wrote:

Terry Morse writes:

http://www.cyclingnz.com/science.phtml?n=44

I see no scientific data or proof of this hypothesis

You didn't read the footnotes:

Ahlquist, L. E., Bassett, D. R., Sufit, R., Nagle, F. J., & Thomas,
D. P. (1992). The effect of pedaling frequency on glycogen depletion
rates in type I and type II quadriceps muscle fibers during
submaximal cycling exercise. European journal of applied physiology
and occupational physiology, 65(4), 360-364.

"In conclusion, cycling at the same metabolic cost at 50 rather than
100 rev.min-1 results in greater type II fiber glycogen depletion.
This is attributed to the increased muscle force required to meet
the higher resistance per cycle at the lower pedal frequency."

In other words, high cadence spares muscle glycogen, increasing the
time to fatigue. If two equally fit riders enter a long race, and
one rider uses a high cadence while the other uses a low cadence,
the high cadence rider will have more left in the tank at the
finish, and that's where races are won.


I spent many
years riding the low cadences that more recent riders denigrate as
"painful grinding" and sure to ruin my knees.

While the effect of grinding on your knees is questionable, the
effect on muscle fatigue has been demonstrated.

I watched Roger Millar and Andy Hampsten ride low cadences (60's) in
the TdS on hill climbs and watched Charley Gaul, Massignan, Pambianco,
and Rik van Looy on the Stelvio. None were turnng more than 60rpm.

I've seen old photos of TdF riders stopping for smoke breaks and
drinking wine, too. Yet few pros today smoke or drink wine. Those
TdS and Stelvio riders could have ridden longer with less fatigue if
they had used a higher cadence. The science says so.

If you believe this is to your advantage, I don't want to dissuade
you, but advising new riders to do so is folly. They should ride hill
climbs and optimize their ET. In that process the ideal cadence will
arrive naturally.

It depends on the new rider's goals, I suppose. If he wants simply
to ride and have fun, he can pick whatever cadence or riding style
feels comfortable. But if he wants to optimize his performance, he'd
be well served by paying attention to the science.
--
terry morse Palo Alto, CA http://bike.terrymorse.com/