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An e-bike has pedal assistance that ensures that you can cycle longer and faster with a lot less effort. There are major differences between the electric bicycles in how exactly the pedal assistance works.
Different sensors
An important difference in the operation of the pedal assistance is the sensor that is used. This sensor determines exactly how the pedal assistance works.
A rotation sensor is the simplest sensor that indicates whether the pedals are turning and how long it takes for the pedals to turn completely. With these numbers, the bike determines how often you pedal and how much support you need.
The disadvantage of the rotation sensor is that you do not immediately have support when starting off. The sensor only works after the wheel has been completely turned around once, from that moment on the bike gives maximum support based on the level you have bet on.
An example of an electric bicycle with a rotation sensor is the Gazelle PureNL† This Gazelle is especially suitable as a city bike for cycling short or medium distances.
The pedal force sensor is the alternative to the rotation sensor. This sensor can register how much pressure you put on the pedals and how hard you have to pedal to keep cycling.
Based on all the information, the engine can determine how much support you need. The big difference is that there is no delay between the pedaling and the support you get.
This gives you a much more natural experience on the electric bicycle, which corresponds to cycling without electric pedal assistance. The best electric bikes all use a pedal force sensor.
Which pedal support is best?
The pedal assistance offered by electric bicycles with a pedal force sensor is the best. This has no delay in support and therefore works immediately when driving off.
This makes an electric bicycle with a pedal force sensor the choice for anyone who comes to a standstill during his or her daily rides and has to start again.
The pedal power support also provides much more comfort. The support is very gradual and feels much more like a natural cycling experience compared to an electric bike with only a rotation sensor.
Furthermore, the pedal force sensor ensures that you cycle more economically because it adapts the support to your pedaling force. If you put little pressure on the pedals, the support will also be less.
The popular Sparta M7B also uses the pedal force sensor, which ensures good reviews. Users are very satisfied with how smoothly the electric bicycle works and how the support continuously adapts to the power you apply.
Which pedal support is the cheapest?
In addition to the sensors that determine the pedal assistance, there are many more factors on which the price of an electric bicycle is based. Especially the motor system is of great importance for the price.
Yet you generally see that the more expensive electric bicycles all have a pedal force sensor and that you only have a rotation sensor with the most inexpensive bicycles.