Ebike Torque Sensor vs. Cadence Sensor on Ebikes
Oct 10, 2022
iCrowdMarketing powered by iCrowdNewswire
Most electric bikes now include some pedal-assist (PAS) technology that offers users different levels of assistance as needed. Riding an electric bike with help is as simple as turning on PAS, starting to pedal, and feeling the motor engage. What, however, are the internal systems that allow these activities to take place?
Electric bikes are often outfitted with one of two sensors: cadence or torque. Cadence and torque sensors tell the pedal-assist system (PAS) on an electric bike when to engage the motor and move the bike forward. Both cadence and torque sensors may activate ebike motors and move riders ahead, but they are not the same. When looking for an ebike, it's critical to understand the differences between torque and cadence sensors and the effects they might have on an ebike's performance and ride.
Cadence or torque sensors tell an electric bike's pedal-assist system (PAS) when to engage the motor and move the ebike forward. Although almost any combination of a cadence sensor, a torque sensor, or both will work, each sensor type impacts the performance and ride of an electric bike.
So, what's the difference between an electric bike's cadence sensor and a torque sensor? A frequent argument in the bicycle manufacturing business is that a cadence sensor determines whether or not you're pedaling. However, a torque sensor determines how hard you're pedaling.
Are you looking for a pedal-assist electric bicycle? Pedelecs are typically equipped with cadence or torque sensors that measure rider activity and deliver electric power based on the type or level of activity.
What exactly is a torque sensor?
A torque sensor aids the rider by measuring the pressure applied to the bike's crank.
A torque sensor's operation
Using a strain gauge, a torque sensor determines the amount of force being applied to the pedals (by the rider). It then sends signals to the controller to release enough power from the battery to boost the rider's effort. As a result, the electric motor spins the wheel, pushing the bike forward.
Said, an ebike equipped with a torque-sensing pedal-assist system will only receive boosts dependent on the amount of effort supplied to the pedals.
What is a cadence sensor?
A cadence sensor, as opposed to a torque sensor, counts the number of revolutions of a bicycle's crank. The electric motors in a cadence-sensor pedal-assist system will only engage when the pedals are rotating.
How does a cadence sensor work?
Magnets are strategically placed around the circumference of a cadence sensor. The motor supplies power (to the predetermined peak) to the wheels each time the cranks rotate past the magnets, depending on the level of pedal assist selected by the rider.
The Benefits of a Torque Sensor
1) A torque sensor makes riding more intuitive.
Riding a torque-sensing ebike is a near-bionic experience. This is because, like a traditional bike, it requires regular input from the rider to improve its performance.
2) A torque sensor gives on-demand power to the rider.
It does not do so in the same manner that a throttle does. However, unlike a cadence-sensing pedal-assist system, where pedaling faster - or harder - does not always result in higher power output, torque-sensing PAS sends power to the rider when required.
When a rider needs extra power to climb a steep hill, for example, they can pedal — because they'll be facing resistance, pedaling will be more challenging — and the motors will provide enough power to travel up the hill.
Torque sensors have the following disadvantages:
1) They are not the ideal alternative for delicate knee people.
A torque-sensing PAS will only deliver power when the rider provides input (and, in some cases, effort that involves force). Riding pedelecs with torque sensors may strain an already fragile knee in those healing from knee injuries.
2) It is harder to reach top speed.
With a torque sensor, riders get what they put in. To achieve a higher PAS speed, they will need to put in more effort while pedaling a torque-based system than a cadence-based system, which will instantly output riders at higher fixed speeds. Furthermore, once the peak speed on an ebike with a torque sensor is reached, maintaining the top speed will necessitate greater continuous pedal effort.
3) More Effort is Required to Ride
To restate and elaborate on the issues raised above, torque-based PAS systems will need greater effort on the part of their riders to power up and reach their full potential. Finally, this component is equally subjective to the rider, activity levels, riding demands, and preferences. A torque-based PAS system is the next best thing if a cadence-based PAS system feels too easy. The sensors determine how much effort you're putting into your ride to amplify your efforts rather than overshadow them, providing you with a more natural and intuitive connection to your ebike!
The Benefits of Cadence Sensors
1) Cadence-sensing systems do not necessitate excessive effort from the rider.
When the cranks begin to rotate beyond the magnets of the sensor, the electric motor immediately engages. This makes even pedaling almost effortless.
An ebike with cadence sensors may generate up to 2000W depending on the degree of pedal assistance specified by the user — get the cranks going.
2) They are not as expensive as torque sensors.
Torque sensors are a more advanced sort of pedal-assist technology. Ebikes with torque sensors are seldom more expensive than ebikes with cadence sensors.
3) Usability
One of the most significant benefits of riding an ebike with a cadence sensor is its simplicity; cadence sensor-based ebikes require just little pedal pressure to start the motor. Riders can exert as little or as much effort as they want, and the motor will still engage, albeit at different levels. This makes cadence-based ebikes an excellent choice for recreational riders or riders with physical limitations seeking an easy way to ride.
Cadence sensors have the following disadvantages:
1) They consume your ebike's battery faster.
Cadence-sensing pedal-assist systems demand more power from the battery than torque-sensing pedal-assist systems since they rely less on human effort.
2) Feels Less Intuitive
Cadence sensors can make PAS feel choppy and counterintuitive for riders who wish to feel more in sync with their electric bikes and feel their contribution. That isn't to imply that riders can't get good exercise on an ebike with cadence sensors. Instead, suppose the aim is to find an electric bike whose PAS works with you rather than does most of the work for you. In that case, cadence-based technology may not be the best option.
3) Possibility of Less Range
The range is a crucial consideration when deciding which electric bike is best for you, and a variety of factors will eventually affect the predicted vs. real-life range of an ebike. Extensive usage of cadence-based PAS, especially at higher settings for extended periods, may deplete the battery of an ebike. As a result, the distance it can go on a single charge is reduced.
4) Requires Little Effort
This is a subjective point, but depending on the rider's activity levels, tastes, and riding demands, cadence-based electric bikes may not seem like they're putting in enough effort. Because the sensors communicate to engage the motor whenever action at the pedals is detected, riders may feel as though they are receiving too much PAS for how little effort they are putting in. Or maybe it is simply too much support for them. Others, however, hope for a complete riding experience that demands less effort!
Which is better, a cadence sensor or a torque sensor?
The answer to this question varies depending on the rider. A torque-sensing pedal-assist system would be ideal for off-road riding in most circumstances. This is due to the rider's ability to manage how they react to various riding circumstances.
When climbing steep slopes, for example, you may raise the intensity of your pedaling, and the motor will multiply your input. However, cadence-sensing PASs make this problematic.
Because you'll have to pedal harder because you'll be experiencing resistance, the crank won't complete as many revolutions as it would on a level surface. And if the sensor cannot detect significant cadence, you will not have enough power to climb up the slope.
Torque sensors aren't perfect, and they still require human input. "The harder you pedal, the more boost the motor gives" - this only relates to torque sensors; cadence sensors provide more power as pedaling becomes easier. Let me clarify.
You only need to exert significant effort on a cadence-sensing pedal-assist system when you want it to move. When the electric power kicks in, pedaling gets easier without reducing the motor's power output.
So you want to ride across town, set your pedal assistance level to 3 (500W maximum), hop on your bike, and begin pedaling. Initially, moving the pedals will require effort, but pedaling becomes more straightforward as the motor starts to supply power to the wheels.
However, this does not affect power because the motor will continue to spin the wheels until it (the motor) reaches the 500W you selected earlier.
A cadence sensor requires you to move the cranks, and the motor will do the rest; however, a torque sensor requires you to transmit the power you desire before engaging the motor.
When choosing the best electric bike for your needs, you won't have to pick between a cadence and torque sensor most of the time. This is because many newer electric bikes include both cadence and torque sensors.
A pedal-assist system that uses both cadence and torque sensors will make riding more natural and nearly effortless.