Originally Posted by
shelbyfv
Is there a way to objectively establish your proper cadence w/o power measurement?
One way is to have a climb of some length that you ride all the time and you experiment with different cadences and the one that consistently produces the best time for your effort is the ticket. (For instance, I have a cat 3 climb of 5.08 miles that I've climbed almost 300 times and I have always used it as measuring stick of my overall fitness and power/speed.)
Note on an individual basis one's best cadence may vary quite a bit depending upon whether its a flat, ascent, or descent and the distance. However, once one rides enough you know within seconds in your mind what the speed or time that you have accomplished for a ride or segment of a ride.