One of the most confusing aspects of cycling is to understand what should be your optimal cadence. Having the ability to choose a cadence is something (having a bike with gears) that makes cycling unique from other endurance sports.  There have been countless studies done in the lab researching what is the optimal cadence.  It can be quite confusing, especially since the lab is not the real world.  The following is a set of guidelines that will help you understand cadence. Having this information can help you determine what cadence is best for you.