Cadence question

[Spekstrom]

I have a relatively new Vado 4.0 SL and am curious to know how cadence affects cycling distance. Is there a relationship between cadence and range?

 

[fooferdoggie]

pretty much all mid drives it will be. because getting the motor to the optimum rpms will make it the most efficient . you get that with cadence. once you cadence starts dropping below the threshold then you lose efficiency.

 

[mschwett]

there’s a fairly wide range in which the SL motor is efficient - the sweet spot is perhaps 60-110 RPM. unless you’re really a grinder, I wouldn’t worry about it much. but generally, pedaling faster in a lower gear gets a little more efficiency out of the motor.

 

[BioWheel]

SL seems to respond well with higher cadence.

 

[Roamers]

Don't know if Specialized has a range estimator, but Bosch does. Google Bosch range estimator.

Cadence is one of the variables.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I have a relatively new Vado 4.0 SL and am curious to know how cadence affects cycling distance. Is there a relationship between cadence and range?

Interestingly, the Mastermind display of the big Vado shows your cadence by colour-coding. The speed value becomes green as you pedal past 70 rpm.

A close friend of mine has his hips ruined and he cannot pedal at higher cadence (he says) so he always grinds. The hub-drive motor of the e-bike he rides is ideal for him.

 

[Spekstrom]

Thanks to all for your comments. This is a great forum.

 

[Friserando]

With my brose motor I have four modes and depending on my legs power I can convert the output power into the motor
I usually consider 1.56 Wh/*Kg/10e+ for the autonomy of my 630 Wh cell, i.e. approximately 8300 ft climbing
*Kg is the total weight for cyclist + e-bike equipped
e+ is the elevation in meters per mn

 

[John in CA]

Shortly after I bought my Vado SL 5.0, I messaged Specialized Support and asked the same question. The reply was this: "If you keep your cadence between 80-90 RPMs and shift gears appropriately, you should get noticeably better range on your bike."

 

[Spekstrom]

Thanks!

 

[PedalUma]

Shortly after I bought my Vado SL 5.0, I messaged Specialized Support and asked the same question. The reply was this: "If you keep your cadence between 80-90 RPMs and shift gears appropriately, you should get noticeably better range on your bike."

Yes! Also focusing on smoothness of pedaling. Controllers do not like a spiky pounding. There are multiple videos on how to Pedal Like a Pro. This is one huge factor impacting both speed and range.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

In some of their material, Specialized wrote: "Cadence is the King (or the Queen)"
(Do I repeat myself?)

 

[Spekstrom]

I think I agree with that. Higher cadence also gets my heart rate into a preferred zone.

 

[kahn]

I think I agree with that. Higher cadence also gets my heart rate into a preferred zone.

The couch gets me in my preferred zone.