How do you calculate speed from cadence?

Speed is calculated as: (Cadence in RPM × 60 × Development in meters) / 1000. Development equals the distance traveled in one pedal stroke based on your gear ratio and wheel circumference.

What is an ideal cycling cadence?

Most professional cyclists maintain a cadence between 85 and 95 RPM. Lower cadences (60-70 RPM) can lead to muscle fatigue, while very high cadences require more cardiovascular effort.

Does gear ratio affect cadence-to-speed conversion?

Yes. For a fixed cadence (e.g., 90 RPM), a higher gear ratio results in an increased speed because each pedal stroke travels a greater distance.

How does wheel size impact road speed?

Larger diameter wheels have a greater circumference, meaning they travel further per revolution. At the same cadence and gear ratio, a larger wheel result in higher speed.

Cycling & Performance

Cadence to Speed Converter

Predict your velocity. Map your pedal RPM to road speed across different gears and wheel configurations.

Input Variables

Cycling Cadence

RPM

Chainring

Rear Cog

Wheel Type

Velocity Output

Standard Speed (Metric)

38.4 km/h

Standard Speed (Imperial)

23.9 mph

Cadence Physics

Pedal cadence (pedal rotations per minute) is one of the two primary ways to adjust your speed, the other being gear selection. By increasing either your cadence or your gear ratio, you travel further in the same amount of time.

The Speed Formula


                    Speed = (Cadence * 60 * Gear Ratio * Circumference) / conversionFactor

Gearing and Efficiency

Grinding vs. Spinning

"Grinding" refers to a low cadence in a hard gear, which places high stress on muscles. "Spinning" refers to a high cadence in a lighter gear, which shifts the load to the cardiovascular system. Finding the right balance is key to endurance.

Track vs. Road

Track cyclists often maintain extremely high cadences (120+ RPM) because they use a single fixed gear. Road cyclists have the luxury of switching gears to maintain a steady cadence regardless of the terrain gradient.