I know to use 90-100 rpm for normal riding situations but aren't there times when its better to spin slower in a slightly higher gear?

I'll cite the short cobbled section of my typical ride route as the place where I like to change up a notch or two to keep power on the chain and counteract the naturally slowing effect of the cobbles.

some of this is coming up now in this thread

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ing-even-18mph

Wow, the OP is definitely mashing.

For a while this year I thought I could power harder at about 80rpm. I'm not sure I really can now, I notice if I shift up (lower gear) while doing this and still concentrate on putting out the power I surge forward.

I do feel like on rough terrain I can power over things better at low cadence. And, of course, a nice easy cadence while climbing out of the saddle sure stretches the legs.

Going into headwinds, I always end up in a lower cadence. Maybe it's wrong, but it feels better, to me.

In a steady paceline I like to shift to a harder gear and lower my cadence down to 80 and even into the 70s. I feel more in control and if necessary I can easily spin up to accelerate without changing gears.

I was advised by a racer to ride now and then at lower cadences to increase speed (only one technique of many). I don't like intervals and don't take training serious but sometimes I do like to spend the last few minutes of a ride pushing harder at a lower cadence. Has kind of strengthened up my legs I think.

Not everyone has femur and tibia lengths to match a 80-90-100rpm cadence. Everyone is different.

Once warmed up I can sustain 90 rpm for hours. I never sought 90rpm as a target. My gearing, fitness and my speed found it.

i like the asthma medication picture socalslowguy

For me, the times are when I'm putting a lot less effort into pedaling. Specifically, if I'm following somebody that is going slower than what I would otherwise be going, or on a downhill or have a good tailwind and don't care to go much faster than what I am doing.

Advair 100/50 Much better than the combination of Azmacort and Serevent I was taking before.

I believe this is precisely where a lower cadence has a positive effect. You'll bounce less and ride more smoothly over rough surfaces.

I like the right cadence. Try stuff out and see what works for you.

I like to spin at a high cadence of 90-100 but using my Powertap, I can definitely time-trial for an hour with higher power outputs at a cadence of 85. Don't assume your optimal cadence is always high?

Check out what Selene Yeager says about cadence on page 36 of the September 2010 issue of Bicycling magazine. (i'm not saying she's right or wrong, just read what she says.)

In order to further the discussion on this site, I wonder if you'd be kind enough to summarize it for those of us who don't take that magazine.

My hunch is that Selene will point out that all of the records for the 1hr TT have been at cadences above 100.
OTOH, if you are doing RAAM over 8days, the avg cadence is 65.
So anything in between is about right :-)
Article probably also discusses how quickly your lungs and heart can recover vs. quads after being taxed.