Do I want cadence on my computer?

[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! 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.