About the Cycling Cadence Calculator

Cadence follows from the drivetrain: wheel RPM = speed ÷ wheel circumference, and pedal RPM = wheel RPM ÷ gear ratio, where gear ratio = chainring teeth ÷ cassette teeth. A 50×15 gear at 25 km/h on a 2.10 m wheel yields about 60 RPM — a comfortable endurance cadence.

Cadence and Efficiency

Spinning a smaller gear at higher cadence shifts load from the knees to the cardiovascular system, while grinding a big gear taxes muscle and joints. Most riders settle near 85–95 RPM on the flat; use this calculator to find the gear that lets you hold that pace.