Cadence v. Torque sensors

A commonly asked question is, “What kind of sensor does a DJ bike have?” In other words, “How does my ebike know when to help me pedal?”

Electric bikes come with one of two pedal assist sensors: one called “Cadence” measures if you are pedaling, and the other called “Torque” measures how hard you are pedaling.

How does a Candence sensor work? A basic sensor works like a switch, and uses a magnet on the crank. It turns the motor ON when you start pedaling, and OFF when you stop. You control the level and speed by adjusting the assist mode up and down manually.

Most e-bikes offer a cadence pedal sensor, including all DJ Bikes. The main advantage of this sensor is that it is less expensive.

How does a torque sensor work? Torque sensors have a more advanced technology, using a precision strain gauge. It measures the actual force on the pedal, i.e. how hard you are pedaling to determine how much electric power to push to the bike. The harder you pedal, the more power goes to the motor, and the adjustments are made in real time.

Many higher-end e-bikes use torque sensors. The primary disadvantage is a significantly higher cost to the bike, as the precision component costs more.
By combining its cadence sensor with a throttle, DJ Bikes will give you all the options you need to power up for your terrain.