Wondering about cadence?

[Kano]

I didn't buy this capability when I got my computer -- how do they measure cadence? Is there a separate wire for that? I wouldn't think it would work right to use the same hardware that's measuring how fast the wheel is going around!

I've thought about it -- didn't really know much about any of it when I bought the computer, but figured I could buy a really inexpensive one to use to keep track of SOMETHING until I knew just what I wanted to be keeping track of some day!

Geonz, you mention sore knees from "mashing" -- I've noticed this and fortunately, I found you all and read about this spinning in lighter gears thing (and my legs thank you!!!!!) and in trying it out, I learned that it's a good thing, and after a few warm up miles, I start to feel like I could go forever. Without a way to count at this point, I can't even begin to guess what my cadence is, but I like the "process" a lot.

Oh yeah -- editing and re-editing, I've remembered just what my question is:

(I hate when that happens -- typing away and suddenly wondering what my point was! )

Sometimes, at a pedaling rate, one gear is seems too light, like I'm pedaling "crazily," (think granny gear going down hill) and the next gear just a bit too heavy. Is there a right way to deal with that? What I've been doing is slowing my cadence a bit and working in the slightly harder one, which is easier at the little bit slower rate.

(and I still do some mashing now and then, and it always seems like a good idea at the time!)

Karen in Boise

[fatbottomedgurl]

Karen in Boise (there is no "Z" in Boise)

I don't have a cadence set-up on my computer so I just look at the clock and count revolutions for 15 seconds and multiply by four.

[Kano]

Karen in Boise (there is no "Z" in Boise)

I don't have a cadence set-up on my computer so I just look at the clock and count revolutions for 15 seconds and multiply by four.

You can count seconds AND revolutions AND ride at the same time? WOW!

( We got "there is no Z in Boise lessons" from Earl's boss before we transferred out here. People could still tell we weren't from around here )

Karen in Boy-see

[betagirl]

I'm most comfortable around 85 rpm. I know you're supposed to spin, so I try to keep it above 90 whenever possible. I think the highest I ever went was 108 rpm, but that was kinda crazy for me.

[Geonz]

On my bikes without the cadence thingy (which indeed, has a different wire and goes with speedometers that hook up to the rear wheel; I got it so I could see how "fast" I was going on the trainer, and that's *really* a meaningless number except compared with itself!), I don't try to do fifteen seconds and all that (though it would be good anti-Alzheimer's training, I'm sure)... I do figure that one full cycle (left-right) in one second is 60 rpm, and left-right-lefgt is 90 rpm, and try to get a little closer to 90 than 60. If I am really getting carried away I see how quickly I can "lap" myself, and then try to figure out what ratio to use to calculate rpms from that... but that's getting dangerous...

[maggiedatongue]

I didn't buy this capability when I got my computer -- how do they measure cadence? Is there a separate wire for that? I wouldn't think it would work right to use the same hardware that's measuring how fast the wheel is going around!

Yes, there is a separate wire and sensor that you install by your pedal to measure the revolutions. I have this one.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1152283292828

Maggie