Knees keep banging into the top tube - Any suggestions on padding in that location?

[bikechiq]

My knees keep banging into the top tube, wanted to put some sort of padding there, what are ya'll using that's not too silly looking?

 

[The Hodge]

Eh ..?
How come ?

 

[bikechiq]

Eh ..?
How come ?

weird conformation i guess

 

[The Hodge]

Pipe lagging might do the trick ..very old school as we used to use this on certain parts to shoulder the bike when carrying it uphill ..

 

[The Hodge]

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[Zimmerframe]

This fixed it for me :

Though technique can help :

So anyway ...... Are you riding in flats or clipless ? Could it be that you're pointing your toes/feet inwards for some reason and need to start with foot position ?

 

[Zimmerframe]

Oh, and if you're not wearing knee pads ... then knee pads ! They'll serve to not only help with this issue, but if you ever fall off, they're potentially prevent a lot of pain. I think I put a post in the ladies thread to a link of lady friendly knee pad recommendations a few weeks back.

Whilst @BAMBAMODA doth jest .... I did actually whack my knees on the bar quite a bit at the start - now I just whack them on immovable objects around the trail instead, it's far more interesting.

 

[R120]

Luckily our hipster fixed gear brethren decided some time ago that a top tube pad a la 80’s BMX but longer would be a great addition to their Hip Hop Slave Bikes, and I suspect would do just the job you need. One of many options out there:

Tube Pad — zulu fixed

Free shipping worldwide!

zulufixed.com

 

[R120]

And if you are wondering what a hip hop slave bike is:


Hip Hop Slave Bike

Acronym coined on the LFGSS forum in London, usually a track bike that has never seen the track (i.e. tarck) and is used for sliding around Dalston or Shoreditch, showing off expensive, carbon, aerodynamic or otherwise rad components. All types of track bikes that may be slightly impractical but are nonetheless maximum rad to the power of epic awesome.

A prime example would be this Vitus Lo Pro liberated from a life of boredom as a retired track bike and reborn as the perfect urban transport for a Supreme clad youth enjoying the bright lights of London

 

[flash]

Knee pads for sure. But I'd also be looking at your riding and foot position. Knees turned in or out while riding can do long term harm if you're not careful. Also saddle position on the rails and seat height might need to be adjusted.

Gordon

 

[JimBo]

My knees keep banging into the top tube, wanted to put some sort of padding there, what are ya'll using that's not too silly looking?

This top tube protector is quite well padded and inexpensive. Plus it's made from recycled bike tubes!

 

[Mikerb]

Do you mean you hit the top tube with your knees whilst pedalling or during, for example, dismounts etc? If your knees are indeed hitting the top tube whilst pedalling then as others suggested you really need to look at your feet positioning on the pedals. Assuming you are using flat pedals a larger profile pedal may help and a good quality pinned pedal matched with 5-10s or similar will ensure you feet stay in position on the pedals. If you are using clipless they are either hopelessly badly adjusted or you should change to flats before you start injuring knee joints etc. If anything for control your knees should be angled slightly outward most of the time on a trail. A simple solution may be to lower your saddle even to the extent that your legs are slightly more bent at full pedal stroke. That might be uncomfortable on an analogue bike but on an Emtb it is not due to the motor assist.
If your problem is in fact hitting the top tube when coming to a stop/dismounting etc the solution is far simpler......fit a dropper post if you do not have one currently and before stopping or dismounting, slam the seat.

 

[urastus]

My knees keep banging into the top tube, wanted to put some sort of padding there, what are ya'll using that's not too silly looking?

do you use flat pedals or clip ins?