NOS88

Your results make sense to me. Lower load per work cycle = lower stress and less pain. I've found that, escpecially in cold weather, I need to keep cadence above 90 RPM to avoid any knee problems. In fact, I've tried to set up my gearing so that I don't have to drop into the 70 RPM range on anything but the most extreme climbs. Even then, I use a great deal of out of seat climbing to avoid stress on the knees. Finally, I try to never equate my technique with what a professional cyclist does for two reasons. Most are elite and have genetic abilities I'll never have, and many wear themselves out during their career and really don't cycle all that much after retirement.