Mountain Biking - RPM's

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newmtb
09-29-02, 09:46 AM
I don't have a computer on my mountain bike. But when I am at the Gym onthe stationary I was wondering what a good RPM rate is.

Cipher
09-29-02, 10:14 AM
Minimum of 75 RPM, preferably 90 - 95. (Just my 2¢).
earleybird
09-29-02, 11:30 AM
Originally posted by newmtb
I don't have a computer on my mountain bike. But when I am at the Gym onthe stationary I was wondering what a good RPM rate is.

I think it would rather depend on what you are trying to achieve.
Are you warming up/ down for a set of exercises ?trying to find your max HR? If I were you I would chat up one of the coaches there about what you want to achieve and see if they will construct you a program. After all they have followed an instructors course and qualified to give you that advice.

Maelstrom
09-29-02, 11:56 AM
For training purposes I like the higher rpms. for actual riding sometimes you just have to mash the gears depending on the difficulty of the trail. I don't know nor will ever care what my rpms are when I am actually trail riding. :)
Ferg
09-29-02, 03:58 PM
I usually keep around 95-100. Give this Specialized model a try.
It has a super-thin magnet that fits perfectly on the back of a crank
so you can use it on a mountain bike without any clearance issues.

Click it

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2002/equip/01computerpro_d.jpg (http://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProduct.jsp?section=11307&browselevel=top&JServSessionIdroot=410vwe02v8.j27004)
fubar5
09-29-02, 08:36 PM
It depends on what you want, and how you feel. Say you are riding and your legs just don't have it power that day, spin at a higher cadence. Say you are riding and you just can't get your heart working right, push bigger gears. If it's a good day and your lungs and you legs have it, spin high cadence and a big gear(power, yeah!!!). Basically, high cadence works your heart, and slow works your muscles. So if it's muscle building time, it's big gear, slow cadence time, if it's cardio time, it's high cadence time. A good training program encompasses all. :beer:

Hope this helps!

I recomend finding an exercise/sports physiology book also. I found a college sports physiology text book on Barnes and Noble.com for 10 bucks and I'm am learning so much from it.
CycleMON
09-30-02, 05:30 AM
I always spin on steady climbs. I don't have really strong legs and I hated to climb; a couple of people I ride with noticed I was always having difficulty climbing and suggested that I started spinning at a high cadence. Guess what...my climbing skills got better, and not only that, my endurance got better.

I'm still not the fastest up the hill but I'm not the last one anymore:D .