should i worry about cadence??

foo-fighter

firstly thanks to those who replied about my tyre pressure and pumps question. I do have another question this time about cadence, i'm hearing this word alot and im just wondering is it really important to know my cadence? i'm planning on doing a couple of charity rides at some point and keep reading that cadence is important for training.If i do need to be working on this could someone please advise me on some cycle computers that wont break the bank(budget of about £40) and will measure cadence. I have been looking online myself but have no idea if im looking at the right things or if what i am looking at is any good.

Thanks

Si

racingcondor

Don't worry about it.

It's useful to train yourself to be comfortable at a reasonably high cadence and it will help with racing (reacting to fast accellerations etc) but if you're currently working up to 50 mile rides I'd just get out on the bike and enjoy the ride.

If you don't have a bike computer and want one then I'd look at one with cadence such as -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000P1OBD6/ref=asc_df_B000P1OBD62546987?smid=ACUO1ZJECDFFL&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22218&creativeASIN=B000P1OBD6

If you already have a computer I woudn't worry.

danowat

Short answer?, no, don't worry about it

Bar Shaker

I fitted a cadence bike computer and have been paying attention to it.

I think staying in the zone (78-85 for me) definitely helps endurance and speed. It is too easy to not change gear on shallow gradients, ending of tiring more quickly.

I've got Boardman's wireless computer which was easy to fit and works really well.

sub55

no

Paul E

sub55 wrote:

no

that what he said

Buckled_Rims

No, but when you're slightly more advanced, yes.

There is no magical cadence rpm that everyone is happy with. Some people have long legs, short legs, different sized legs, then riders weight and then there's different crank lengths to deal with...etc. There comes a point to each individual when a small range of cadence is both economical and efficient to that rider.

Knowing what your best cadence is you can plan which gears is best for uphills, flats downhills. It's really best if you're very serious and looking for fast times.

Other riders like me just slog away grinding, mashing, spinning whatever gets thrown at us. I have to say, apart from the turbo a cadence computer is fairly useless for me as I have to cycle in city/town traffic most of the time. But, for long rural rides it would be useful.

edhornby

next time you are out on the bike and bowling along on the flat, count the number of strokes (full revolutions) in a minute

if it's inbetween 70 and 100 roughly then you have nothing to worry about

for club riders who are cat1 racers or pro's there is possibly a requirement for tracking cadence but given your original post, nothing to be concerned about

foo-fighter

thanks everyone, i shal be getting a cycle computer in the next day or so if it has a cadance function then great, but i wont worry about it for now as where i am with my riding at this point in time i dont think it matters very much. Only question now is wired or wireless computer??

floosy

Id only worry if it were zero..

Seriously though you will find your natural cadence when youve cycled a few miles/years...

I personally spin @ 100 - 110 rpm avg.. I find i less tiring on the legs..

Dave.

Buckled_Rims

foo-fighter wrote:

thanks everyone, i shal be getting a cycle computer in the next day or so if it has a cadance function then great, but i wont worry about it for now as where i am with my riding at this point in time i dont think it matters very much. Only question now is wired or wireless computer??

You could go the whole hog and get a cadence with a HRM, now that might be very useful as many on here (myself included) have a HRM to keep an eye on our max bpm.

Although I don't have a cadence computer it would make much more sense to have that package, rather then just a cadence.

EarlyGo

foo-fighter,

At our level (novice) I don't think there's a huge requirement for a top of the range computer. As several others have said, if you want to know your cadence then just count the number of times your leg goes round for say 30secs then double it to get your cadence. Somewhere between 75 & 100 is apparently fine. It's been proven more efficient to spin faster rather than struggle pushing a big gear. It can take a bit of practice to raise your cadence and make it more efficient because it feels weird to spin faster than you're used to. However, I can vouch that it's worth it!

Wireless or non-wireless? I'd go wireless, it looks much neater. Top tip: buy your replacement computer batteries at Tesco etc, they'll be about half the price of your LBS.

Regards, EarlyGo

blade8

i dont know if it matters or not , but i bought a boardman of ebay for 30 inc post just in case it dose,, even if it dont the boardman computer is a good one to have anyway

danowat

At which level should one (cadence sensor) be a requirement then?.

Ok, I am not fast, but I don't do badly in any races I do, and TBH, I can find no beneift or advantage to knowing what cadence I am doing, I already know, if my cadence drops, I change gear, if my cadence goes to high, I change gear, its not rocket science.

FTR, I do have a cadence sensor, but for me, the data from it is junk.

Slack

Cadence is important at any level of road cycling - it promotes good pedalling technique and form!

You will eventually however find your own bodies comfort levels for cadence, and will work out what works for you.

My cadence sensor I find really helpful on long and fairly steep climbs, as it helps me maintain a steady output.

danowat

But my point is, would your cadence be any different if you didn't have the sensor?

Your second paragraph basically negates any need for an external device to tell you your current cadence.

jefflad

I find it makes me go faster, know when it's appropriate to change gear up or down and has increased my stamina. However, I've noticed I watch it a lot and maybe not fully aware of what's going on the road :oops: but on the other hand I think it's a great aid and am currently looking at getting another one for my second bike. I found a cheap one on Tesco Direct but not too sure if any good.

J

Fat-Boy-Roubaix

I was in the camp of "useless information" until I got my Garmin pack, and when I glance down its normally Cadence I look at first, the most use it has helped me find the right style for me going up hills. I also think it helps me make best use of the gearing too.

Avezius

I found myself grinding in a harder gear than my friends on group rides & have concentrated on spinning more.

I still don't spin as fast as some of them (it has taken a long time to educate myself), but making sure I keep my RPM higher definitely helps me with muscle fatigue. What the actual number is? not sure. I will upgrade to a cadence sensor eventually but only really because I like storing lots of data!

Personally, I decided a heart rate monitor was more beneficial initially as it tells me how hard I'm working, which is far more important for me.

Dan

ps- I broke the bank & went for an entry level GPS (Forerunner305). £100, but I love the ability to plug it in & download all the details automatically. Makes recording info & analysing it (just for fun) much more pleasant.

gary.hounsome

I have a Cateye Strada Double Wireless. I have found the cadence function useful to know what i feel comfortbale cycling at and when. I still use it as a guide as to when and what gear to spin. I usually keep up around 90-110 rpm.