Cadence preferences?

Question

I have a bike computer and I alwalys have my cadence meter on the screen. After riding a few times for longer distances I have found it easier to ride in the upper 90's to 105 cadence levels. Will riding at this cafdence hurt me over time. I just feel like i am muscling it too much at lower 90's. Tell me what I should do and do the pros have different preferences on this at all? thanks

Answer 1

I'm more of a Ullrich than an Armstrong*. Prefer to pump the gears personally.

*not saying I'm as great as those two :P

Answer 2

While each rider will have their own preference of "what feels better", ideally you want to pedal around 95 rpm's.  This is going to be the most efficient cadence.  Any slower and you will be pushing too big a gear and incorporating too many fast twitch fibers which fatigue quickly and produce lactic acid.  If you pedal above 100-105 then you will be turning a gear that is too easy and not putting out enough power.  There is a fine line between being efficient and wasting energy.  Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Most hard riders in my club etc. ride 85 - 90 rpm. Ride at what you want - it's you legs but do as MR says - do a time trial at different cadences. You'll likely find lower rpm will get you a better time. But if that doesn't matter to you - do as you please.

Dudes, if I hear Ullrich and Armstarong on one more cadence question I'm going to barf!

Answer 4

I've known guys who can easily turn 120 rpm. I knew a track racer that could max out near 200 rpm. This is a preference thing. You are not going to hurt yourself by spinning. Think about it. You are doing more repetitions in an hour, but your are using less resistance.

Lance Armstrong and Jan Ulrich: I just thought I'd throw that in there.

Answer 5

that range sounds about right.  that will vary some for each of us, but that range is about where i am happiest.  now my best friend can really spin, he prefers higher even.  a lot will just depend on where your body is most efficient.

the most memorable notes on style is when armstrong was spinning away at 125 and others like ulrich rode much heavier gears but much lower rpms.  a lot just depends on your body and what it can do.

Answer 6

Yes everyone has a preference. It depends on the type of riding and the person. Everyone fits into a range though. typically 95+ to 105 is considered very fast and most people do not like it and also find it less efficient than a lower cadence. I used to ride at about 90 or so but with age I find a slower rpm - about 80 more to my liking and gives me the fastest times. I do vary cadence depending on what I'm doing. A long ride I'd likely dip below 80 but on a fast, hard 20-30 miler I'd be at 85 or so.

It's up to you in the end. But to find your most efficient rpm, time some rides using 80 to 100 cadence - your fastest time will be your most efficient rpm. My guess is you will find about 90 the best.

As far as hurting yourself - as long as you don't feel any pain you should be OK.