How do you use your cadence monitor?

[Veronica]

My cadence monitor does not average in coasting.

Sometimes I use mine on a climb to work on spinning and strength. I will climb up Mount Diablo (6 miles to the Junction 5 - 8 % grade) working on keeping my cadence above 90.

I always find it helpful when doing a Spinervals session.

V.

[Jo-n-NY]

Me also, I watch my cadence more when working out to in my case, the Carmichael DVD. When riding outdoors, I every once in a while look at it just to see "about" what I am doing but ride on my bodies own agenda, and not let the computer overall dominate my ride.

[equus123]

here's a little science behind cadence and why candence is important - if you choose to use it. not a big deal if you don't

the big thing with cadence can best be seen between Jan Ullrich and Lance Armstrong. Jan is known for his low cadence riding and climbing whereas Lance is well known for his high cadence - especially climbing.

if you're pedalling a hard gear and your cadence is lower, your speed (i use the word speed loosely) is more of a result of the power from your legs into the pedals. power is predominantly a function energy and strength.

spinning at a higher cadence is more aerobically based and requires much less power and therefore less energy at a given speed than someone riding at a lower cadence.

of course personal preference as well as genetics (i.e. dominant muscle fiber makeup - slow twitch vs. fast twitch) plays into how fast or slow you pedal and which is more comfortable for you.

but it really boils down to: if 2 people are riding at a given speed or pace, the person pedalling at a higher cadence (of course within reason, let's say 95 rpms) is putting out less energy than the one riding at 80 rpms. this is very important in racing because in almost any case, the person who saves the most energy has the best chance at winning - all other factors aside.

hope this helps

[Grog]

My cadence monitor has been broken (wires) for a little while so I haven't been using it. However I much enjoyed it back in the days. I find that when I'm not paying attention and becoming tired, it's often related to my cadence dropping to the 70s. When I notice it, I downshift to an easier gear, spin at about 90rpm, and my morale is on the rise again!

I think I'll work on fixing it after my race this weekend.

[7rider]

I focus on cadance more on the rollers than on the road. On the road, I suffer from "TMI" - Too much information - with my Garmin, so it's there for me to peek at every so often, but I try not to think about it. I used it initially to help me learn the "feel" of certain cadance levels I was aiming for (around 90 rpm, ususally) and to try to keep my cadance up on those long slogging uphills.

[PinkBike]

i'm with equus, i always want to know my cadence. i mostly use "perceived effort" at a specific cadence to gage how hard i'm working, so i keep my cadence above 90 and work on a sustained effort at that pace.