Just started to ride, calves are strained, no real stress on thighs...is my form off?

Question

Granted I am riding in mountain bike shoes with cleats in a 60 cm Trek 2200 frame, and the shoes are 2 sizes to big (working on that), it seemed like my calves were doing all the work and my thighs were not donig enough...any ideas? could it simply be the incorrect shoe size? or maybe my seat height? thanks

Answer 1

I suspect you have the cleats mounted too far forward on your shoes.  

Answer 2

Normally you should be pedaling with the ball of you foot.

With rigid sole shoes you should be pedaling with the whole foot.  It sounds like you have the Seat too high and you have to stretch at the bottom of the stroke.  Adjust the seat so that you leg is just slightly bent when the pedal is at the bottom.  You should not be able to lock  your knee.

Get shoes that fit, are you sure the bike is the right size also?

Answer 3

It could well be the shoes.  If they are too long it means that instead of pedalling with the ball of your foot you will be pedalling with the end of your toes.  If you try standing on your toes you will feel the strain is taken by your calf muscles.  Shoes normally have a bit of adjustment in them, push the cleat as far back as it will go until you can get some that fit.

Answer 4

Silverbullet may be right but I suspect that either your saddle is too high or you are flexing too much!!!!

Cleat type and shoe size have little bearing on your suffering.

Try to lock your ankles when riding and just for your info. - I have experienced calf ache too! - usually as a result of dehydration! (at least that what it appears to be!)

Try lowering your seat, if your quads(thighs) then ache, then at least you are heading in the right direction!!!

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