Originally Posted by asgelle
I thought the question was about most efficient cadence. That's not the same as ideal or optimum.
In my language "ideal" and "optimum" would equal (or at the very least include) "efficient". If you are cycling at the ideal and optimum cadence for your type of event, wouldn't that also mean that it would be efficient?
But if it is efficiency in particular that you're after, have a read over pages 111 to 118 in Bicycling Medicine by Arnie Baker. He says a lot of things in those pages, but in particular he says this: "almost all studies have shown that the most efficient cadence is still well below 80 r.p.m." ... and then a page later, he summarizes the section by saying, "Each rider's optimal cadence is specific to that rider. No matter what the studies say, you've got to find your own."