Cadence & Development Calculator

Working backwards

Development — meters traveled per pedal revolution — is speed ÷ 60 ÷ cadence. Dividing by wheel circumference converts it to the gear ratio you need, and the calculator suggests real chainring/cog pairs. This is the cog-purchase calculator: "I cruise at 25 km/h and spin at 85" becomes a specific 46/15 or 48/16.

The cadence science, briefly

• 80–90 rpm: the endurance sweet spot — sustainable power with low knee torque.
• Below 60: grinding — muscular strain climbs, knees pay on hills.
• 100+: spinning — pro territory on flats; amateurs often burn coordination before benefit.
• Knee pain rule: easier gear, higher cadence — the standard first fix before any fit adjustment.

Using it for cassettes

Check your cassette against your cadence targets: compute development for each cog at your ring, and see where the gaps land. A cassette with a 16→14 jump skips 12% — noticeable at 85 rpm as a "wall" between gears. Tighter steps suit flat racing; wider jumps suit terrain variety.