Hey, what’s up? Jacob Here!

If you remember in one of my articles, I talked about hub motor vs mid-drive motor if you haven’t read then go check out the article. Now, there is another component in e-bike which is cadence sensor and torque sensor. And yes, these components are important to understand, what’s the difference between these 2 sensors as it will help you when buying an electric bike.

While I was researching for this topic I saw many comments on Reddit posts that the torque sensor is best overall, cadence is good for those who have a knee problem but the thing is I don’t agree with all these comments.

To find which one is best for you, you need to read this article till the end but here I would like to say I don’t feel knee issue people should go with cadence by just reading reviews on the internet I would suggest them to go and have a test drive of both the bike. There are multiple bike combinations out in the market (Hub motor with cadence sensor, Hub motor with torque sensor, Mid-drive motor with cadence sensor, Mid-drive motor with torque sensor & Cadence + Torque with mid-drive).

Important note: Motor type does not affect which type of pedal assist you’re going to get on your ebike.

Before we start the article, let’s understand pedal assists.

What is Pedal Assist?

Pedal assist is a function in electric bikes where you pedal and the electric motor is engaged by the movement of the pedalling and make your riding experience more fluid and easy.

Before it was like you can’t have pedal assist and throttle in the same bike. But now you can easily find e-bikes that have both PAS & throttle in the same bike.

Note: Both the sensors work in Pedal Assists mode.

What is a Cadence Sensor?

The Cadence sensor senses how fast you pedal and determines how much power to propel based on it. Basically, it only works when you get the pedals rolling.

How Does the Cadence System Works?

The cadence-based system can feel like it’s taking a long time to kick in and the reason for that is the crank actually has to quarter rotation to trigger the motor.

If you jump on a bike and you’re going up on a steep hill and you’re really on a hard gear it takes a lot of force to move the crank even just a little bit for that pedal-assist to read it.

What is a Torque Sensor?

The torque sensor is more smarter and sensitive it actually senses the pressure on the pedal applied by the rider and it will match power accordingly depending on the pedal assist level.

How Does the Torque System Work?

A torque-based pedal assist system which of course measures torque but how? Let’s find out.

The torque sensor belongs in between the frame and axle of the back wheel. It measures the torque, the harder you pedal the more torque this can measure and as a result you will get more power. When the rider stops pedalling the torque sensor stops seeing any flex and the electric system stops powering.

If the rider puts pressure on the pedals it will trigger the motor, even if the bike is stationary. It’s immediate and responsive.

Difference Between: Cadence Sensor & Torque Sensor

Here are some key differences between the two:

1. Natural Ride Feeling: The torque sensor is known for its natural riding feel as the cadence sensor gives an unnatural feel while riding.

2. Cost: Cadence sensor bikes are more affordable than torque sensors.

3. Battery Efficiency: The torque sensor uses the battery more efficiently. As the torque sensor is technologically more advanced it gives power output based on the rider’s input.

4. Range: It is understandable when the torque sensor is more battery efficient then it is obvious it will give more range compared to the cadence sensor.

FAQs

Q1. Is a Cadence Sensor with More Magnets Faster than a Torque Sensor?

Ans. No, it is not. The motor, battery and pedalling combination create power and determine the speed of the bike. The cadence sensor gives faster acceleration but it does have a limitation on speed depending on what pedal assist mode you’re going to.

If you want to cycle, it will take you up to let’s say 15kmph and if you stop pedalling the bike will start to slow down immediately. There is no in-between.

A Cadence sensor with more magnets doesn’t mean it will give you more power or top speed. It just allows the controller to pick up the signal faster.

Q2. Are Torque Sensors Always Better than a Cadence Sensor?

Ans. No, it is not necessary torque sensor is better than the cadence every time. As it depends on rider-to-rider, there is no denial in that the torque sensor is going to outperform the cadence sensor in many aspects. Here are my top reasons why a cadence sensor can be better than a torque sensor.

• The first and obvious reason is cadence sensor ebike is less expensive because spending $2000 on a hobby is not everyone’s cup of tea.
• Regulated pedal assists.

Q3. Can cadence and torque sensors be used together?

Ans. Yes, there are e-bikes in the market that come with cadence and torque sensors together and in some bikes, you can switch between cadence and torque sensors.

When an e-bike used cadence & torque sensors together, the cadence’s job is to handle the pedal and the torque will see the motor power delivery and it will give the best cycling experience.

Conclusion: Which Sensor E-Bike Should I Pick?

Personally, I like torque sensor e-bikes. I just love that smooth fluid cycling experience because the power delivery is more instant and feels more natural to pedal. But it’s a bit expensive compared to cadence. If you don’t have any budget issues then you can go with an e-bike that has a mid-drive motor and cadence + torque sensor which works flawlessly and gives an amazing riding experience.

Even though there are so many ebike combinations out in the market like Hub motor with cadence sensor, Hub motor with torque sensor, Mid-drive motor with cadence sensor & Mid-drive motor with torque sensor. So, I would highly recommend you guys to have a test drive to really know the difference how do they feel like and how do they ride that’s something you need to experience before buying because you gonna spend a good amount on an ebike.

Through my blogs, I can only share my experiences, pros & cons faced by me and by my fellow riders. I personally think both are fine, it just depends on your riding style/preferences.

I hope I have made a small contribution in choosing your ebike. If anything written by me is incorrect or you disagree with that feel free to comment down below or mail us at [email protected]. We will surely correct it.

Thanks for reading!