Question about knees and bikes

[LaxCrazy17]

I messed up my knee and I've been riding my bike to help strengthen it, I was wondering, will bike riding do anything for my thighs? I'm not sure if it will or not.

-Robin

[Conrice]

yup, but, not too much for strength, more for endurance...but either way, riding your bike is very good compared to running or nothing at all...keep it up

[stegmakk]

Yep...just as conrice says...
but using the bike for a while will help build your knee back up to the point you can run on it again...

[busdriver44]

isn't bike riding bad for your knees after a certain amount of time?

[RYU]

Bike riding is bad for your knees, IF your ride is set up improperly. If you go to the typical gym, at least 90% of people on the stationary bikes have poor riding set up. If you want to know proper set up, go to a reputable bicycle store and ask one of the experts there to show you proper set up.

Most people have their seats set too low and use seats that are too wide.

[franks2089]

yup, but, not too much for strength,
Actually it can if you are riding a bike at the gym and you use the highest resistance setting.

[When It Cuts]

To elaborate some on what RYU said, the proper seat height is determined by the angle of your knee of your lowest leg. Sitting on the seat, turn the crank until one pedal is as close to the ground as possible. Now, with your legs on the pedals, notice how straight your lowest leg is. Generally, the straighter it is the better, but it should never be completely straight. Adjusting it around half an inch to an inch lower for comfort couldn't hurt :)

[stegmakk]

Actually it can if you are riding a bike at the gym and you use the highest resistance setting.
True...but if you are rehabbing a messed up knee you dont want to start out with a high resistence setting...you can work your way up

[LaxCrazy17]

thanks guys I appreciate your help! that was really good.

-Robin :)