Originally Posted by
datlas
+1
I am not sure if the OP is receptive to suggestions, but I ask you to entertain the idea that you will be more efficient if you aim for a higher cadence, 80-90. I know 50 may feel "natural" to you if that is they way you have been doing it all along, but if you try a faster cadence I suspect you will eventually like it and get much more power.
i am trying. what i am noticing so far is when i shift and pedal faster my overall speed remains about the same but my breathing rate goes up by about 50%. i feel like i am burning much more calories but the amount of them reaching the crank is the same.