ARCC Bikes and E-Bike Sensor Technology
Lots of electric bikes rely on sophisticated sensors to determine when motor power is needed to assist the cycling action of the rider. There are two main types of e-bike sensor - cadence sensors, which measure the rate of pedalling, and torque sensors, which measure how hard you are pedalling.
According to e-bike experts, ARCC Bikes, the type of sensor fitted to an e-bike is often overlooked in lieu of other 'more exciting' specifications like wattage or battery size. However, the type fitted can have a drastic effect on the riding experience.
Cadence Sensors - What are they? What do they do?
The most widely available sensors for e-bike are those which measure cadence, using data collected from the crankset to indicate when and how fast the pedals are moving. On a cadence-sensor e-bike, the motor will apply a specific amount of power depending on pedalling speed and selected pedal assist level (if your e-bike is fitted with a control).
Cheap, easy to fit and replace, the problem with cadence sensors is that their responsive power delivery is not always reliable, kicking in at times it is not really needed. For example, when riding downhill, the motor will apply unnecessary power if the rider is also pedalling slowly.
In other instances, only a little bit of pedal movement can give a big surge of motor power when a high assist level is selected, so cadence sensors tend to feel a bit jerky. Additionally, if a low assist level is selected when tackling a steep climb, the assist level will need to be increased manually, as a cadence sensor is not fully responsive to increased effort being exerted by the rider.
That said, cadence sensor fitted-e-bike are less expensive, and a good one can be picked up for under £1,000.
The Benefits of Torque Sensors
The other type of sensor, which measures torque, determines the force of rotation applied to the crank set.
Torque sensors give a better indicator of user effort than cadence sensors and can vary the motor's responsive power delivery more dynamically. For example, in the hill climb situation, the user would not need to turn up the assist level as the torque sensor would sense that the rider was pedalling harder and accordingly instruct the motor to apply more power.
This intuitive response creates the sensation of riding a normal bike, so if a user enjoys the feeling of cycling, it is likely they will prefer the more natural input provided by a torque sensor. Torque sensors also tend to extend battery range, as they only deliver as much power as needed - whereas cadence systems will often expend battery needlessly.
With more sophisticated sensors coming with a higher price tag, it is something to consider when choosing e-bike. Indeed, it is quite rare to have an e-bike with a torque sensor and a hub-drive motor, but ARCC Bikes has achieved this with the ARCC Intelligent Drive Pod, which is produced at ARCC Innovations and provides a smooth and progressive power delivery.
Putting the Torque Sensor to the Test
Recently, ARCC Bikes took the ARCC Electric Conversion for Brompton to one of London’s most notorious hills, Swain’s Lane in Central London, where the bike was put through its paces. Tackling the hill unassisted and assisted, watch the YouTube video below to see the difference in ride action when the torque sensor is picking up the strain.