smitchri

I just got a computer with cadence and I had never kept track before. I don't race and don't plan on doing any racing for a while. I might try a triathlon later in the summer. My cadence was around 85-89 for most of my ride this morning, 28 miles avg 18 mph. What cadence to you recomend as I get back into cycling shape? Thanks

Hipcycler

HA!

I think there are a lot of people here that would say you're already well on your way there with those numbers.

It all depends....are you a spinner or a masher?

I'm usually in the low 90's for an average ride like the one you just did.
Below 90 doesn't feel right....above 100 doesn't feel right.
That's just me.

San Rensho 

A spinner's a winner. I like to stay just above 100. For a short, max effort, I will go briefly to 130+

smitchri

I have no idea?
I am really just getting back into road biking. I commuted in philly during grad school on a bike but it just isn't the same. It is really flat here so the numbers are deceiving! I can't imagine 130+ I don't know if my legs will move that fast.
Out of curiosity, at what point does your cadence become counter productive with efficiency? i.e. more effort than speed?

2Tired2Shift

80 - 120

velorapide

Average 105 flats... 85-95 mountains...

waterrockets 

I train at 95-100 except during intensity, when it's closer to 110. I race at about 110, going up from there as needed. I can sprint to 160-165.

mcoomer

When the ride permits long stretches of flat terrain I find that I feel most comfortable in the 90-95 rpm range. For me, it seems that I can tell almost immediately when I get above or below that.

trackstar10

uh...what the f*ck. even I cant do that

60rpm

'nother

86.235

timmhaan

for flats it feels best right around 85-90. for hills i'm usually around 100 to 110.

JayC

100-110, depending on the terrain. Slightly lower when Im in a pace line.

grahny

92ish, +/- 25 rpm

cccorlew

I find myself in the high 80s but and working to spin more. I have to concentrate, but generally I feel better when I do.

powerglide

85-95 on flats
55-65 on hills....maybe I need a triple instead of my compact
(ps I'm a clyde)

iab

Uphill 80-90
Flats 90-100
Downhill 100-110

Mariner Fan

80 to 100

asmallsol

I train at 96ish on most terrain, and on long climbs 70-90. In my last race, I found myself spinning at 105-108

biker128pedal

85 to 110 rpm. Slide back and grind. Shift forward and spin. As I tire I slow down.

waterrockets 

I have track racing friends who can hit 180...

2Tired2Shift

Yes, I rode a Cadence once.

No.... twice.

ivegotabike

whatever speed produces the lowest pain to speed ratio.

smoke

flats - low to mid 80s
hills - mid 70s

i tried spinning above 110 once, but it threw me off the bike

wolfpack 

well, i'm learning to be a spinner after my recent knee injury. prior to the injury (overuse, tendonitis/bursitis) i was in the 80-85 range average. now, i've gotten it up to the 90-93 average and would like to average a little bit higher. it really depends on the terrain tho, i would think.

in a paceline, as i was today, it was around 90. haven't done a solo ride yet, probably monday or tuesday and will see what i can average.

Jay Gloab

As I understand it, piston-type engines are intrinsically inefficient because energy is wasted moving the piston back and forth (versus a turbine, for instance, which is always spinning the same direction). Since a pedalling cyclist is essentially a piston engine, isn't isn't a lower cadence theoretically more efficient, since there's less reciprocation?

(I realize that humans have biomechanical limitations, and may not be able to maintain the same power output at a low cadence, and of course mashers may have knee problems as well.)