Do I want cadence on my computer?

[mayanorange]

Looking into a computer, but I don't know if I should get cadence or not. LBS fitter said it's good on the trainer in the winter, but I hate wires everywhere so was going to go wireless (but can't afford wireless cadence). What's the benefit to cadence? Pushing yourself harder?

[bounceswoosh]

I like cadence because it's a decent gauge of my effort level. I can tell if I should be shifting up or down, before I notice the difference in effort myself. On my commute rides, I tend to get distracted and slow my pedaling gradually; seeing my cadence keeps me pedaling at a decent rate.

[Becky]

I like cadence for hill-climbing. It helps me focus on spinning rather than mashing, and I really miss it if my sensor moves and I lose my cadence reading.

I also use it for Spinervals DVDs on the trainer to ensure that I'm correctly doing the workout.

I have this wireless (both speed and cadence) computer: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=22428&item=40-3566&slitrk=search&slisearch=true Yes, it's quite pricey, but I've been so happy with it.

[OakLeaf]

I think it's useful on the flats and downhills, too. You can practice spinning at a very high cadence, and also know when you're unintentionally spinning up higher than you want to.

[NadiaMac]

I think cadence is an optional feature. Sure, it's nice to have, but you can also estimate it using your computer clock and counting. It's easy to see whether you are at or below 60 rpm, at or below 90 rpm, at or below 120 rpm, etc, by counting ~ 1, 1.5 or 2 revolutions per second. After a while of doing this on the trainer, I am actually pretty good at estimating ballpark cadence while on the road. (I've verified this using a powertap wheel occasionally while on the road).

[mayanorange]

Can you just mount the wireless speed transmitter on the rear wheel for use on the trainer?:confused:

[Becky]

Can you just mount the wireless speed transmitter on the rear wheel for use on the trainer?:confused:

Depends on the wireless computer. Some use low-powered analog signals that won't reach that far. Digital wireless computers generally have stronger signals and can be seatstay-mounted. Check the computer's specs to be sure.

My VDO has, according to the manual, a transmitting distance of something like 5 feet. An analog computer may only have a transmitting distance of ~20 inches.

Hope this helps!

[TxDoc]

Looking into a computer, but I don't know if I should get cadence or not. LBS fitter said it's good on the trainer in the winter, but I hate wires everywhere so was going to go wireless (but can't afford wireless cadence). What's the benefit to cadence? Pushing yourself harder?

I cannot speak of the trainers because I do not use them - I use rollers in winter. But as per cadence - it is not necessary if you want to save some money and the wired models bother you. One option, if you have more than one bicycle, is to mount a cyclocomputer with cadence on one of them (your training bike), and regular wireless computers on the others. That is what I did: only one of my computers has cadence, and I have it mounted on my training bike. I like it because it is a good surrogate measurement if you do not have a power meter. I have used power meters in the past and now I sort of have an idea of my power output at a certain cadence and gear ratio - so to speak. So if you see your cadence when you train, soon you will start to develop a 'feel' for your rpm range, and when you ride a bicycle that does not have cadence you can still guestimate your cadence pretty accurately.
The wire is a hassle but if your LBS mounts the sensor properly it can run really close to the frame and you do not really see it. The cadence cyclocomputer I have is wireless with wired cadence, and the wire cannot really be seen except for the part on the chainstay and the segment connected to the computer mount. And again, if it's on your training bike instead of your main bike, the look is not really the most important feature.
Not sure it helps but the one I bought is a Blackburn and it was fairly inexpensive, less than $100.
Good luck!

[Flybye]

I have this one:

http://www.masherz.com/products/sigma/bc1606ldtscadence.htm

It's wireless, fairly inexpensive, has cadence, and I LOVE IT.

I love the cadence meter for many reasons but mostly for the same reason bounceswoosh does. I use my energy more efficiently with cadence than without.

I won't get another computer without cadence. If you don't go out to eat a couple of times, you have the difference in $$ between a computer with cadence and one without (Sigma anyhow, not sure about Cateye but they are generally more $$ than Sigma).

What type of riding are you doing? That might make the difference as to whether you would use the cadence feature or not.

[Flybye]

Here it is for even cheaper!!!

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___57752?CS_003=2476481&CS_010=57752

$31.99 - HOLEY MOLEY - that's not what I paid............:(

I got take to the cleaners!

It is the exact model on the Campmor site but in the description is does not say that it is wireless. I think I'd call to make sure first.

[mayanorange]

TxDoc- That's a great idea, but requires an additional bike! That's a bit more than shelling out for wireless cadence. ;) I just throw my bike on a Cyclops occasionally

Flybye- I have a roadie and am aiming for the MS 150 next June. Currently at about 15 miles- 10% there! :D Oh, and I think that one on campmor doesn't have the cadence

[TxDoc]

TxDoc- That's a great idea, but requires an additional bike! That's a bit more than shelling out for wireless cadence. ;) I just throw my bike on a Cyclops occasionally

Oooops! sorry! :o I guess I got a litle confused... Then I would say go for the Sigma, it's a very good computer and much cheaper than Blackburn or Cateye.

[RoadRaven]

To what purpose to you want a cadence counter?

Are you intending to race and want to work towards increased cadence in certain gears and therefore increased speed?

Is it because you are interested in how fast you can make your legs go?

Is it cause "everyone" seems to have one so maybe you should too?

Is it cause you think its a cool idea or cause you like to record stats?

'puters with cadence counters tend to be a tad more expensive, and are more difficult to mount on a road bike as the need to be rear-mounted.

I use a cadence counter on my training bike only to try and improve my spinning - but I only measure that on certain rides. People can get quite obsessed with cadence counting and sometimes it is better just to ride to what your body can do - ride to "perceived effort".

I wouldn't bother with one on an indoor trainer either - unless you had a specific purpose in mind wth your cadence workouts.

So, I suggest you identify why you need one, and make your decision based on that.

[mayanorange]

Are you intending to race and want to work towards increased cadence in certain gears and therefore increased speed?

Is it cause "everyone" seems to have one so maybe you should too?


Unless 'intend to race' is equivalent to 'attempt to keep up with hubby' (which it may be), then no. More likely the everyone has one, DH is insisting he wants it. I think I just want a speed and distance really.

Thanks everyone for your input!

[TxDoc]

Unless 'intend to race' is equivalent to 'attempt to keep up with hubby' (which it may be), then no.

That IS racing!!! or at least it feels like it when I try to keep up with my boyfriend... Ok so you definitely need cadence!
:)

[MrsB]

I have the Cateye Astrale 8 bike computer with cadence. I really love it for I am a loner when it comes to riding. I do ride with hubby on the weekends but I get very frustrated when I cant keep up with him. Alot of time its just my head getting in the way. Head case when it comes to competition. Anyways I like to challenge myself. Im always trying for better time/speed on the routes that I take. Makes me feel pretty good when I get back and find that I rode faster than usual. I am working on the cadence part of riding. I usually stay around 75-80. Except on hills. Oh yeah, Myanorange, I can relate with the whole spinning like crazy while the hubby just coasts by. Drives me absolutely nuts! I try and tell him its because im rolling on 650x23cs. It's gotta be the reason. LOL. He can't possibly be stronger!

[Geonz]

I had cadence on one of my bikes, and then I put the Xtra on it and never got around to replacing it. I've got theclock going in front of me and I know that left-right-left in one second would be 1.5 times per second or 90 rpm; if it's 1-2 that would be 60... so I can calculate when I need to and get an approximation.
I also don't handle wires too well... one of mine is on the fritz and I've no idea why. (On the other hand, the distance between my wheel and the handlebars is too much for wireless and I don't really like them anyway 'cause thery're so much less dependable - they give max speeds like 60 mph.)
I kinda like keeping things simple myself.

[KSH]

I started out with a bike computer that didn't have cadence. The bike shop said it was for racers, not someone like me.

So off I went on my bike. I had no clue how to shift, when to shift, why I would want to shift. I just rode and mashed the h@ll out of my pedals. Rode with low cadence and just mashed even harder and faster to get more speed on the bike.

Then 6 months into riding I had such accute knee pain I couldn't even pedal. I never got knee pain like I had from riding...from running!

I then learned about cadence. I learned that if you can keep a high cadence of 90-100 you will save your knees. Great!

So I got a new bike computer with cadence and focused on keeping my cadence between 90-100. It was hard but I finally got use to it.

My knees got better... and I got faster on the bike. I also learned WHEN I needed to shift! 80 cadence? Better shift to make it easier. 110 cadence? Better shift to make it harder.

After that it all just clicked. Honestly, I can't believe it took me a year to get it to click. I was a slow learner. And someone told me that cadence was not necessary. But for me, it made all the difference in the world.

Good luck on whatever you decide!

[mayanorange]

Hmmm maybe I do need cadence afterall. It would be nice to keep up with hubby a little easier. And I tend towards mashing, so it'd help to learn to spin. Hubby issues are 1. he's stronger 2. he likes to fly along and gets antsy going slow and I sometimes like to just roll along the countryside and enjoy it (heaven forbid!) 3. he has a mirror, but doesn't seem to check to see where I am.... ever.... I think most of the problem is #2- mindsets about riding. He tends to have to perfect sports and likes to push himself. I, OTOH tend towards lazy, tho tend to push myself when alone- no one to enjoy to view with. Our last outing he did stick with me a bit more and take in the sights, but it would probably help us both be a bit happier if I can work on my speed.

[bounceswoosh]

Maybe you just need to ride separately sometimes, so that you can do your cruising-along thing and he can do his pushing-himself thing.

My husband and I have a similar situation, although it's more about degree; he and I disagree about how much I'm pushing myself!

[mayanorange]

We do ride separately most of the time- we just haven't figured out how to ride together yet I guess!

[TxDoc]

Hmmm maybe I do need cadence afterall. It would be nice to keep up with hubby a little easier. And I tend towards mashing, so it'd help to learn to spin.

Yes, if you are sort of a masher then cadence will help you a lot. So I'd say go for it. :)

[mayanorange]

Alright, just ordered 2 Cateye Strada cadence comps for us. Will let you know how it goes! Thanks again guys!