Question about pedalling.

[lacyliz]

My experience is that when I started riding a year ago I was pedaling at around 60 rpms - typical for a brand new rider. I now pedal around 80-85 rpms comfortably. You get used to it. Pedaling in a lower gear and higher cadence is definitely less tiring, especially when doing longer distances - but you'll get there. If you don't have a cadence monitor, you can just count how many times your foot goes past 6 O'Clock for 30 seconds and multiple by 2. that's your rpm. Experience what feels right for you for now- later when you've ridden more, try an easier gear with a little faster pace - but most of all, have fun. I try not to turn my riding into a stressful event full of "shoulds". It all comes in time if you stick with it. At least that's how it is so far with me.

[Crankin]

I have a cadence monitor, but i rarely use it. I am a natural spinner, so that isn't hard for me. But, I do find it hard to average 90 on the flats. I might be doing 90-100 at times, but my usual average cadence is about 75-85. Of course, every ride I do ends with a monster hill, so the average cadence is down. I tend to use the easiest gear I can, where i am still feeling resistance. Last fall I started using the big ring a lot more on flats. While it allows me to get my speed up while I draft my husband, it immediately hurts my knees. I could probably ride and NEVER use the big ring because of this, but I make myself.
I find that if I leave my computer on cadence while I am riding, I obsess on it and then it's not fun. Same with my HR monitor. I use them both for indoor training, but once I get outside, I want to enjoy myself. I seem to be able to guess quite accurately when my av. cadence is up or down from the usual.

[smilingcat]

I wouldn't worry too much about cadence now. Spin at a rate that feels natural to you.

Concentrate more on you pedalling technique. Try to even out your power through one full rotation. You shouldn't be bouncing up and down in your seat just to maintain a high cadence. Or mash the gears.

ONe quick way to know if you are mashing or not is have some one look at your upper body. If your upper body "pumps" up/down with each down stroke then you're probably mashing. If your body pumps down toward your left when your left pedal is on the down stroke (same on the right side) then you're probably mashing. Your upper body will be fairly "quiet" if you have a clean pedalling action. power into the cranks at the top-down-bottom-up stroke. Once you learn to do this without thinking about it, your endourance, and speed will improve significantly.

just ride a lot and enjoy your ride.
Shawn

[Laterider21958]

Hi again,

Thanks for all the valuable info.

I have a very basic time/speed/trip/counter type computer on my bike. I think that I am riding in a reasonably efficient manner. I have found that the more I ride, the more I am getting a feel for the gear that suits me in different situations. Have tried to count revolutions and I think I am riding around the 90/minute (perhaps slightly less) mark most of the time. On assessing body positon and movement, I don't think I am mashing, as my riding is smooth and I am not aware of any jerking body movement. I think I am more likely to jerk when I have less resistance. When I began riding I was not able to comfortably use the gears I currently use now. I guess that is an indicator of muscle develpment somewhere!

[RoadRaven]

Lots of good discussion here about cadence and rythym

If you can keep your knees tucked in as you pedal, you will find this helps with the smoothness of your stroke too.

[Geonz]

90 has always been fast for me. I'd suggest to hubby that 80 is in the "normal range" :-) I'm sure some people are happy with 100.