I have been riding over a decade without any physical issues. However, from Jan this year I developed a unique problem. My left hip actually bounces off from saddle and will rotate my left knee inside toward top tube. In January the problem was not that noticeable and I was able to manually adjust and ride in group rides etc but with some pain. I started the Hip internal / external rotation exercises in Jan itself. But my end of Feb, the issue was so severe that I couldn’t ride.
I went to 2 bike fitters and 2 different chiropractors so far. The second one is a cyclist himself. But so no help.
I thought of getting some help from here. Did you see someone struggling like this and if yes, how did they overcome?
This is not something I have any experience with or have seen in others. Somebody here might have good specific recommendations, but I would suggest seeing a good reputable bike fitter. They start by doing a thorough physical evaluation of a rider’s range of motion, flexibility, asymmetries, and pedaling motion on the bike. With some testing and evaluation, they should be able to figure out what’s going on and how to rectify it.
I agree with everything @Saddlesaur said above, and would add that it looks (to me, at least) as though you are sitting to the right of center of your saddle. Moving to the left might correct things, but that’s a really big “hop” (I’ve never seen anything like that). Seeing a reputable fitter would probably be a good idea.
Hey, I feel for you. I have a similar asymmetry. I also naturally want to sit to the right on the saddle (that’s what feels correct). It was wearing a sore spot on my left buttocks that sits closer to the saddle creating a perpetual saddle sore.
What I’ve do now is intentionally center my butt over the saddle. I even check for the seam of my shorts and make sure it’s centered on the saddle. Also getting Assos shorts and an SMP saddle helped a ton.
My asymmetry also caused upper back / neck pain on the left side which was probably the worst symptom. With the repositioning, SMP, and Assos plus some strength training I haven’t experienced that in a few years.
It looks like you are pushing off the right pedal to create the hop. It also looks like you are centering yourself pushing left. Does this happen at all intensities or just above a certain intensity?
I was very tempted to find a next level, Steve Hogg trained, fitter like Colby Pierce. I only mention them because I’ve never heard of any other fitter talk about asymmetries. Some do virtual consults from video. I never hired one because I’ve mostly solved my issue but if I had one local to me, I’d pay the money.
Thanks for suggestions. I will try to connect with Colby.
This happens in all scenarios. I just can’t ride bike anymore. Last year I used to slide forward during extensive pulling or responding to longe rang sprint and it was fixed by the fitter.
I do have small leg discrepancy. My right leg is bit shorter but I have shims there. I did a bike fit last year with a very reputable fitter in person. But even they are clueless now and advised me to see the second chiropractor.
One change they did in my left cleat is moving inward so my feet is bit far from crank. I used to scrape the crank at times.
I can run, walk have no pain except as soon as I sit on bike. If I do single leg drills I don’t have this issue.
I was a bike fitter and the only time I saw something that bad was a pre op hip replacement. That’s the worst hip hop in someone healthy I’ve seen. You need someone to check your hip for impingement or any type of tear (physio or MD + imaging). If it is just impingement with no pain you can likely go straight to a bike fitter. Colby Pearce would be great.
In the mean time I would be opening the hip angle as much as possible.
Raise the front end
Shorten the cranks (below 165 mm)
You could bring the saddle forwards if it doesn’t upset your weight balance
Increase Q factor with longer pedal spindles
Your right foot is also more pronated than your left further pointing at some more asymmetry to potentially look at after the above.
