English Endurance
Power to Torque Calculator
Convert power output and cadence into pedal torque. Torque is what your legs actually feel — the same power at a lower cadence means a heavier, more muscularly demanding pedal stroke.
Inputs
Crank torque
—
newton-metres (N·m)
Torque demand
020406080100+
—
Method & interpretation
Formula
Torque (N·m) = Power (W) × 30 ÷ (Cadence (rpm) × π)
- Why it matters. Power alone doesn't describe the muscular cost of a pedal stroke. The same 300 W at 60 rpm demands roughly 50% more torque per revolution than at 90 rpm, shifting load from the cardiovascular system toward the muscles.
- Low-cadence work. Deliberately riding at high torque and low cadence (typically 50–65 rpm) is used to build muscular endurance and strength-endurance, and to rehearse the demands of steep sustained climbing.
- High-cadence work. Lower torque at higher cadence reduces per-stroke muscular load and shifts demand toward the aerobic system — useful for recovery riding and for developing pedalling smoothness.
- Reference points. This is crank torque, not rear-wheel torque, and it assumes an even application across the pedal stroke. Real torque varies substantially through each revolution.
Torque bands shown on the gauge are typical ranges for trained cyclists on a standard crank length. Individual values scale with rider size and crank length — a taller rider on 175 mm cranks will produce different torque figures than a smaller rider on 165 mm cranks at the same power and cadence.