Cadence meter, the slave driver:)
 

Finally put computer on my new bike - CatEye V2C. I wanted it for wireless and cadence, but the cadence is like a whip cracking over my shoulders;)

First I realized, I am too slow, than started to try and pedal faster. On the end of the one hour long trip I felt like I was getting better, but I still have a long way to go.

Anybody else experienced similar cadence shock?:)

Yep, been there.

That cadence number is a constant reminder to maintain a good rhythm and spin. I can tell how my legs are doing based on how hard it is to maintain an 85-95 rpm spin. It also helps teach good shifting techniques. Of course there comes a point where the climbs are too steep for the leg strength and than its just there to torment you. I'm now at a place fitness wise that I can use it to help me get in that zone climbing where its just me and the 10 feet of road right around me. All I see is the #%$# cadence saying 79 and my inner voice going "kick, scrape, kick, scrape ..." ITs a new zone of pain that that blasted number helps me get too.

I do love/hate that thing!

no cmputer just a stopwatch, known distance and a some math.

In his case i think ignorance is bliss

Meh, bike computers take all the fun out of my 11.223 mile commute.


:)

Excellent summary!! From my limited experience I can tell you are right about the shifting, rhythm and speed - even the love/hate relationship:)

I spin at about 90. I had a cadence function on my computer but once I realized I'm a spinner, I have no need for it. What do I care whether I spin at 95, 90, or 87? As long as I don't mash, I'm ok and the info don't mean squat.:D

Prolly the same reason I don't need a HR monitor. If I get a pain in my chest, I slow down!:p

I like my cadence setup, but don't always use it. It won't take long now that you are paying attention to improve your cadence. A month improved mine alot.

Great topic! Thanks.....

OK So my Computer does not tell me cadence..and I may get one..So here's the question...is the fastest way to catch up to the fast guys - is it to improve my cadence? (Also I did hear for evey 10 pound I lose I will be a ton quicker up the hills)..but in truth it does sound like if I can measure my cadence and spin fast (like Mr Beanz) then perhaps I will really improve... Is that the secret? is it a good thing for weight loss as well???

In the gym - my thoguht was thoguh I do do uphills on the elliptical - that the reallty hard thing is to increase rpm...maybe that is true for road biking as well?

I tend to be faster than most of my riding buddies, especially into a strong head wind or up hills. The only thing I can attribute this to is that I tend to spin an easier gear at 95-105rpm while they're all tiring themselves out mashing big gears...

lawl. :)

I'm an admitted data geek. So having more numbers to back up my desired changes in lifestyle, or riding style (I tend toward mashing if I'm not paying attention) makes it easier for me to stick to things and work for improvements.

The best way to prove this theroy on a down hill decent. You should use the same hill a few times.

When cresting the top put your gears on the big ring and small cog. and MASH down the hill.
The next time Big Ring and a gear that you spin at a high rate but you feel like you are kicking something.

Threw the computer away years ago. I would like to try a heart rate monitor though. Maybe I'll ask for a nice one this Xmas.

I just recently switched from a old cateye that had just a couple functions to a garmin
705 because I wanted to see my cadence and heart rate. I am just beginning to bike
again after a looong time of not riding much. I was quite surprise to find that both
my cadence and heart rate were higher than I thought they would be. If I am feeling
good and moving at a good clip my cadence is 95-105 when I get tired it can drop
down to 85 or so. I was a little surprised to see the heart rate going from 150bpm
when taking it easy all the way up to 180bpm when I was trying to chase down
an attractive person that zipped by me like I was standing still. I guess I need to
get into better shape so they don't get away so fast :)

I rode my regular Friday route - 44 miles - with one eye on the cadence meter. True, it was over 95 here in VA, but I still finished completely exhausted. Well, finished, on the 34th mile I just quit and laid down under a maple tree for 15 minutes. Seemed like pedaling faster I run out of rpms before I finished the route:)

But I could really feel it in my legs, it was much more intensive workout and I believe making a spinner out of masher is gonna help me in the long run.

I was reading over the in roadie forum a couple of days ago and they were talking about Lance Armstrong using aerobic fitness to zip the pedals at 120 rpm while Greg LeMond would use enormous legs and slower cadence. I take this as perhaps evidence that there's not one right way to do things.