Use cadence to suit the work you are doing in the moment. This article summarizes the typical situations pretty well.

https://cinchcycling.cc/blogs/news/t...ycling-cadence

Quick summary:

”I. High cadence and high power to accelerate in an attack, close a gap, or raise the speed up.
II. High cadence and low power to keep legs stimulated when speed (fast downhill) or scenario (high-speed peloton).
III. Low cadence and high power to control effort on difficult terrains like steep hills or rough roads.
IV. Low cadence and low power to maintain the speed that you have built following an acceleration by you or another rider, a change in terrain giving you speed, or a change in conditions like a tailwind.”


Otto