What exercises can help strengthen knees for cycling?

Bicycling recommends seven knee-strengthening exercises, including clamshells, glute bridges, donkey kicks, and bird dogs. Ashley Mateo’s article focuses on riders dealing with knee pain. Cycling coach Tara Parsons says she hears this complaint often. The article cites a study of 116 professional cyclists. In that group, 23% experienced knee pain. That number describes how common pain was, not whether these exercises helped. The supplied exercise directions give a few clear targets. Clamshells use a resistance band above the knees, with 15 repetitions per side. Donkey kicks also call for 15 repetitions per side. These involve lifting one heel while keeping the knee bent. Bird dogs involve extending the opposite arm and leg from all fours. The article suggests alternating sides for 90 seconds while keeping the back flat and hips level. For the Knees Over Toes Training community, this offers exercise ideas rather than proof of results. The article does not test this training method. It also gives no before-and-after pain scores for its seven-exercise routine. Suggested repetitions are not measured benefits. Members already tracking their routines could compare exercise counts with knee comfort over time. A simple log might include repetitions, ride length, and next-day comfort. Tracking Joint Pain with the same scale each time could make community notes easier to compare. Noting changes in riding habits also adds context. A better week alone cannot show which exercise made the difference. What changes in knee comfort have you noticed alongside your exercise routine, and what numbers do you track?