Torque sensor or cadence sensor: the differences

Two bikes, the same assist level, and the help feels different. One feels like a gentle push that's always there. The other seems to follow your legs. Makers say the sensor type is part of the reason.

The basic split

E-bikes with pedal assist have a sensor that detects pedaling speed, pedaling force, or both.¹ A cadence sensor reads the speed. A torque sensor reads the force. Gazelle, a bike maker, describes them as detecting how fast you're pedaling and measuring how hard you're pedaling.²

Side by side

All of the descriptions in the table are Gazelle's. They come from one maker's own page, so treat them as that maker's view.

What it means in practice

Say you pedal gently up a slope. A cadence-sensing bike looks at how fast the cranks turn and your assist level. A torque-sensing bike also looks at how hard you push. Gazelle says torque-based assist can feel more reactive. It also says cadence-based assist can give a smoother, more predictable ride.²

Neither description is a ranking. Gazelle's own page says there's no one-size-fits-all answer, and that the choice depends on how you like to ride.²

Questions to ask before you compare

Which sensor does the bike have? That's the first one, and the maker's spec sheet or manual should answer it. The speed of the vehicle itself is measured at the wheel, a separate job covered on the first page.³

Then think about how you ride. Gazelle ties each type to a style. It calls torque sensors great for fitness-focused or performance-oriented riders, and says cadence sensors can suit commuting and casual cruising.² That's one maker's view, not a rule.

Some bikes use both

The two aren't a strict either-or. One reference says some manufacturers offer both systems at the same time.³ Gazelle says Bosch e-bike motors use a combination of input from both the cadence and torque sensors, so the assist feels natural, not jerky or delayed.²

A few models go further. The same reference notes that some allow manual switching from torque to speed control.³

It also says that because the pedaling force needed rises sharply with speed, some models with a speed sensor can manage without a force sensor.³

How to find out what your bike has

Start with the spec sheet or manual for your own model. The maker's page should say which sensors the drive system uses. If the wording is vague, ask a dealer. Don't take the bike apart to find out.

For each type on its own, see cadence sensors explained and torque sensors explained. Where the parts sit is on this page.