Cadence - female v male riders

[Catrin]

When it comes to cadence, I think everyone has their own preferences. I tend to fall on the opposite side of the spectrum from most folks. I can't seem to hold my cadence at a steady pace if I'm above 90rpm's. My legs prefer a slower cadence, with a bit more "push". According to my cycling computer, I tend to have an average cadence in the high 70's to low 80's. I simply do not like the feeling of spinning out of control...feels like my legs are just flailing around. Plus I hate the feeling of not really getting anywhere...feels like I'm not progressing forward and just staying in place.

I am learning that I am the same way - right now I am having to learn the best gears that will keep me where I want to be (between 75-90 rpm) without putting too much pressure on knees and quads. I've learned that I want to stay in too hard of a gear for some reason - probably because I like to feel the resistance - but I don't want to blow my knees out. My saddle is too low which doesn't help with this but it is slowly going up. Millimeter by millimeter...

[dlolide]

Hi Nat,

I ride a lot with my husband too. He is of course a lot faster than me. He's been cycling since his teen years and I've only starting cycling last year. Anyway, he had observed my cadence and he thought I was spinning too fast. He told to slow it down and just push harder. I tried and it did not work for me, the lactic acid in my legs was awful. I agree with you in catching your breath instead of having "dead legs" at least we can finish what we started that way. Once I told him I couldn't handle a harder gear, he said just pedal what feels most comfortable. I do and it works for me. So do what works for you and what won't burn you out.

[limewave]

When I first started mountain biking, I rode in my "granny" gear all the time. If I tried riding in the middle ring I would blow up after just a mile or two. I would catch a lot of flack for this from everyone--the women and the men I rode with.

Finally, towards the end of the season, I decided to try the middle ring. And I could finally do it! And keeping up with everyone was suddenly very easy.

Just hang in there, do what is comfortable for you. It may not be a men vs. women thing but fitness level or even riding style.

[Owlie]

My boyfriend's faster than me. He should be. He's been riding for a while and has a much nicer bike than I do. He also likes the higher gears. He's a spinner, but he's been doing this long enough that (when he rides regularly), he can spin in harder gears.

Me, I like the 75-90-something cadence range (a guess, as I don't have a cadence function), if it's flat. I'll quite happily spin up hills, though.

[bathedinshadow]

Having a high cadence is perfectly acceptable. In fact, I would say that most serious riders would tell you that is the "proper" way to ride. I don't know if that's true as all riders are different. But there is some logic behind it and if you're riding for hours and hours, I can definitely see the benefit. I was very much encouraged to ride in a lower gear with a higher cadence due to having knee surgery. It is better on your knees even if you have healthy knees. With that said, I'm not a spinner. I never have been and I probably won't ever be. I have asthma and spinning really takes a hit on my lungs. I have very strong legs though and can push a harder gear and get somewhere in the same amount of time without having an attack. So that's what I do.

Spin away! As long as you don't have any medical issues (like asthma), your lungs will eventually get stronger anyway.

[zoom-zoom]

With that said, I'm not a spinner. I never have been and I probably won't ever be. I have asthma and spinning really takes a hit on my lungs. I have very strong legs though and can push a harder gear and get somewhere in the same amount of time without having an attack. So that's what I do.

Spin away! As long as you don't have any medical issues (like asthma), your lungs will eventually get stronger anyway.

That's interesting. I have asthma, too...which is sometimes exacerbated with exercise. My lungs REALLY protest if I am in too hard a gear (for me). If I am <85-90rpm for too long it almost always ends in a bad coughing fit. But I can cruise along at 90-100rpm for hours without incident. Hills are tough for me. I like the progress I have seen on hills, but I have a hard time making myself purposefully do hilly workouts, since I know it's likely that I am going to have breathing issues, so repeats are kind of out-of-the-question, unfortunately.

[bathedinshadow]

That's interesting. I have asthma, too...which is sometimes exacerbated with exercise. My lungs REALLY protest if I am in too hard a gear (for me). If I am <85-90rpm for too long it almost always ends in a bad coughing fit. But I can cruise along at 90-100rpm for hours without incident. Hills are tough for me. I like the progress I have seen on hills, but I have a hard time making myself purposefully do hilly workouts, since I know it's likely that I am going to have breathing issues, so repeats are kind of out-of-the-question, unfortunately.

I don't actually even know what my cadence is. I got a computer a while back, but I passed on the cadence since it's not really important to me. So I could be spinning faster/slower than I think. The difference might just break down to our strengths. Sounds like your cardio is a bit better than mine. I have freakishly strong legs. I always choose rides that are quite hilly. I guess this just goes to show that there is no "right" way, but rather what works best for the individual with consideration to their strengths/weaknesses.