toe out but can't get it. Got to be worth a try.
Any thoughts on how cranks will cope with extra leverage?

I had IT Band Syndrome, spent a fortune on a sports Physio with absolulty no results. A recomendedation by knee surgion was the "Pat Strap", this holds the ITB in place and stops the rubbing which causes the pain. Cost about £9 delivered from the states, problem went away within 4 weeks and has not returned since.

I used Cyclefit in London and IMO they were a waste of money – didn't identify the problem and they are very biased towards road and didn't have the knowledge/kit for modern day mtb's. Would suggest before you go to any of these types of people to get the underlying problem sorted rather than rely on wedges in your shoes (BTW, I use Specialised ones as they are easily transferable between shoes and don't wear like the cyclefit ones)

This year went via NHS and after a bit of wait got to see a specialist, get an MRI and am now seeing a physio which is slowly sorting out my problems – to do with core strength (or lack of it) which was causing problems in hip and leg including an excess of toe out (or heel in) of my left leg and a general twisting of my body to the left.

I may get the toolroom at work to knock me some up out of a nice piece of stainlees or alley …. which ever they have handy