How to find the right cadence rate

[Sharky]

You are fixing the wrong variable. Cadence is not an independent variable. If you change from a very short crank to a very long one, your cadence will not be the same. Your power output and work-rate will not vary, neither will your speed, because you can vary the gear ratios. At you increase crank length, you get an effective lower gear but in practice riders compensate automatically by selecting a higher cog ratio.

Agree with this, but there is one more variable with different crank lengths. That is, saddle height, the angle at the knees and the angle at the hips. Shorter cranks reduces the knee angle and opens the hip angle. Both of these can make the pedal action a bit more efficient and you may be also able to achieve a more aero position.

 

[2IT]

You are fixing the wrong variable. Cadence is not an independent variable. If you change from a very short crank to a very long one, your cadence will not be the same. Your power output and work-rate will not vary, neither will your speed, because you can vary the gear ratios. At you increase crank length, you get an effective lower gear but in practice riders compensate automatically by selecting a higher cog ratio.

True. Agreed. So why go to a longer crank where your legs will be riding up into your chest on the upstroke?

Going to a shorter crank allows me to pedal more smoothly since I'm not feeling squished at the top of the pedal stroke. Plus cornering is easier. Also seems like climbing out of the saddle is easier perhaps because a short lever is more manageable.

I used to train over the winter on a fixed with a short crank. One can switch to a shorter crank without effecting cadence negatively just by shifting the gear. Agreed.