Originally Posted by
aaronmcd
If you're serious I'll go for it... seems doable with a lot of work, but also seems really freaking fast.
Serious. Without really training it, I was able to get to 220rpm. The trick is finding the right descent. You have to have a little bit of resistance when you're getting up there, and you'll be less jumpy if you're going over 20mph, b/c accelerations from one overly-happy pedal stroke won't accelerate you all that much. If you can find a hill that will have you coasting at about 20mph in your 39-23, make contact at 150rpm, then accelerate until you see over 25mph. 27mph is over 200rpm on most 700x23c tires.
http://www.bikecalc.com/speed_at_cadence
The utility of all this is questionable, but I believe it can help you smooth out your stroke in general, and to feel more comfortable if you're caught in the wrong gear somehow and have to make things happen anyway -- even in training.