Do I need Cadence on my computer?
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Do I need Cadence on my computer?
Just getting back in after several years of hiatus. Spent yesterday riding around Stone Mountain, GA and was doing well, feeling very consistent on flats and of course on the downs. However, after passing a few riders, I was immead. passed by the same riders on some of the larger (up)hills. So the question is, is consistent cadence the key to climbing well, and if so, do I need my computer to have that function? Of course I understand that more power and understanding of my threshold comes with more experience, but I'm just looking for tips on consistent climbing. Thanks a lot
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More riding will help you up those hills. I ride by my cadence but dont look at it up a big hill.
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I have cadence on Ciclosport 434 and I use it but the power meter function is more helpfull and IMHO more important.
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I don't want to hijack, but......
I just count, is there a benefit to having it on the computer. Is it just the constant feedback that helps?
I just count, is there a benefit to having it on the computer. Is it just the constant feedback that helps?
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When I'm doing FT (fast tempo) work I use it, I find it more accurate than counting. I also like to use it to check my watts vs cadance. I can toggle between the two and see that on a certain climb my watts may be higher with a higher or lower cadence.
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#7
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Originally Posted by ehenz
I don't want to hijack, but......
I just count, is there a benefit to having it on the computer. Is it just the constant feedback that helps?
I just count, is there a benefit to having it on the computer. Is it just the constant feedback that helps?
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I couldn't live without my cadence. I use it to constantly push myself to the proper rpms. when I ride, I've got speed on the top, cadence on the bottom.
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there is no way you can count as accurately as can a computer measure.. by feel, i can only tell whether i am in my 'comfort' range (95-105rpm) or not.
i have cadence on the big display.. its my fav feature of the computer
i have cadence on the big display.. its my fav feature of the computer
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I guess you can ride past mile markers and calculate your speed also, but both of them seem like a lot of work when there are computers that can give you both accurately and pretty cheaply.
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Originally Posted by jonbanjovi
Is there any more you can give on counting? I think I'd have no problem doing that anywhere but the hills, but it is there that it seems to matter, where i easily find myself out of juice and ped'ing much more slowly
I count my stokes for 15 or 30 seconds then multiply by accordingly (2 or 4). It suits my needs as a non-competitive cyclist. It becomes second nature to stroke within ones comfort zone which is typically around 100 RPMs, or so.
In general, I keep my cadence up on the hills. I would not worry to much about being passed at Stone Mountain after a several year hiatus.
Average cadence.....you need a computer.
Now I see guys talking about watts, that is over my head and perhaps worth checking out.
Last edited by ehenz; 07-14-04 at 09:05 PM.
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Originally Posted by Brillig
I guess you can ride past mile markers and calculate your speed also, but both of them seem like a lot of work when there are computers that can give you both accurately and pretty cheaply.
Yep, counting to 30 is a lot of work, which is exactly why 99% of cycling computers come w/o cadence
There is a smarty pants in every bunch.
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WhileI've been counting for several years, & decided this year I'm getting one with cadence. Not a necessity for me though, as I can usually get a general idea.
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Originally Posted by ehenz
Stop following me!
Yep, counting to 30 is a lot of work, which is exactly why 99% of cycling computers come w/o cadence
There is a smarty pants in every bunch.
Yep, counting to 30 is a lot of work, which is exactly why 99% of cycling computers come w/o cadence
There is a smarty pants in every bunch.
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I have a hard time doing arithmetic when my brain is oxygen deprived. But that's just me, YMMV.
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I've got two bikes, a Tuscany with cadence and a Ritchey Breakaway without (for reasons that are obvious, I trust). I find that I miss the cadence feature on the Ritchey, but not unbearably. For me, the main benefit of cadence is that it pushes me into a harder gear when, for example, I notice that I'm doing over 110 rpm. That, in turn, ups my speed a little, so I end up riding faster and harder. Probably the best indication of importance is what's on my HAC4 display. On the Litespeed, it's always cadence unless I want to glance at power, distance, or time. Even then, I quickly toggle it back to candence.
Stephen
Stephen
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Back when I first started ridding I used cadence but got rid of it and went to a simple Cat Eye wireless; nice and clean. I tend to always be pushing the higher gears just because I like the feel of it and the burn. #1 tip that comes to mind is BE STRONG and BE LIGHT if you want to climb! In our club rides, another guy and myself are about 135# each , and we sit at the top of the long steep ones and watch as the rest of the club climbs up! What a sight and what a kick that is to see! Honest, get light and you will climb like a cat and look forward to hills, just because you can!
Last edited by VeganRider; 07-14-04 at 09:50 PM.
#19
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I've had cadence on my Cateye Solar mounted to my Davidson for as long as they've been around. Now that the wheel counter has died, for whatever reason, all I have is cadence and time. I still keep the thing on the bike just for that. I've been doing the same rides so I always know my mileage.
But OTOH, I don't have a computer on my other road bike, and I never miss it.
But OTOH, I don't have a computer on my other road bike, and I never miss it.
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Originally Posted by jonbanjovi
Spent yesterday riding around Stone Mountain, GA and was doing well, feeling very consistent on flats and of course on the downs. However, after passing a few riders, I was immead. passed by the same riders on some of the larger (up)hills.
Did you pass me? Did I pass you? What color jersey were you wearing? What kind of bike?
I'm the old fart (59) on the Litespeed and usually wear a fluorescent yellow jersey or whatever jersey is on top of the jersey pile in the drawer. Could be blue or my BikeForums jersey or .....
Originally Posted by jonbanjovi
Just getting back in after several years of hiatus...
So the question is, is consistent cadence the key to climbing well, and if so, do I need my computer to have that function?
So the question is, is consistent cadence the key to climbing well, and if so, do I need my computer to have that function?
When I first got back into cycling in 1999 I got a Cateye Astrale (has cadence) to "monitor" how fast, or usually, how slowly I was turning the cranks. Five years later I still have (and use) the cadence feature on the cyclocomputers (Vetta RT77) on both bikes. Sometimes I just want to see how fast I'm turning the cranks. Wow, 95...98...102. Going up "heart attack hill" at Stone Mountain, 68...54...42.
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Originally Posted by VeganRider
Back when I first started ridding I used cadence but got rid of it and went to a simple Cat Eye wireless; nice and clean. I tend to always be pushing the higher gears just because I like the feel of it and the burn. #1 tip that comes to mind is BE STRONG and BE LIGHT if you want to climb! In our club rides, another guy and myself are about 135# each , and we sit at the top of the long steep ones and watch as the rest of the club climbs up! What a sight and what a kick that is to see! Honest, get light and you will climb like a cat and look forward to hills, just because you can!
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#22
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Originally Posted by RonH
I usually ride from home to Stone Mountain. I get there about 12:30-1:00 p.m. and do a few laps and then head home. I'm unemployed so I ride there 5-6 days a week. Maybe I'll see you today.
Did you pass me? Did I pass you? What color jersey were you wearing? What kind of bike?
I'm the old fart (59) on the Litespeed and usually wear a fluorescent yellow jersey or whatever jersey is on top of the jersey pile in the drawer. Could be blue or my BikeForums jersey or .....
Did you pass me? Did I pass you? What color jersey were you wearing? What kind of bike?
I'm the old fart (59) on the Litespeed and usually wear a fluorescent yellow jersey or whatever jersey is on top of the jersey pile in the drawer. Could be blue or my BikeForums jersey or .....
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Originally Posted by jonbanjovi
the thing is, i'm at emory all day, so i don't get there til between 6-8. regardless, i look forward to seeing you there.
If you're at SM on the weekends I usually ride about the same time -- 12:30-1:00 p.m.
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Originally Posted by RonH
Ah, Emory! My employer until they downsized in 2000. Thank you John Henry.
If you're at SM on the weekends I usually ride about the same time -- 12:30-1:00 p.m.
If you're at SM on the weekends I usually ride about the same time -- 12:30-1:00 p.m.