Question about pedalling.

[Mr. Bloom]

Another thing to remember if speed is an issue for you, is that you can often go faster spinning at a higher rate in an easier gear than you can spinning at a lower rate in a harder gear. Riding at a good cadence, then, helps a cyclist become faster and more efficient.

I don't have a cadence monitor (but I do have a computer) and this forum has openly discussed and cautioned me against my tendency to "mashing".

What I'm finding is that when I adjust my gears to maximum "efficiency" (meaning best speed with the same effort), it seems to be good for me.

When I shift too high or too low, either my speed falls off or I'm having to work too hard.

Is this a valid rule of thumb? Does anyone else look at it this way?

[Jo-n-NY]

My personal preference cadance is usually 80-85 on flats. I do not think this is considered mashing. There is a slight resistance but I am pretty much spinning. If I have a wind against me I will bring it up a notch and then my cadance might be 85-90.

~ JoAnn

[IFjane]

Mr. Silver,

That is exactly what I do. I have a candence monitor but rarely use it - I go by feel & shift up/down accordingly. I know what 90 rpms feels like and I do keep that general cadence, but I don't worry about the number, I worry about the feel & effort.

[indysteel]

Mr. Silver, it sounds like you have it right to me. I do have a cadence monitor and found it helpful when I first started riding. I refer to it less now, having developed a good feel for my preferred gearing and spin. However, since I can display two functions at one time, e.g., speed and cadence, I tend to have it "on." I like to keep an eye on it when I'm climbing because I still don't have a great feel for the ideal gearing for that.

Interestingly, my preferred gear range has expanded since the end of last year. I still find myself using the same gears as last year and spinning at (or slighty above) my usual rate, but I'm also using some bigger gears and comfortably spinning them around 85 rpm. My average speeds are up and I think it's just a matter of time before I'm spinning those bigger gears at 90-95rpm. All those spin classes are paying off.