Ebike Cadence VS Torque Sensor The Difference & How To Use

Does the motor type have anything to do with the type of pedal assist sensors?

Now let’s start explaining the details, advantages, and disadvantages of each sensor separately, and we will start in the next part of this post with the Cadence Sensor, and then the torque sensor.

What does riding an ebike with Cadence Sensor looks like?

The Cadence sensor works by sensing the movement of your feet on the pedal, no matter how hard you move the pedal, it only senses the movement.

or in another word, it is the amount of time that the cranks spin around in a minute, the same as the car RPM.

Movement is sensed by using a group of magnets installed on the bottom bracket so that the sensor senses the movement of the magnet and sends a signal to the motor to start working.

Note: The sensor cadence works only when the pedal is turned forward so if you pedal backward the bike won’t move.

What would you do if are going up to steep hill?

Tips for using cadence sensor on Ebike.

1- Define the correct Candence for your ebike motor.

2-Avoid High Cadence.

High cadence means that your feet will be moving quickly on the bike, which means that there is no proper force coming out of the motor for the road you are riding on, in which case you will need to increase the assist system from the electric bike display.

ِ3-Avoid Low Candence.

Advantage & Disadvantage of cadence sensor.

In general, the Cadence Sensor is characterized by its low price, the lack of effort required while riding a bike, and also ease of maintenance.

The disadvantage of Cadence Sensor is that the way to ride a bike is not like a regular bike and also takes time when moving the bike for the first time.

Now let’s share the details

Advantages of Cadence Sensor

1- Low Price.

The first advantage of electric bikes with cadence sensors in the PAS is that the price is often low, and based on my personal analysis, this is due to two reasons.

The first is that, as we mentioned earlier, cadence sensors are often working on hub motor ebikes which are usually sold at low prices compared to Mid-drive motors

The second reason is that the style of riding a bike is not like regular bikes, which may be unpopular with many cyclists.

2- Low efforts.

The second advantage is the lack of effort spent when riding a bike, as the motor does almost all the effort. This may be an advantage for some people who are elderly or who cannot put much force while riding a bike.

3- Ease of maintenance.

One of the advantages of Cadence Sensor is the ease of maintenance and change, as its location outside the bike frame facilitates the process of maintenance and change

The disadvantage of Cadence Sensor.

1- Long startup time

When comparing the cadence sensor with the torque sensor, the electric bike with the cadence sensor needs at least to turn the pedal at least half a lap in order to start moving, unlike the bikes that have the torque sensor, which makes the start of cadence sensor bikes be a little slow.

2- Doesn’t feel like a normal bike.

If you are used to riding a regular bike and love the style of riding it, the experience of the Cadence Sensor electric bike will be different, as no matter how much power you add while using the pedal, the speed will not exceed the speed you set in advance from the electric bike screen.

What does riding an ebike with Torque Sensor looks like?

The torque sensor works to determine the amount of pressure on the pedal in proportion to the amount of force coming out of the motor with the pressure force.

That is, the greater the pressure, the faster the electric bike will go on the road

In general, the way to ride an electric bike with a torque sensor is not different from a regular bike in terms of riding style, as it is very similar to it.

So we will go directly to the advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages and disadvantages of torque Sensor.

Electric bikes with torque sensor are suitable for all riding styles and all roads, in addition to the speed of movement of the bike from zero speed as it uses modern technology

While the disadvantage of the electric bike that has a torque sensor is the high price and the difficulty of maintenance, as well as making more effort while riding it

Advantage of the torque sensor.

1-Suitable for all styles of riding an electric bike

One of the most important features of an ebike with a torque sensor is that it is suitable for all cycling styles.

You can control the speed by reducing or increasing the pressure on the crank. that is why you may find that most cyclists who prefer to drive on terrain or on unpaved roads prefer bicycles with a torque sensor.

2- Take off in no time.

The second advantage is that the speed of movement of the electric bike at the beginning of use, because is not related to sensing movement, as in the Cadence sensor, but rather sensing the pressure

As soon as you press the pedal, the bike will move directly at the same moment.

3- Better technology.

The technology used in the torque sensor is newer than the cadence sensor and is also better in controlling the electric bike.

The disadvantage of the torque sensor

More efforts are required.

The apparent defect in the torque sensor is that it requires effort while riding a bike, as the crank must be pressed.

High price.

The high price is one of the disadvantages that you will face when choosing an electric bike with an assistance system that depends on the torque sensor. This rise is due to the design of the sensor itself, which is inside the bike frame, as well as the technology used in it.

Difficult to maintain.

The difficulty of maintaining and installing the torque sensor is among the defects, due to its location in the electric bike, which needs special treatment in maintenance or change.

Conclusion.