What is the Optimum Cadence for Hill Climbing

[super slim]

Is there an optimum cadence for hill climbing?

My Softrider has front 22,32,44, rear 11/34, so low geared for hill climbing (parts from a mountain bike).

I like 90 for flats and up to 3%, then 80 cadence for 4% to 6%, then 70 cadence for 7% to 8%, then 60 cadence for 9% to 10%, then ?? for 10+%, but is this the best cadence?

If I have the cadence too high, I seem to loose too much momentum on the start of hills, and if too low OR the hill is too steep, my heart rate goes over 170, and my engine shuts down!

At lower Cadence it seems easier to use my arms to pull against the pedals!

Regards

Super Slim

 

[John Tolhurst]

Super Slim wrote:
At lower Cadence it seems easier to use my arms to pull against the pedals!

yes I think that is it. It seems that the optimum cadence depends on how much of your body is involved. On a longer hill I might rotate my riding styles/cadences

 

[trapdoor2]

I wouldn't think there is a generic "optimum", everybody does things a bit different.

That said, it all sounds wrong to me. I use low cadences in the flats and as the road rises, I start building cadence. In very steep climbs (9%+), I am most comfortable at high cadence...but I think this is also a function of the rider's position. The Cruzbike and I seem to work better using about 10-20rpm lower than what I'm used to on the Optima Baron (lowracer).

So, on my neighborhood 9% hill, I average 110rpm on the Baron and only 90rpm on the Conversion. I do feel I am getting quite a bit of "pull" out of my upper body on the Conversion...and I'm doing it in lower gears than the Baron's. I have to retrain my feet for the Cruzbike, I need work on my "comfort zone" cadence. I want it above 100rpm.

Your body is like a car engine. You can produce more power at higher rpm with less stress on your joints...you have a torque curve but it needs to be matched with your stress levels. Learning to "spin" has really helped my knees!