E-Bike Pedal Assist Explained

You know that satisfying surge of power you get when you pedal your e-bike and quickly bolt past slow-moving cyclists, effortlessly keep pace with car traffic, or climb up a steep hill with confidence? It’s all possible thanks to pedal assist! Indeed, this advanced technology is the secret sauce behind the universal appeal of electric bikes, but for such a fundamental feature, the nuances between the two primary types of pedal sensors are often overlooked by e-bike riders. Keep on reading to learn everything you need to know about pedal assist, from the different types of sensors to how Juiced Bikes elevates this technology to deliver an unmatched pedaling experience.

What is Pedal Assist? And How Does It Work?

Simply put, pedal assist is an operating mode on your e-bike that engages the motor to deliver power to help you pedal easier and go faster. Electric bicycles with pedal-assist features do not require a throttle to control the motor (although, many pedal assist e-bikes also have a throttle, like all Juiced models). Instead, pedal-assist sensors instantly activate the motor whenever you pedal your e-bike. There are two types of pedal sensors to know: cadence sensors and torque sensors. Each pedal-assist sensor works differently and provides vastly different pedaling experiences.

Cadence Sensors

Basic cadence sensors work like a switch — they turn the motor ON when you start pedaling and OFF when you stop pedaling. You control the power assistance level and speed by manually adjusting the assist mode on e-bikes with cadence sensors. Most e-bikes feature a cadence pedal sensor because it’s a simple and inexpensive way to deliver pedal assistance; however, some applications result in a laggy, jerky, and counterintuitive pedaling experience. Additionally, you'll encounter some resistance if you want to pedal faster than the motor is spinning. This is the most common type of pedal assist sensor in e-bikes priced from $1,000 – $2,500+. 

Torque Sensors

Much more advanced than cadence sensors, torque sensors use a precision strain gauge to measure the actual force you exert on the e-bike pedals, sampling at 1,000 times per second over the entire pedal stroke. Torque pedal-assist sensors measure how hard you pedal to determine how much electric power to supply. In effect, the harder you pedal, the more power the motor delivers. If you pedal softer, the motor provides less power. This progressive power delivery results in a much more smooth, responsive, and pleasant pedaling experience compared to e-bikes that rely on just a cadence sensor for pedal assistance. The only drawback of torque sensors is that they cost significantly more to implement than cadence sensors, which is why you’ll typically only find this pedal-assistance technology on premium e-bikes.

Juiced Bikes Offers Dual Pedal Assist Technology

Juiced Bikes offers a cadence and torque sensor on most models to give you the best possible pedal feel, the smoothest ride, and maximum control over your e-bike's available power. This class-leading dual pedal assistance technology means that when you pedal your Juiced bike, the sensors instantaneously respond to and amplify your every input, delivering the exact amount of power whenever and wherever you need it! Whether you’re out on a long-distance trek or have a hilly commute, having cadence and torque pedal assist will give you the extra oomph you need to arrive at your destination buzzing with energy instead of sopping wet with sweat. 

If you’re clamoring for more cardio, you can manually lower the pedal assistance level or shut it off entirely using the advanced LCD to increase the resistance and enjoy a fun, low-impact workout. With pedal assist, you’re always in complete control of the intensity of your exercise! The flexibility of tailoring your pedal assistance in real time lets you enhance your riding range, too. Combining manual and power-assisted pedaling will net a much better range than using your throttle during your entire ride. Not only that, most riders find pedal assistance more intuitive than using the throttle to power their e-bike rides — this lower learning curve means a wider range of riders can immediately enjoy all the benefits e-bikes offer!  

Step Up to a Better E-Bike

Hopping onto a Juiced bike and unleashing an electrifying shove of pure power each time you pedal is a rush like no other. Our dual pedal-assist technology featuring cadence and torque sensors works seamlessly to provide silky smooth take-offs, unbelievably crisp responsiveness, and ultra-precise control over when and how much power you’ll get at the pedals.