stonecrd

I think a lot of focus on cadence has come about since Lance pedals around 110 which was faster than other many riders and he was winning the TDF. This made people think that maybe they needed to be cycling at higher cadence to be more sucessful. I have always been more of a spinner and avg 95-100, this actually became a detriment when I started doing group rides because I was always keeping a higer gear and trying to keep my cadence up and blowing up my heart rate. I found I had to drop my cadence and get into a lower gear to keep the speed and this put more pressure on my legs rather than my heart. Finding the right balance is the key, IMO.

Carusoswi

NoRacer, if I read you correctly, then, to complete a cycle, I'd have to turn the crank 1 1/2 times so that the pedal opposite the one that started the cycle would have a chance to complete its revolution - and each successive cycle would start on alternating pedals.

Am I understanding you?

So, this means that, if I was incorrectly counting my RPM at 44, then, hmm, let me think about this.

My 44 would actually be something yet slower? I'm still confused.

Maybe you can clarify. If my left pedal rotates once, how many cycle(s) would that be?

Sorry to be so dense. Just trying to understand.

Thanks.

Caruso

DnvrFox

That post was confusing to me also!

Just once around, as your common sense would suggest. Start at the bottom (or top) and return to the bottom (or top).

Carusoswi

Thanks, DNR. I was beginning to really feel like a turtle. I still don't understand how my cadence could be so slow. I understand that if I'm running on my 11 in the rear and 63 up front that my cadence will be markedly slower than most (unless I'm doing 45 mph on a downhill - others might be coasting at that point), but, in more moderate ranges, it doesn't appear that I'm spinning that much more slowly than others around me.

I'll have to spend some more time analyzing what I do - can't believe that I'm that slow. My cycling seems to give me a workout, and I feel good afterward, and I put in some mileage, too - around 2400 per year.

Thanks for the replies.

Caruso

DnvrFox

Try this web site:

https://analyticcycling.com/GearCadenceSpeed_Page.html

With a 53-11 at 20 mph with a 700 tire, your cadence would be 51.

cyclintom

I don't think it's quite right to say that cadence is "learned" as much as "trained into".

All of the cadence training I did had SOME but little effect. When I started racing the speed you needed to go to keep up forced you to build up a GREAT deal of power and that necessitated spinning and pedaling circles.

When I first started racing I was in high gear all the time but after a couple of years I'd be in the 15 most of the time. That wasn't from any conscience training but was forced upon racers just to keep up.

I also noted that I began pedalling circles which isn't a particularly normal motion. When you needed an extra burst of speed you would automatically begin pedaling circles and your could feel a significant increase in power but it cost of course since you would be using more oxygen from your blood supply and would run down faster. So you would normally ride at pack speeds just stomping and then pedal circles when you needed extra power.

stonecrd

Another place to play with cadence & speed
https://sheldonbrown.com/gears/