There are links on that page to places to buy the two kinds of chips needed to drive stepper motors. Follow the links and read the data sheets for the two kinds of chips. Figure out how much current each chip can supply, at what voltage. Then, choose a motor that needs less than that current at that voltage.
Or, save yourself a lot of grief, and buy a pre-designed motor driver shield/board, and get a motor that fits within that board's specs.
Once you have selected a motor, read it's data sheet to figure out how many steps per revolution. The driver data sheet will tell you how many steps/half steps/quarter steps per second the driver can manage. You use that and the steps per revolution to determine the maximum speed.
Of course, you can work backwards if you know what RPM you need.
I'm looking to update a system that used turns of a cable and converts it into a speed.
Sounds like a Harley speedometer used up to the late 80s.