Bike Cadence
564
Member
678 days
xc800runner posted 22 weeks ago.
It depends on the person. I find I'm fastest right at 87-88, but for some reason I raced at 96 over this past weekend and average power was down about 20W. My average cadence in a crit last night was 108 with a max of 125. Different riding styles in different situations.
You need to find the appropriate cadence for your body. Ulrich was renowned for hammering up hills at ~70, and raced side by side with Lance at ~100. Neither cadence is necessarily "right". Now probably isn't the best time to do this since the season is getting into full swing, but if you have a chance, go out and ride 30 min tempos at cadences of 75, 80, 85, 90 and 95 rpm averages and record speed, power, HR, RPE, whatever you have and compare which is the best for you. Then you can tweak it as needed to get the optimal cadence you can maintain at maximal power.
138
Member
393 days
dscf23 posted 22 weeks ago.
You should be fine with the current cadence. But you should perform a hogh speed session from time to time. This can be at an indoor trainer. try to have 10-15 min above 100. 3 min rest and repeat.
Daniel
709
Member
524 days
jonovision_man posted 22 weeks ago.
Long story short:
"most athletes should ride at a cadence of 88-95+ rpm"
Not all of course, you might be an exception, but personally I find most at home in that range.
jono
716
Member
669 days
CadenceGuy posted 22 weeks ago.
xc800runner wrote:
It depends on the person. I find I'm fastest right at 87-88, but for some reason I raced at 96 over this past weekend and average power was down about 20W. My average cadence in a crit last night was 108 with a max of 125. Different riding styles in different situations.You need to find the appropriate cadence for your body. Ulrich was renowned for hammering up hills at ~70, and raced side by side with Lance at ~100. Neither cadence is necessarily "right". Now probably isn't the best time to do this since the season is getting into full swing, but if you have a chance, go out and ride 30 min tempos at cadences of 75, 80, 85, 90 and 95 rpm averages and record speed, power, HR, RPE, whatever you have and compare which is the best for you. Then you can tweak it as needed to get the optimal cadence you can maintain at maximal power.
+1 I race best at 88-89 cadence. If I spin to high I dont put enough power to the pedals but this is something that is different for everone. The tempo rides at the cadences listed above are a great way to figure out where you fit in. It will take a little work to figure this out but again Im not one to change to many things once Im fully involved with my season so just be careful and good luck!
37
Member
1209 days
pkp190 posted 22 weeks ago.
thanks, all i guess i can play with this stuff over the winter and see what works.
21
Member
523 days
sulrd posted 22 weeks ago.
I was about to post a question on this topic myself. I tend to ride at about 70-75 cadence with average speeds between 21-22 mph, this is both training and races. After reading several articles and topics posted here I was beginning to think my cadence isn't high enough. I have tried a higher cadence, but my speed drops.
I don't know what to do.
24
Member
158 days
Dmoney517 posted 21 weeks ago.
I have a quesiton about this after reading this thread.
I have never given much thought ot my actual cadence. I feel like now it is time that I do so I have been looking at cycling computers. The ones at my LBS that are in my price range (< $50) don't show cadence. I looked online for wireless candence but they all seem to be in the $200 range.
So my question - What is the downside of having a wired computer? Wireless is all the rage in todays world for everything, but does it hurt you that much to have a wired cycle computer?
1816
Member
1393 days
gfd posted 21 weeks ago.
I don't think wired hurts at all. It might not look as nice but I don;t think those wires are creating any drag. My wired Cateye w/cadence was $50.
"If we help someone else up a steep hill, we get nearer to the top ourselves." ~Unknown~
~Garen~
http://baldhungariantriproject.blogspot.com/
24
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158 days
Dmoney517 posted 21 weeks ago.
Thanks gfd. That is probably the same model Cateye I was looking at.
2766
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1445 days
tri-ac posted 21 weeks ago.
Dmoney517 wrote:
I have a quesiton about this after reading this thread.I have never given much thought ot my actual cadence. I feel like now it is time that I do so I have been looking at cycling computers. The ones at my LBS that are in my price range (< $50) don't show cadence. I looked online for wireless candence but they all seem to be in the $200 range.
So my question - What is the downside of having a wired computer? Wireless is all the rage in todays world for everything, but does it hurt you that much to have a wired cycle computer?
you can expect your wired computer to "drop out" far less than wireless...nothing wrong with that at all!
451
Member
718 days
Warrior posted 21 weeks ago.
Hi, I had the same thing about 80 cadence problem is my area is so hilly I am no where near 80, I can't get there. I think about 60 is the highest I can get to at the moment. I am sure it will come in time..............won't it? By the way I don't have a bike computer yet wired or otherwise. So I am basically counting while a minute goes by on the stop watch
Dreams are the stars which charter the course of our lives. Happy the one who follows their dreams
24
Member
158 days
Dmoney517 posted 21 weeks ago.
I bought the Cateye Strada Cadence yesterday and put it on. Spun the peddles quickly and it all seems to work. Its wired, but was on sale for $30. You really can even see the wires on it so as long as it works on my ride this evening after work I am happy with it thus far for the price.
Question what is a recommended cadence for riding, i have been trying to keep it in the 80-90 range and shift as needed to keep it there. Is this good or should i be in the 90-100 range. Thanks in advance.