• The Cycling News forum is still looking to add volunteer moderators with. If you're interested in helping keep our discussions on track, send a direct message to @SHaines here on the forum, or use the Contact Us form to message the Community Team.

    In the meanwhile, please use the Report option if you see a post that doesn't fit within the forum rules.

    Thanks!

high cadence

Jun 16, 2009
44
0
0
Sometimes when I try to spin at a high cadence I find that I am bouncing around on the saddle. What am I doing wrong?
 
Feb 16, 2011
1,456
4
0
chambers said:
Sometimes when I try to spin at a high cadence I find that I am bouncing around on the saddle. What am I doing wrong?

That tends to happen at really high cadences, but to limit it make sure your saddle isn't too high, square your pelvis onto the saddle (try 'thrusting' your pelvis forward as you sit; this also balances your weight distribution on the bike and takes pressure off your hands and wrists)) and pedal from the hips by keeping your pelvis stable. Doing this will ensure your cadence is smooth.
 
Aug 4, 2009
1,056
1
0
chambers said:
Sometimes when I try to spin at a high cadence I find that I am bouncing around on the saddle. What am I doing wrong?
Practice and practice it will get better then you will find your best speed that gives you most power some people cant pedal realy fast work on 90 rpm for 30 min intervals then increase the gear untill you can do it in a big gear.
 
Jun 28, 2009
218
1
0
For me, bouncing around while maintaining a high cadence was the result of two things - my technique and my inexperience. For years I pushed a big gear but as I got older I noticed others spinning more quickly and appearing to be "fresher" after a long ride. The first thing I focused on was saddle height and setback. This is tricky and took some experimenting and patience. Still fidget with this at times. The other was a fluid motion as spinning quickly is different than "mashing" a big gear.

As others have commented, position is important in terms of where your a$$ and pelvis is situated. Working on thrusting forward, leaning over, sitting upright, etc, while still maintaining a high cadence all have to do with technique and putting in the training. After a while, I found that "spinning" was more efficient than "mashing". It just took practice.
 
May 13, 2009
105
0
0
Depends on what 'high cadence' is for you...if you mean 110-130rpm, it's likely your saddle is too high.

If it's at 140+, there's usually a bit of bouncing expected, but it shouldn't be too excessive, watch any track sprinter at speed...that's a combination of proper saddle height and practising smooth spin at speeds.