why do they Spin?

[The Mighty Boosh]

I have been on two club runs and noticed a few of the riders were in the low gears spinning away, their pace was the same uphill as it was on straight's and down hills I did ask why they did this but got no logical answer, so what is the point of this? their average speed was between 14 and 15 mph

 

[Drago]

I prefer to spin a bit. Seems to feel kinder on my knees. If anything to my eye a lot of folk seem to prod too high a gear?

 

[bpsmith]

I guess the OP's question is meant to be why do they not go faster on the flat?

I can only assume that they are cadence training and don't always ride at identical pace up, down or on flat usually.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Cadance is down to individual preference. These days it is considered more efficient to spin at a higher RPM but in the past the likes of Alf Engers and Beryl Burton set time trial records using what would now be considered monster gears.

 

[bpsmith]

Totally. If the OP had said that their cadence remained the same rpm then I could understand, but to just be doing the same speed is a bit odd. Unless they weren't.

 

[sreten]

Hi,

The better question is why not ? The alternative is mashing or something
inbetween and there is no logical "answer" to doing that either.

What is logical is whilst we think we can all mash, we generally need to
learn to spin, after that just use what ever is most effective for you.

FWIW most people can go up long hills in the saddle faster spinning
rather than mashing out of the saddle, with low enough gears to do it.

rgds, sreten.

FWIW to go fast on my folder I have to spin a high cadence.
Still can't go that fast with 66" gearing compared to 100" on
the road bike but I completely don't mind, good practise.

 

[The Mighty Boosh]

Totally. If the OP had said that their cadence remained the same rpm then I could understand, but to just be doing the same speed is a bit odd. Unless they weren't.

That is what I men't, thanks.

and this is why I only post in the beginner's forum.

 

[cosmicbike]

Cadence is a personal thing, but, and I am generalizing, you will find most road bikers pedalling between 80-110 rpm for extended periods. Of course there are times when it is much lower, and indeed higher.FWIW I tend to average about 86 rpm over a 30 mile ride, it's comfy for me and aside from trying to up it a little when going uphill it seems to be my natural rhythm if you like.

 

[Rob3rt]

They do it because they have been reading magazines and internet forums where the idea of spinning has spread like a VD.

 

[Venod]

When I was younger ( and still running a lot) I pushed big gears, I did a 60 miler @ average 100rpm recently, so I think I now qualify as a spinner, in the group I ride with we have both, needless to say when the pace picks up the spinners are the quickest to react.

 

[Joshua Plumtree]

Bit vague really. Is there really a definitive answer.

Spinning for me is an easier way to maintain a reasonably high speed for what appears to be the least effort.

However, I've also concluded that the only way for an old bloke like me to go faster on the local TT's is to be able to push a higher gear for a sustained effort.

At 54, the ol' cardio-vascular system's not really gonna improve much, if at all, so there doesn't seem to be any alternative!

 

[bpsmith]

They do it because they have been reading magazines and internet forums where the idea of spinning has spread like a VD.

I bought a Cadence meter about 6 months ago, after chatting with my bike fit guy.

I had not read magazines or internet articles, but was curious as an adding to my Garmin.

I have found it a great tool to keep me in the natural zone. Have done the same ride numerous times, with and without watching my cadence and I am faster almost every time I get up to my current natural 83-86 rpm.

At times where I have looked to maybe change down a gear, I have noticed I have dropped cadence somewhat and chose to pedal harder to get my back to my natural rhythm and found it easier to pedal than 10 rpm slower.

I am now more used to it and know the feel of pedalling too slowly and when to push harder and also when to stop gears.

People who only grind the gears, could learn a few things. Often you can go faster for less effort my dropping a gear and spinning more.

Not having an open mind seems to be spreading v just as fast it seems.

 

[Rob3rt]

I bought a Cadence meter about 6 months ago, after chatting with my bike fit guy.

I had not read magazines or internet articles, but was curious as an adding to my Garmin.

I have found it a great tool to keep me in the natural zone. Have done the same ride numerous times, with and without watching my cadence and I am faster almost every time I get up to my current natural 83-86 rpm.

At times where I have looked to maybe change down a gear, I have noticed I have dropped cadence somewhat and chose to pedal harder to get my back to my natural rhythm and found it easier to pedal than 10 rpm slower.

I am now more used to it and know the feel of pedalling too slowly and when to push harder and also when to stop gears.

People who only grind the gears, could learn a few things. Often you can go faster for less effort my dropping a gear and spinning more.

Not having an open mind seems to be spreading v just as fast it seems.

What is the natural zone? If it was as natural as the name suggests, you wouldn't need a meter to tell you when you were in it!

 

[Joshua Plumtree]

I think the natural zone is to be found somewhere between looking around admiring the scenery and blowing out of your a*se!

 

[bpsmith]

What is the natural zone? If it was as natural as the name suggests, you wouldn't need a meter to tell you when you were in it!

It's the only way I can think to explain it. It's not anything I have read anywhere. It's where I am the most efficient. Basically, it's the point where going any faster or slower in any gear requires more effort. Yes, you are spot on in that I shouldn't need a meter to find it. I found it whilst using the meter and trying out the different cadence against speed and gear choices. Now I can get into the groove without the meter being on my bike at all.

I am going to move the cadence meter onto n+1 soon though, as want to concentrate on increasing my cadence for a bit, in hope of raising my 'natural zone'.