When I’m cycling to get fit, is it better to pedal slowly in a low gear or quickly in a high gear?
Jeremy Parker, Hertfordshire

Matt Hart replies: The optimal number of pedal cycles per minute (known as cadence) for a cyclist is 85-95rpm. Most leisure cyclists spin their pedals too slowly, usually at about 60rpm, which puts their knees under far more pressure than faster cadences would. It’s also less efficient and is the equivalent of pedalling in a big gear slowly. But people who do a lot of spinning classes in gyms tend to over-spin, making them very inefficient. Spinning at 120rpm-plus is a great workout drill but in the real world it won’t get you from A to B very quickly. Lance Armstrong spins at 90-95rpm – I rest my case.