To grind, or to spin; that is the question. Is it better to “grind” in a hard gear at a slow cadence; or to “spin” in an easy gear at a high cadence?

 

It depends on a number of factors: road and wind conditions; the rider’s strength and energy level; and maybe even his/her age. Judging from this video, spinning edges out grinding; but these guys are talking about cycling in the context of the triathlon.

 

I do know that mashing a very hard gear is not a good idea before you’ve developed adequate strength; you might blow out your knees. Such grinding also engages your fast-twitch muscle fibers, which in turn burns glycogen in a hurry; and that’s not such a great idea.

On the other hand, spinning like mad in a very easy gear is hard work on the cardiovascular system; and I, for one, start to feel out of breath quite quickly. All that furious pedaling also wears out my legs, merely because they’re pumping so fast. There’s got to be a happy medium out there.

How about me? Do I grind or spin? Many a day I average 70-something rpm during the morning ride. That seems to lean towards grinding; but much of the time I’m not forcing a very hard gear. Day before yesterday, my average cadence over 55.7 miles was 80; and I spent a considerable amount of time riding the small ring. I don’t call that grinding; but it wasn’t exactly spinning, either, was it?

Personal preference plays a rôle in cadence, too. Some riders prefer the feel of pushing a hard gear while pedaling more slowly; and others like the “lighter” feel of pedaling rapidly in an easier gear.

I don’t think about it much. I ride, and do what seems natural at the moment.