All my legs are different lengths?

[Jadon]

OK: From the get go, for the purposes of the topic at hand and to avoid confusion, a man has only got two legs.

 

The problem: My one leg is about 10-15mm longer than the other.

I usually set the seat height to suit the shorter one, but suffer from a bit of pain on the front of the knee on the longer leg.

What are my options? can you get adjustable length cranks?

Or should I pack up under my cleat, taking care to maintain a platform of some kind?

 

Any help will be appreciated.

Edited March 31, 2011 by Jadon

[Thumper]

Step one is to go see a podiatrist, he'll be able to tell you exactly whats goign on with your leg length.

Then it may be as simple as an inner sole or trip to the chyropractor.

[Tankman]

You would really need to go and see a specialist in this field.

I recall reading that having different crank lengths is not the best option, they eiter have to build up your shoe or pedal or something.... but I am no specialist.

[Jadon]

Thanks for the replies so far. Maybe I should add that I'm not guessing this, it's as measured by a chiropractor. I just would like to know the options available when I go see him again.

[KaKa]

you do get cranks of different lenghts, 170, 175... not sure of all the sizes

u could possible get a 170 one side and a 180/185 the other side

that would mean buying 1 or 2 cranks and mixing / matching

 

what about moding the crank that is long, cut off drill hole and tap thread?

for this u would need a solid crank arm

 

I would try the secound option to see the effect/ length...,

then spend the money on option 1

[Tiny K]

See a specialist bud. Like thumper said, it could be something as simple as a spasmed muscle that is keeping your leg pulled up, or something like that, but I am no specialist.

 

I know a guy who has one leg shorter than the other - his shoe is built up to make up the difference.

[Barend de Arend]

First find out if the discrepancy is structural or functional. It's likely to be muscular rather than actual bone. A chyro or a physio should be able to tell you.

 

If it's bone (uncommon), pack up under your cleat, or tilt your saddle sideways.

 

If it's muscular, do some exercises.

[The Guy in Pink]

Set your saddle a bit scew, with the front of the saddle pointing away from the short leg.

This gives your short leg room to stretch and pushes the long leg back a bit.

 

Former SA Road champ Martin Thomas used an scew saddle with great effect.

[javadude]

it's as measured by a chiropractor....

 

Also, maybe get an opinion from a non quack as well.

[JasonW]

If you are in Cape Town speak to Dr Jeroen Swart at the S A Sports Science Institute.

[patches]

Aerozine makes cranks that can be adjusted to different lengths.

 

As mentioned earlier, running 2 different crank lengths probably isn't the best option... but if that ends up being the way to go (and in stead of buying 2 cranks and mixing and matching, or drilling holes)... these could be an option

 

http://www.aerozinebike.com/album/pro_photo/4b482e77de496.jpg

 

This is the road version. They also have an MTB version. Crank arms on the road version can be set to 170mm, 172.5mm and 175mm

[splat]

Chiro or Body Stress Release are two of several options.

Your back or pelvis might be slightly skew.

Try and deal with the cause rather than fix the symptoms.

Good luck!

[AndreZA]

I don't know if they will work with other cleats but Speedplay makes shims.

 

http://www.speedplay.com/images/shim.jpg

 

http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.xshims

[Grayskull]

Set your saddle a bit scew, with the front of the saddle pointing away from the short leg.

This gives your short leg room to stretch and pushes the long leg back a bit.

 

Former SA Road champ Martin Thomas used an scew saddle with great effect.

 

I seem to have a similar problem Jadon and the more i tell/show my friends the more they say it cant be and laugh at me LOL!

anyways... This solution definitely helps/works for me. Doubt it should be used as a permanent fix, but sure does the trick

[FC&P2C]

Hi jadon

10-15mm is nothing. In fact i think that is pretty much normal. Most people have uneven legs and they dont even know it.

My legs are 25mm different. I dont do anything and just carry on as normal. I've done a couple of Comrades and other ultras. My running style has addopted to the dissability.

Cycling too is no problem. I set my saddle to between my short and long leg. I raise my heel of the short leg and sag the heel of the long leg.

Stop worrying aboput it as theres nothing you can do about it.

[I FLY]

I had a mild attack of polio when I was a baby. As a result my one leg is 3cm shorter.

 

My saddle is set to the correct height for my shorter leg. I have been cycling since 1998 without any issues. The body adapts.