New Bike and ITB Pain

[Vipul]

I'm hoping someone could provide some advise on what to do next.

Bought a second hand Cervelo R5 about 7 months ago and every ride on it has resulted in ITB pain either on the left leg or right leg or both. I've spent quite a bit of money getting some bike fits done - even been to The Body Mechanic which still has not resolved my ITB pain.
I generally commute to and from work on my old roadie and I don't have any issues whatsoever, but the moment I start riding the Cervelo and around 10-15km into the ride, the pain starts and gradually becomes sharp. I've been told that I'm quite flexible and have also been doing some ITB strengthening exercises, but I honestly don't think it's any of this.

Frame size, measurements, etc are similar. Only difference is that the bottom bracket on the Cervelo is a bit more wider than the one on my old roadie. I'm not entirely sure if this has got anything to do with it but the most recent bike fit from TBM has inserted shims beneath the cleats to even out the stance.

Anyone has any advice on what to try next? Is this bike cursed?

Thanks!

[CKinnard]

go back and tell your bike fitter.
and get him to measure the width of both sets of pedals, and if necessary transfer your old pedals to the cervelo. this is assuming all other measures are essentially the same between bikes.

pedal to pedal width, pedal type, and cleat set up +/- shims impact ITB.
seat height and fore/aft also effects it.

[adam0bmx0]

A wider Q factor could be the cause, considering set up is the same and assuming you're using the same shoes/cleats.

Speedplay offer different axle lengths for their clipless pedals.

As said above, get the Q-factor for both bikes measured to understand if that may be the cause.

[jules21]

I was unaware you could strengthen your ITB. the usual cause of ITB problems is that it tightens, then rubs against your knee or hip while pedalling, causing inflammation and pain.

the treatment I've received is based on loosening the ITB. it's a band that runs down your leg. the looser it is, the less it will rub against joints. you can do stretches or roll it over those torture balls with the rubber spikes. I found that approach effective.

a bike fit may help, but it's an expensive and convoluted way of solving a simple problem - if your ITBs are tight. I'd focus on loosening them first. this is assuming that your bike fit is in the ballpark - which it should be if you've already had one done.

[fat and old]

I can actually maybe help.....

I had the same (RHS only) when I bought my R5 (dead set, coincidence aye). Still don't know why, I know that after a fit I started getting it, not before. Did what Jules said, worked on loosening it up. All good after a few weeks. Used a foam roller.

Never would have thought is was a wider bb, but yeah, it is a fair bit wider than the older bike.

[big booty]

Slightly for left field but grab the saddle off your old bike and place it on your new bike. Make sure you measure the BB to saddle height and allow for the other saddle. Worth a try?

[skydance]

Get back to The Body Mechanic and see Mark Green (running injury specialist). He does fantastic job dealing with these kinds of injuries. He helped me to fix exactly the same issue.

Bike Fit is essential, but it is not enough. You'll have to learn on how to relax you muscles (including massage).

[vander]

I was unaware you could strengthen your ITB. the usual cause of ITB problems is that it tightens, then rubs against your knee or hip while pedalling, causing inflammation and pain.

the treatment I've received is based on loosening the ITB. it's a band that runs down your leg. the looser it is, the less it will rub against joints. you can do stretches or roll it over those torture balls with the rubber spikes. I found that approach effective.

a bike fit may help, but it's an expensive and convoluted way of solving a simple problem - if your ITBs are tight. I'd focus on loosening them first. this is assuming that your bike fit is in the ballpark - which it should be if you've already had one done.

It has been proven that you cannot lengthen you ITB a number of times now however foam rolling clinically seems to have some beneficial effect (much debate as to why this is but they are thinking mostly psychological now).

Loosening the ITB isnt the answer the answer is often a technique bio-mechanical thing. I notice when I am doing bike fits on people that have been fitted before but are still having issues it is often not a fit thing the fit is often close enough it is more of the way they ride or purely just something in the body.

Go see a physio that knows plenty about cycling they should be able to help in no time it may be beneficial that they look at you on the bike. I dont know what the body mechanic is like now since their main guy left but when he was there they were great I can only assume that he passed on his expertise to his other staff before leaving. Honestly though this is what the 'fitter' should have picked up and should have referred you onto their physio side.