When you ride a bike, there are multiple factors at play that determine how fast, and how far, you go. Most notably, your effort, or power, on the bike is determined by the force you put on the pedals and how quickly you turn over those pedals. The latter is known as cycling cadence, measured in revolutions per minute (RPM).

Ideas about cycling cadence have changed considerably over the years. Some studies emphasize that riding at a lower cadence is more economical, because it’s less taxing on the cardiovascular system. However, riding with too low of a cadence can lead to muscular fatigue. On the other hand, high cadence requires less muscle activation, but comes at a higher energy cost.

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