Swept-back Bars = Knee Pain

[Jay]

I know this crowd likes their swept-back bars so I thought you could help.  I'm also going to ask my bike-fitter about this next week.

I was running drop bars on my Salsa Fargo and had the saddle set at a certain height and set back.  I never experienced any knee pain.  I switched to a VO Crazy Bar, with a longer stem, and despite being quite comfortable through my upper body, and having better handling on my local trails, I've now developed pain on the front of one knee.  I did not adjust the saddle.

I know that one factor was the increased weight on the saddle from being more upright has led to my seat post slipping a couple of times.  I've caught this mid-ride, twice (and I've checked in all 10 or so rides since switching bars).  So I've ridden at least part of a ride (maybe 20-30 minutes) with a seat post that was about 2mm lower than when I started.  Not much, but I'm super-sensitive to fit.

So my question is whether one should adjust their saddle height and set back when riding in a more upright position (like 15 degrees more upright, give-or-take)?  I wouldn't have thought so, but other than going back to drop bars it's the only thing that may resolve this.  I ride this and my Riv on a regular rotation, and never have the pain with the Riv, on or 1-2 days after riding.  With the Fargo, it feels strange on the ride, and I definitely feel it later that day and next day.

[Spencer Robinson]

Yup, prolly need to raise the saddle but, definitely consult your bike fitter.  So, if you are sitting at your desk, (upright) and you lean forward (drops) you will notice that your hips roll up and back. 

[Erik daSilva]

I've found that saddle tilt is the primary change that must occur with a more upright bar—saddle nose needs to tilt up as the bars come up in order to prevent slipping forward off the saddle. You may be constantly and subtly pushing yourself back on the saddle, which may be creating the knee discomfort you're experiencing.