For the slower-cadence folks

[Shannon Menkveld]

In searching the list archives for things about Sturmey-Archer hubs, I ran across some posts from people who don't like to pedal with a higher cadence.

There are lots of reasons why one might choose to ride this way. Physiology, previous athletic experience, (pedaling a bicycle is just really, really different from anything else that any human ever does with their legs,) and feelings of control have all been mentioned.

None of those reasons are wrong.

But, for those who ride this way, I'd had a thought as soon as I read the posts:

Biopace.

Shimano designed the 1st-gen Biopace rings, the ones with the yellow stickers, on the assumption that recreational riders pedaled slowly. Since non-round chainrings have to be designed for a particular cadence range, Shimano's engineers had to pick one, and IIRC they picked 70-80 rpm.

I've spent some quality time on Biopace rings, and I think they nailed it... they worked great... for a way that basically nobody who was buying bike-shop bikes in 1987 rode bikes. For me, they worked best just below the point at which I'd stop spinning and start 'ankling.' (For those younger, that's the 'scrape mud off your shoe' pedaling style.) At my preferred flatland cadence, they felt really weird.

Can anybody in the slow-pedal gang tried this, and if so, am I right?

--Shannon