realskiers

OK - checked out the crank length, and they seem to be as long as they come -- 175mm.  I don't think I can or want to change that.  The smaller frames for that bike came with 170mm cranks, so mine seem OK.

Hmmm, longer cranks?
Are you guys sure?

I've heard longer cranks, more torque on knees.

Right on, Lynn.  Jim's article link confirms that -- too long a crank = knee pain.  I thought it was the opposite...wrong.  But I don't suspect that is the problem.

Svend,
where is the pain?

Inside/outside of knees?
On edge of knee caps?

The pain is around the knee caps.  Not serious, but quite uncomfortable, and something I want to sort out before it gets debilitating and messes up my cycling and next ski season.

In reading that article (good one, BTW -- thanks Jim!) there are a couple of things discussed that I want to check out that may be at the root of this:

1) Check my knee orientation to pedal when in the 3:00 position; move seat back if needed;

2) Check my cleat orientation and how they position my feet fore-aft on the pedals, as well as lateral alignment; reposition cleats as needed (I will check Terryl's too, now that I have heightened awareness  ).  I know that my cleats are positioned rather far back on my shoes, and this may not be good.

I'll let you know what I find.....

I think I might have overdone it in the first couple of weeks, actually.  Too far, too soon, low cadence, pushing high gears.  Just too fired up to get back out on the trails, I guess.

Thanks for the help. You're the best!