Here are three things to know about your optimal cycling cadence: 1. Power is a balance of torque and cadence. Cycling power comes from how hard you push (torque) and how fast you turn the pedals (cadence). You can raise power by increasing either, but each has trade-offs. 2. High cadence reduces per-stroke torque. Sprinters and track riders spin at 110–130 rpm because it spreads the workload across more pedal strokes, lowering the force required per stroke and making extreme power outputs more