Road Cycling - Cadence

I've read a lot of you talk about cadence.
So how do you calculate it? Count? or is there a cyclocomputer out there that can measure it?

you can either count or use a cyclocomputer to do so... or both..

there are computers you can buy that do it. I dont use one, so I dont know how complicated they are. I do however have a regular computer with a timer on it so I just count rotations for 10 seconds and multiply by 6.

Thanks guys - I guess I'm too busy trying to stay on the path and keeping up to count. Not to mention that my "cadence" probably changes a couple time in the 10 seconds I'm supposed to be counting....

I thought there might be another more mathmatical answer. "Take the size of the crank and the cassett, mutiply them by the square root of the average miles per hour....etc"

I like the counting idea....

Cheers:beer:

I count too... I have a heart rate monitor that has a timer on it, so I can set the timer for a minute and count how many times I do a full rotation in a minute.

I had a cyclocomputer, but it broke the first day I used it, so I've given up on that kind of stuff since. Good old fashioned counting works for me.

Koffee

Originally posted by Raedeke
Thanks guys - I guess I'm too busy trying to stay on the path and keeping up to count. Not to mention that my "cadence" probably changes a couple time in the 10 seconds I'm supposed to be counting....

I thought there might be another more mathmatical answer. "Take the size of the crank and the cassett, mutiply them by the square root of the average miles per hour....etc"

I like the counting idea....

Cheers:beer:

Actually that is how [some] cyclocomputers do.. You input cog specs, chainwheel specs, etc.. The cyclocomputers converts that into chainring rpm based on your current speed.

cadence (rev per min) = speed (m per hr)/(60 x gr x wheel dia)

gr = gear ratio e.g 39/19 = 2.05
wheel dia = eg 0.7 x pia = 2.199

so when doing 30km/hr with 39 -19 ratio on a road bike the cadence = 30,000/(60 X 2.05 x 2.199) = 110.

But how do you work your calculator and ride at the same time?:D

You can always hire some math geek to run beside you while you're riding and make the calculations and yell it out while you're riding. :D

Cadence = Bicycle Engine RPM and YOU are the Bicycle Engine.

If you push a motor vehicle hard you need a tachometer so that you can be sure you have the engine's RPM matched to the road conditions and your gear selection to achieve a given level of performance you're trying to extract from the motor, i.e., rapid acceleration = high RPM, fuel economy = low revs, torque = low revs with lots of power.

Cadence is the same. Most cyclists who are training for peak performance work to attain a natural cadence of 90 - 100 (RPM). The EASIEST way to learn where your natural cadence is today (vs where you want or should be) is to put an inexpensive cyclocomputer on your bike that has a cadence option. Nashbar has many of these under $30.

http://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm?subcategory=1035&category=82&browse=&storetype=&estoreid=&brand=&searchbox=&start=11&orderby=price1

Once you know where you are you can begin to set goals for your target cadence under given conditions, e.g., cruising cadence, climbing cadence, max cadence, etc... Of course equally and perhaps more important is keeping track of and setting goals for your heart rate.... but that's another thread and a more expensive computer.

I am on a trainer more than normal right now, because I recently injured my shoulder.
On the web I found some advice about cadence and how to improve upon spinning. It said to use a trainer and put one foot up on a chair at one time and with your hips square spin on one foot. Rotate feet. To get you to get used to spinning push your feet forwards in your shoe in the downward stroke and back in the upward and remove the dead weight from the foot as the pedal comes up.
The point since I am on the trainer more now, I am trying to work on this spinning since it is to use less energy.
So I find while on the trainer practicing this procedure, it is easy to count your cadence. To my surprise, I find I am doing a greater cadence than I ever imagined, since on the road; without computers that count cadence- you really do not know. Unless you complete multiple tasks and keep an eye on traffic all at the same time.
So trainers do have their place.

Originally posted by Koffee Brown
You can always hire some math geek to run beside you while you're riding and make the calculations and yell it out while you're riding. :D

I take it you were referring to my "I like running" post from the other day and the fact I'm an accountant. :eek: