Cadence - why has mine increased

[aea730]

I've cycled before then gave it up for a year or so and started back on the bike at the beginning of April. I did 300 miles in April, 500 miles in May and I'm up to 480 this month. I am really enjoying being out there on the bike but I've noticed that my cadence has gone up from round about 75 to 85 but equally I've noticed my travelling speed has picked up by about 1.5mph.
SO.... Am I in the right area with my cadence or should I be knocking it up a gear or two, pushing a bigger gear or just go at a rate I'm comfy at.

Where am I going to get the best improvement, I drop in the odd spell of really pushing it then backing off but most of my riding is fairly regular.

What's the general view on this and what dictates your general pedalling rate

[littleandy0410]

I tend to average about 80-85 cadence. I used to be a "grinder" (running a bigger gear and doing 70ish RPM) but tried running an easier gear and found I could ride for longer before my legs started to fatigue. That was 2 years ago, and I now spin 80-85 without thinking about it.

[Batfink]

The general rule of the roadies seems to be around 80-85rpm is about optimum.
Cadence will naturally increase with fitness I would have thought as it becomes easier to use the same gear and average speed will increase with it..

[Dammit]

Cadence is self selecting, in general - you'll go with what feels best/most effective.

I wouldn't deliberately try to push a large gear unless that was a specific training goal and I was doing at as part of a torque drill/etc.

FWIW I've noticed (on the turbo) that a higher cadence for the same power gives a lower heart rate, but that's obviously highly anecdotal.

[louiebaby]

I feel most comfortable around 90 - 100, but go up to about 110 if I'm trying to catch someone.

85 feels uncomfortable now. I think it's down to personal preference.

[thetrash]

I've just lowered my cadence and pushing a bigger gear added 1.5 mph to my average speed. Think I might have been spinning a little too much.

[upsidedownmark]

As said, it's a bit personal. I'd consider 100+ to be high, and <80 to be low - I might drop to 70 climbing. 85-95 seems to be about ballpark for most folks; my suggestion is this: If your lungs hurt, use a bigger gear. If your legs hurt, use a smaller gear. If both hurt, you're in the right gear

As to why you've got faster, to a large extent being able to spin quickly and remain effective is down to leg speed/muscle memory - i.e. you've probably just trained your legs into it.

[Mr Will]

louiebaby said:

I feel most comfortable around 90 - 100, but go up to about 110 if I'm trying to catch someone.

85 feels uncomfortable now. I think it's down to personal preference.

Pretty much the same numbers here. 85 is certainly not something to worry about.