A higher cadance, at the same resistance, will result in the same power produced, yet with less force applied to the pedals for a shorter duration. Your legs, however, have less of a chance to recover from each stroke. A lower cadance means more force for each stroke, and since the stroke is longer, the force is applied for a longer duration. You do, however, get a longer duration for each leg before the next stroke.

Relate it to the weight room. I can bench 200 lbs, from my chest to full extension, in one second. To do the same amount of power, I'll have to do 20 lbs, 10 times in one second, or 100 lbs, 2 times in one second, etc, etc, etc. Someone else may be able to do 20 lb, 10 times in one second, but not 200 lbs, once.

The point is, everyone is going to have an optimum.


Another point is that a higher cadance is taxing on your aerobic ability, while a lower cadance is more taxing on neuromuscular strength.


What you should train is up to you and what your goals are.