Spinning/cadence

[citybabe]

I'm going to buy myself a cycle computer with cadence.

I see from reading other posts that most people spin at around 90rpm. Can you explain to me how I would get to this target. Would I have to start in a lower gearing and build up from there?

I do try my best to spin but I think that really I tend to grind through the gears

Thanks

Can you recomend a good cadence computer please!

 

[Rob3rt]

I'm going to buy myself a cycle computer with cadence.

I see from reading other posts that most people spin at around 90rpm. Can you explain to me how I would get to this target. Would I have to start in a lower gearing and build up from there?

I do try my best to spin but I think that really I tend to grind through the gears

Thanks

Wait till you get the cadence sensor and have some idea of your current rpm, 90 rpm really isnt that fast, you might already be close to this without realising.

But essentially, you will shift down to a gear that you can spin at ~90 rpm and if your cadence slows by a notable amount, drop to an easier gear, if your cadence rises, shift to a harder gear, just like a cars rev counter. With some experience you will naturally gravitate toward a certain cadence and will natural shift to conserve it.

If you cant spin at 90 rpm already, then build up increasing your cruising cadence over a period of time, its really not rocket science.

I spin at about 90-100 naturally now, without any deliberate effort to learn to spin, I think it just comes with experience. I can spin quite fast when required due to riding fixed gear a lot.



edit: As for cadence computers, for me I wouldnt bother with anything less than a Garmin, for several reasons, one being that instantanious readings and average have limited use, speed, cadence, HR, time, distance, etc should be reviewed in context and cross referenced to extract most useful data, secondly I tend to look at the data after the event and only glance during, but cateye make some computers with cadence that dont cost a lot.

 

[Matthames]

Start off with a cadence you feel comfortable with. With a cadence meter you will see how fast this is. Whilst maintaining yours speed drop down a few gears till you are doing around 90-100rpm and keep that up for as long as you feel comfortable, then revert back to your baseline cadence. Just keep repeating this until you find it comfortable just spinning along at 90-100rpm. This is the technique I used and now I am comfortable on the flat spinning anywhere between 100-120rpm and on a sprint I can do around 160-170rpm. Up hills I quite often do anything around 90-110rpm, although that sometimes drops to nearly 80rpm.

 

[al-fresco]

I've heard mixed reports about cadence computers (well, not so much mixed - they were mostly bad reports). So to check my cadence I flick my computer to a time display, count the number of times that my left foot starts a downstroke in a 30 second period and multiply by 2.

 

[accountantpete]

You don't need a cadence computer as with a bit of experience you soon know to within 3-5 what rpm you are doing.

I'd start at whatever feels comfortable and then slowly work up.

 

[Oldlegs]

I use this one


http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/ro...-9-with-Cadence-Computer/CATECOMP327000000000


It's coming up to 30k miles - never had a problem with it and the original batteries still going strong - recommended!.

 

[Bicycle]

I'm going to buy myself a cycle computer with cadence.

I see from reading other posts that most people spin at around 90rpm. Can you explain to me how I would get to this target. Would I have to start in a lower gearing and build up from there?

I do try my best to spin but I think that really I tend to grind through the gears

Thanks

Can you recomend a good cadence computer please!

I cycled for years at what I now know were low cadences.

In the end I listened to wiser heads and went for around 95.

I did it (to answer your question) by buying a cadence computer at the cheaper end (Cateye Strada Cadence) and setting it to show cadence.

I ran through the gears until I hit a desired cadence and then sat at that pedal speed for 20 minutes or so... until I was used to it and could 'feel' it.

I remember thinking 20 mins at 85 was really cool.

I now ride at 95 and the use of a fixie (bad magic - do not use) has got me up to long stints at 110+.

But for sane people 95 is super-doop and you will get to it just by building up to it.

I think the only place for a third chainring is an MTB, so I do ride at lower cadences on big climbs on my road bike.

My daughter (17) went out after being told to aim for 95 and came back having sat at that cadence for almost an hour... she is young and healthy.

It took me much longer to be comfortable at 95, but take it easy and it will soon become normal.

After a while you'll get to feel your cadence and will usually guess it with some accuracy.

I like cheap computers, so I don't do for all that Garmin stuff....

 

[BlackPanther]

I do try my best to spin but I think that really I tend to grind through the gears

I tend to spin at 80-90, but imho riding at sub 80 in high gear feels like a completely different kind of work out. The occasional 'grind' surely builds up more muscle than high cadence all the time? Obviously, fast is good technique if you're in training or taking part in trials or on a group ride-out, but I like to feel like I've built up a sweat sometimes without worrying that I'm not making the most efficient progress.

I started commuting primarily for exercise so I prefer to 'spin' to work (sweat free) and 'grind' my way home. Each to their own obviously, but it's enjoyment first for me, and if you enjoy riding in a particular way, you're likely to ride more often.

 

[Rob3rt]

Spinning doesnt mean going easy, if you want a harder workout, shift up a gear or two but maintain the cadence, you will soon start to feel the burn.

 

[cyco2]

There are several factors that determines your ability to spin comfortably the main one being the crank length being to long for the leg length. The shorter crank is easier to spin.
Would you tell us your crank and leg length? If not tell what you found out on google with "crank length".
Have you experimented with different positions of your feet on the pedals?
It's also harder to spin when the saddle is set back.

 

[Kenny Gray]

Haha got to say spinning at 90 for the last couple of commutes has given me a sense of control with my cycling and i did sweat believe me. I purchased a Cateye Strada which may not be the most pure form of measuring your training but it does give you a good idea of where you are in your own personal galns.
Happy cycling.
Kenny.

 

[Moodyman]

I agree with accountant pete - you don't need a computer.

Say 'One-thousand-and-one' - this takes 1 whole second to say.

If you turn one crank when you say this, your cadence is 60rpm. 1.5 crank rotations and you're on 90 rpm, and so on.

 

[BrumJim]

Got a Cateye Strada Cadence purely to increase my cadence. Was low 70s or even worse, now is high 80s to early 90s.

Problem is that once you have improved your cadence and get a feeling of what is too slow, you won't need the facility any more, but good to check every so often.

Prefer it to the manual method that would involve so much thinking that I might fall off or hit a parked car in the way. Or fall in the canal. Cadence computer is quick and easy.

 

[Bicycle]

Got a Cateye Strada Cadence purely to increase my cadence. Was low 70s or even worse, now is high 80s to early 90s.

Problem is that once you have improved your cadence and get a feeling of what is too slow, you won't need the facility any more, but good to check every so often.

Prefer it to the manual method that would involve so much thinking that I might fall off or hit a parked car in the way. Or fall in the canal. Cadence computer is quick and easy.

I too like to keep the computer.

I find I can guess with some accuracy, but there are times when a computer helps.

Sometimes I'll be grinding up a big, steep hill in the lowest cog I have and will say 'Cadence must stay above x'.

Without a computer there'd be no fun in that game...

Actually, I've just realised there's no fun in it anyway... Bother!

 

[dirkthedaring71]

Cyclestore are currently doing 50% off a specialized cycle computer that monitors both speed and cadence. Well worth the 15 quid.