Cadence for large cyclists
12-10-21, 02:02 PM
#76
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There are a lot of wild numbers being thrown around, but let’s be clear about one thing: 180rpm would be very high in any track racing event.
It’s not only very hard to maintain that kind of leg speed for more than a few seconds, it’s almost certainly also well past the max power peak for even the best track racer of all-time pushing a modern 60x12 setup.
If we’re being honest and frank— and correct me if I’m wrong— saying sustained track cadences are in the 120rpm and peaks in the 140rpm range are more sensible and meaningful than statements like “180rpm isn’t even that high for track sprinters.”
It’s not only very hard to maintain that kind of leg speed for more than a few seconds, it’s almost certainly also well past the max power peak for even the best track racer of all-time pushing a modern 60x12 setup.
If we’re being honest and frank— and correct me if I’m wrong— saying sustained track cadences are in the 120rpm and peaks in the 140rpm range are more sensible and meaningful than statements like “180rpm isn’t even that high for track sprinters.”
Last edited by LarrySellerz; 12-10-21 at 02:10 PM.
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12-10-21, 03:59 PM
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I couldn’t get the image of Larry/Gabe without a shirt flailing at the cranks out of my head…then it occurred to me what probably happened. Go ahead and cue up your denial…but, you were licking up speed (because gravity does that, ask me how I know), and you essentially spun out, but being Larry, you chased the drivetrain. You weren’t actually applying any power since the hub was spinning faster than you could get the free hub to go (because there’s no way you were actually (pedaling at 172 RPM), so without any sort of resistance, you were just an uncoordinated blob of meat and bone at that point. No wonder you hurt yourself. Don’t do that. Just coast and ride it out.
12-10-21, 07:06 PM
#79
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Do you feel muscle resistance at that RPM? Like you are lifting weights kind of thing. Or just spinning. I noticed I am putting out most power if I make it just tall enough to feel some muscle resistance, but then back off 1 gear, so I am still spinning right at that edge.
12-10-21, 11:14 PM
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12-11-21, 01:54 AM
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12-11-21, 01:59 AM
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You aren’t wrong in the statement, but you are clearly not doing it right at 170+ RPM on a road, going down hill, on a gear that is clearly spun all the way out, while on a group ride. C’mon Larry/Gabe, you can’t be as obtuse as you pretend on here.
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12-11-21, 02:10 AM
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) and are pissed about dangerous riders, so im gonna be chill on the back for a while just in case they try to discriminate against me. The training was worthwhile, I can hold a cadence 25% faster than I could before I tried single speed training. I agree that I bit too much too soon, but 180 RPM is obtainable for those who want to train for it.
Last edited by LarrySellerz; 12-11-21 at 02:16 AM.
12-11-21, 02:32 AM
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#1: You can fix that, humans by nature are tribal (lots of sociological evidence to this). Insisting on being an outsider (refusing to wear a jersey, or proper bike kit is very effective at marking you as such) is not a good way to gain acceptance (again, I am assuming that is what you want). If you don’t seek acceptance by the group, accept that you will be a target for discrimination.
#2: The use of 180RPM spinning for 5-10 seconds is a niche capability that only a very specific set of riders use. Road racers, sprinting the last 200m of a stage of the TdF, Giro, or Vuelta are generally no higher than 140 RPM when spinning up, then as they shift into higher gears their RPMs drop off a bit to 110-120 (again, in general). I cannot see the use of training for something that has NO applicability to your riding, unless you're dreaming of being a track star. Again, you do you.
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12-11-21, 03:54 AM
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my group ride crashed themselves out on friday (4-5 couldn't get back on their bikes ) and are pissed about dangerous riders, so im gonna be chill on the back for a while just in case they try to discriminate against me. The training was worthwhile, I can hold a cadence 25% faster than I could before I tried single speed training. I agree that I bit too much too soon, but 180 RPM is obtainable for those who want to train for it.
) and are pissed about dangerous riders, so im gonna be chill on the back for a while just in case they try to discriminate against me. The training was worthwhile, I can hold a cadence 25% faster than I could before I tried single speed training. I agree that I bit too much too soon, but 180 RPM is obtainable for those who want to train for it.
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12-11-21, 08:20 AM
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Every time you post a new story I'm amazed by how tolerant those guys are.
12-11-21, 11:26 AM
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12-11-21, 06:50 PM
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Two separate statements here:
#1: You can fix that, humans by nature are tribal (lots of sociological evidence to this). Insisting on being an outsider (refusing to wear a jersey, or proper bike kit is very effective at marking you as such) is not a good way to gain acceptance (again, I am assuming that is what you want). If you don’t seek acceptance by the group, accept that you will be a target for discrimination.
#2: The use of 180RPM spinning for 5-10 seconds is a niche capability that only a very specific set of riders use. Road racers, sprinting the last 200m of a stage of the TdF, Giro, or Vuelta are generally no higher than 140 RPM when spinning up, then as they shift into higher gears their RPMs drop off a bit to 110-120 (again, in general). I cannot see the use of training for something that has NO applicability to your riding, unless you're dreaming of being a track star. Again, you do you.
#1: You can fix that, humans by nature are tribal (lots of sociological evidence to this). Insisting on being an outsider (refusing to wear a jersey, or proper bike kit is very effective at marking you as such) is not a good way to gain acceptance (again, I am assuming that is what you want). If you don’t seek acceptance by the group, accept that you will be a target for discrimination.
#2: The use of 180RPM spinning for 5-10 seconds is a niche capability that only a very specific set of riders use. Road racers, sprinting the last 200m of a stage of the TdF, Giro, or Vuelta are generally no higher than 140 RPM when spinning up, then as they shift into higher gears their RPMs drop off a bit to 110-120 (again, in general). I cannot see the use of training for something that has NO applicability to your riding, unless you're dreaming of being a track star. Again, you do you.
12-12-21, 02:58 AM
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As Dean V said, “A test of braveness/stupidity as much as anything else.”
The two aren’t mutually exclusive...
The two aren’t mutually exclusive...
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12-12-21, 03:01 AM
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I was mistaken in the assumption that you were aiming for the track based on your fixation (no pun intended) on your estimated 180RPM spins. My apology. However, unsanctioned fixie racing still has no applicability to somewhat organized group road riding. Wrong venue to train for it.
12-12-21, 06:36 AM
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Alley Cat/Fixie/Bike Messenger faded away about 10 years ago. It's all gravel now, bro.
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12-12-21, 07:15 AM
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The OP's nickname from this day forward should be Quicksilver. To do it right, he must ride flat pedals without any foot retention. That way, he can be footloose and dance around on the pedals while climbing the hills.
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12-12-21, 07:53 AM
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Then we could all play Six Degrees of Sup, Guys, and see who can link to Larry in the fewest Strava Flybys possible.
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