can someone please define "mash" versus "spin" for me

[Brina]

I mean, I have a general idea of the difference, but when I read about using your computer to change gears based on cadence so that you are not mashing it gets a little fuzzy to me. I guess I understand the black and white difference between the two but am a little unsure of the shades of grey.

Thanks,
Brina

[Veronica]

Mash is what you do to potatoes.

Spin is for salads.


Seriously, I don't know that there is a specific cadence where mashing begins. I feel like I'm mashing when my cadence drops below 80.

V.

[tjodit]

My thoughts are, and keep in mind I'm pretty new to all of this, you should spin somewhere between 80 and 100 rpm. If you like to spin at 90 then falling below that for any length of time would constitute mashing for you so you should shift down to an easier gear and bring your cadence back up to 90. But remember, on some steep, long hills you will not be able to keep your cadence up to a normal level.

Ladies, am I pretty close on this one?

[MomOnBike]

I'm under the impression that spinning is when you apply power throughout all the stroke, not just "mash" downwards. I hear tell that you can even spin really slowly. (Hope so!)

Cadence is another, related, issue. Of course, spinning makes a high cadence possible, if not inevitible.

[Grog]

CorsairMac is right on the technical stuff: spinning can be done very, very slowly. Still, as I see it, in general conversation, "spinning" is associated with high cadence in easy gears and "mashing" with low cadence in high gears.

Regarding using the computer: when I'm riding flats and I see 70-75 on the cadence monitor, it means it's time to hit an easier gear. So I downshift. On the opposite side, I don't need to see 110 to know that I'm spinning.

[bcipam]

I've had to teach myself to spin while riding. I have always been a "masher". I'm a big strong gal with big strong legs. It was just easier for me to muscle up a hill than to make the gearing easier and "spin" up the hill. I've since learned spinning is much more efficient.

If you understand the difference between aerobic and anaerobic than you understand the difference between mashing and spinning. If spinning, you are generally in an aerobic mode. If mashing, generally anaerobic. Of course, cycling is suppose to be an aerobic sport so mashing is not that good, although I still like to mash up short, steep hills.

I was taught to find a comfortable cadence, generally 80 - 90 rpms (you use your computer to find this) and then set the bike in a easy confortable gear where you can maintain this cadence. If you are "bouncing" on and off the saddle the gear is too easy. If you are pushing down on the pedal the gear to hard. You should be rotating or "spinning" your feet in a smooth, round pedal stoke to maintain the cadence. Takes practice but once mastered, your cycling will really improve especially hill climbing. The key is to keep your cadence around 80 if possible up a hill. Only way to do that is to lower the gearing and spin.

[SadieKate]

Mom, I completely agree with you. I think we sometimes get sloppy about how we use the terms and generally assume that when someone uses the term spinning they mean a high cadence . One-legged drills are a good example. You can't mash because you couldn't pull up on the pedal, but your cadence is very low. Therefore, technically, you are spinning because your stroke is even.

Here's my take on the definitions --

Mashing = only pushing down on the pedals

Spinning = Probably best described by Greg LeMond as driving forward with your knee across the top of the stroke and wiping goo off the bottom of your foot across the bottom of the stroke. It is very difficult to get a good spinning motion without clipless pedals.

Cadence - the speed at which your cranks/pedals are rotating.

[CorsairMac]

Thanks for the praise Grog - but it was Mom that said it! LOL

I always think of it as pedalling without resistance vs pushing the pedals. Hope that helps

[Geonz]

In our club it's a cadence thing. I go all the way around even when I'm mashing; I guess I'd grind those potatoes in a nice circle. I try to back off when in doubt, but as I've never had any issues with the knees I figure I'm okay and I'm just geared to those big gears, so to speak.

[han-grrl]

From experience, mashing is stomping on the pedals, depending on the high hard gear to propel the bike forward. think of the legs moving as pistons, up one side, down the other (repeat)

spinning has four components to the pedal stroke:
the bit of the push down, the drag across the bottom (like you are wiping mud off your shoe), the unweighting of the pedal then the driving the foot forward across the top. the unweighting is very subtle, and i have heard it described as basically getting your foot out of the way so the pedal moves up more freely. but essentially...think CIRCLES. think of drawing out circles with both feet. drills are easier to practice on a stationary bike and eventually the movements become much more instinctive. its better to think of scanning your pedal stroke as you pedal (like when you are climbing) as little reminders.

that's all i can think of...

H

[RoadRaven]

Just want to agree with the bulk of replies here...

Spinning should be/feel easy... like a spinning top, the effort is even around the circle of the spin... it should feel easy... hence the recommendations in cycling articles to change down to low gears and spin in order to save your knees.

Mashing is like Veronica said... a violent thing you do to spuds.
In terms of your legs on a bike it is grinding, a bit of a grunt, something you push your muscles into doing.

You can do both at low speed, and low cadence...
You can do both at high speed, and high cadence...

Mashing or spinning is told in how your legs work to achieve the cycling action...