Calculate cycling speed from cadence and gear ratio, or find required cadence for a target speed. Essential for optimizing pedaling efficiency and gear selection.
Last updated: March 2026 | By Patchworkr Team
Gear Ratio
2.94
Result
33.4 km/h (20.7 mph)
| RPM | Category | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70-80 | Climbing | 17-19 | Steep grades |
| 80-100 | Endurance | 19-24 | Long distance |
| 90-110 | Sweet Spot | 21-26 | Group riding |
| 110-130 | Threshold | 26-31 | Performance |
| 130+ | Sprint | 31+ | Final kick |
Note: 90-100 RPM is most efficient for sustained riding. Higher cadence reduces joint stress.
Cadence is your pedaling rate measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). It's one of the three variables (along with gear ratio and wheel size) that determine cycling speed. Optimal cadence varies by discipline: recreational riders average 60-70 RPM, trained cyclists maintain 80-95 RPM, and professional racers often exceed 100 RPM during attacks.
The relationship between cadence, gearing, and speed is mechanical: Speed = (Cadence × Gear Ratio × Wheel Circumference × 60) ÷ 1000. This calculator solves this equation bidirectionally—find speed from a given cadence, or determine the cadence needed to achieve a target speed in a specific gear.
Understanding this relationship helps you select appropriate gears for terrain and intensity. Climbing steep gradients requires low gears (small front, large rear) to maintain 70-80 RPM. Descending or time trialing uses high gears (large front, small rear) to sustain 90-100 RPM at high speeds.
Step 1: Choose whether to solve for Speed (given cadence) or Cadence (given target speed). Most cyclists use this to plan gear selection for target speeds.
Step 2: Enter your chainring teeth count (front gear). Standard compact is 50/34, standard double is 53/39, triple is 50/39/30.
Step 3: Enter your cassette cog teeth count (rear gear). Modern cassettes range from 11t to 32t. Check the specific cog you're using.
Step 4: Input wheel circumference in meters. Standard road (700×23c): 2.096m, road (700×25c): 2.105m, mountain (29×2.2"): 2.29m. Measure precisely by marking the tire and rolling one full revolution.
Step 5: Enter cadence (if solving for speed) or target speed (if solving for cadence). The calculator shows the result instantly.
Scenario: You want to ride at 35 km/h on flat terrain. Your bike has a 52t chainring and 15t cog, with 700×25c wheels (2.1m circumference). What cadence do you need?
Target Speed
35 km/h
Gearing
52 / 15
Wheel Circumference
2.1 m
Gear Ratio
3.47
Calculation:
Cadence = (35 × 1000) ÷ (3.47 × 2.1 × 60)
Cadence = 35000 ÷ 437.22
Required Cadence: 80 RPM
This is a sustainable cadence for most trained cyclists. If you want to maintain 90 RPM at this speed, shift to a harder gear (e.g., 52/14).
80-100 RPM for road cycling, 70-90 RPM for mountain biking. Elite cyclists maintain 90-95 RPM. Higher cadence reduces muscular load but increases cardiovascular demand.
Mark your tire and ground, roll forward one full revolution, measure the distance. Or use standard values: 700×23c = 2.096m, 700×25c = 2.105m, 700×28c = 2.136m.
Optimal cadence maximizes efficiency and power output while minimizing fatigue. Too low (50-60 RPM) stresses muscles; too high (110+ RPM) wastes cardiovascular capacity.
Highly accurate for theoretical speed. Real-world speed is affected by wind, rolling resistance, drivetrain efficiency (~97%), and power output.
Use lower gears (e.g., 34/28) to maintain 70-80 RPM on steep climbs. This preserves leg freshness and prevents premature fatigue.
Yes. Practice high-cadence drills (100-110 RPM) for 5-minute intervals. Over weeks, your neuromuscular system adapts to faster pedaling.
Higher cadence (90-100 RPM) reduces muscular strain by distributing load across more pedal strokes. This improves endurance in multi-hour races.
Check wheel circumference accuracy, tire pressure (affects rolling circumference), and drivetrain condition. Worn chains reduce efficiency by 3-5%.
Related Tools
Calculate bike maintenance costs.
Calculate bike loan payments.
Calculate bike gear ratios.
Calculate ride speed, time, or distance.
Estimate a starting frame size.
Track long-term cycling volume.