cadence

[KnottedYet]

Think fast twitch=explosive=rapid cadence=high bulk="white meat".
Slow twitch=endurance=slower cadence=low bulk="dark meat."

The white meat/dark meat analogy is one most people are familiar with. Bird breasts are high proportion of fast twitch fibers, wings flap pretty quickly/have a higher cadence. Bird thighs are a high proportion of slow twitch fibers, legs tend to move slower/ have a lower cadence. (the color difference is partly due to the different oxygen handling strategies of the two different muscle fibers) Both generate plenty of power, but the power is in different "flavors."

Human postural muscles ("core") tend to have more slow twitch fibers. Human limb muscles (Get-Me-Away-From-This-Sabre-Toothed-Tiger muscles) tend to have more fast twitch than core muscles do.

Skeletal muscles in general have a mix of slow and fast twitch fibers. We're not built like birds, we don't really have white meat and dark meat, though different muscles and different people can have different proportions of slow/fast.

Back in the early 1980's I did a really fun research project on fast twitch/slow twitch muscle fibers in human embryological development. (look up Dr. Stephen Haushka for an idea of some of the work. He called my theory "elegant", and set my brain on fire. Some of it is out of date now, but still cool stuff.) Humans really do have different proportions in different individuals. Folks tend to gravitate to the sports that suit their fiber proportions.

For example: I am a slow twitch kind of gal. I broke all kinds of records for long distance in track. But put me in anything sprint-like, and I was toast. Not even in the pack. Bringing up the rear. And not right at the rear, no, I was YARDS behind. I gravitated to the long slow steady aerobic distances because that's what my body did best. I can't crawl stroke while swimming, I get exhausted very quickly and have to stop. But I can side stroke across lakes no problem. I can't spin above 80 for more than a quarter mile without needing to stop and coast or just plain stop. But I'll toodle along at my 67 rpm for 50 miles without complaining too much.

[j.nurse63]

interesting stuff, Knotted!! I was a long distance swimmer myself and always did much better than in the sprints. And...I enjoy being a masher...it is more comfortable than spinning.
I have a Ruby Comp and have begun to really utilize my gears more efficiently to get me up the hills. I have to say that my cyclometer is bare bones and I have no idea about cadence.
This is my question...I road last weekend and put in 108 miles. I am knew since April to the love of road biking. Is a computer with cadence a must?? The $$ is tight and I am now getting pedals and shoes. I am hoping to complete my first Century in September. I guess I thought that to ride comfortably was most important. I generally average 14-16. Would it improve my cycling and training?
Last question folks...do your muscles swell? I have really never experienced my calves being so tight and they feel swollen at times. I am fairly athletic but the biking has been such a new experience. Just curious.
Jean

[indigoiis]

Jean,

I ride computer-less. After you ride for awhile, you start to know yourself well enough to be able to gauge your rpm and cadence by feel. Rather than have an exact number, when I ride, I try for a rhythmic, consistent cadence whenever possible.

Also, you will get faster whether you have a computer or not. Map programs like mapmyride.com can calculate your mph post-ride.

[KnottedYet]

If money is tight and you're down to choosing between pedals and shoes or a computer with cadence, I'd go for the pedals and shoes!

[madscot13]

I think that mountain bikes tend to have longer cranks that facilitate the mashing of pedals.

I don't think cadence computers are a must. sometimes what I do and know this is not the best way to do it, but I like to avoid math while i am biking, is to match the cadence of someone who is pedaling right.

[grey]

Think fast twitch=explosive=rapid cadence=high bulk="white meat".
Slow twitch=endurance=slower cadence=low bulk="dark meat."

You know, that's really interesting. Run? hahaha. No. I took martial arts for years because I can't run to save my life. So I decided I should just disable my attacker and walk away at my leisure. I can hike with a heavy pack forever, I seem to be able to build endurance very quickly.

At any rate, it makes sense, and I'll watch to be sure I'm not jerky on the bike to protect the knees. Bad knees run in the family in the form of cartilage that just falls apart over time (listen close and my right one sounds like Rice Krispies when I bend it) - but I haven't had any knee pain yet. If anything I think my knees are better for all the riding - more muscle, less dependence on structure for support/movement.

Anyway - thanks for all the input!