Intro: eBike evolved in the last 5 years

It's no secret that electric bikes have come a long way in the past 5 years. The industry has evolved a significant amount and has seen many upgrades to the new ebike models sold nowadays. 

One of these major new features on ebikes is having a torque sensor, a technology that in the past, was only possible with only one certain motor configuration, is now available on many more configurations are has become more smooth, safer, and more affordable to have. 

Teslica, in 2025, is offering the torque sensor option even on it's most affordable ebike option, the Teslica Energize B2H. Which is one of the best priced electric bikes with a torque sensor you can find, specially with the Teslica 10, which is the 10 year warranty the bike comes with. 

What are the other options other than a torque sensor? 

There are 3 major ways to engage the motor: 

1. Using a throttle 
2. Using a Cadence Sensor 
3. Using a Torque Sensor

Both the cadence sensor and the torque sensor are considered Pedal Assist Systems (PAS), which means that both these options, will know only engage the motor when the rider is pedalling, and it will disengage the motor when the rider is not pedalling. 

The throttle, on the other hand, is like a "gas pedal" in a car, it will engage the motor only when you press on it, and not engage the motor when you don't. 

You only need one of the 3 options to be able to use an ebike, however, for best rider experience and for more safety, we recommend that an electric bike should have a throttle and a pedal assist system (either cadence or torque). 

The pedal assist systems (either cadence or torque) will give a better riding experience than just the throttle, but having a throttle can help in situations such as: 

1. Starting from a stop
2. Boost of power to overtake someone on the bike path 
3. Boost of power to go up a hill 
4. In case of an injury, or if you get tired, the throttle can help get you home safely 

That's why most Teslica ebikes will come with a throttle as well as a pedal assist system (either cadence or torque) The pedal assist system will always be the main method you use most of the time, while the throttle will just be for help here and there. 

What is the difference between the Cadence and Torque sensors?

A cadence sensor, will know when the rider is pedalling the ebike, but it will not know how hard the rider is pedalling. On the other hand, a torque sensor will not only know when you are pedalling, but also how hard you are pedalling, by knowing how hard you pedal, the ebike will be able to figure out how to give you the exact power you need, without any unexpected surges of power. 

What are the advantages of torque sensor ebike?

Imagine this, you are riding on the bike path, and have to take a little detour and turn a tight corner, as you move the pedals in the corner, the cadence sensor ebike will give you the same power it was giving you before, this can be a little hard to handle if that power is too much for a corner. 

On the other hand, an electric bike with a torque sensor, will know that while you are in that corner doing a tight turn, you are only moving the pedals to keep your balance not to go fast, and it will know that because it can measure your pedalling power and can see that it suddenly went down. In this case, the torque sensor ebike will not give you a serge of power during in the turn and will therefore be safer. 

Another great advantage of the torque sensor ebikes, is that they are smoother to ride.The bike will read how hard you are pedalling and use that to determine how much power to give you, that means in the bike path, as you push harder to overtake someone, the ebike will give you more power, and as you easy off the power going down a slight hill, the ebike will easy off the power as well. The smoothness of the torque sesnor ebikes will make you feel that you are riding a regular bike, not an ebike. So, if you are interested in a smooth ebike that does not feel like an electric bike and rides exaclty like a regular bike, then a torque sensor ebike might be the best option for you.

Tha last main advantage of an electric bike with a torque sensor, is that it will usually have better milage, meaning you will be able to ride longer on a single charge. This is due to the smoothness and efficiency of the torque sensor, by knowing exactly how much power to give you, it will be more efficnet than a cadence sensor ebike. 

To recap the advantages, here is a list of the main 3 advantages of electric bikes with a torque sensor: 

1. Safer to ride, specially when turning 
2. Smoother and feel like a regular bike 
3. More riding distance from a single battery charge 

When is a cadence sensor better for you? 

Who is the cadence sensor better for? From what we at Teslica eBikes see, if you are using an ebike for commuting, and do not what to pedal and excerice, just want to get to work, then riding a cadence sensor ebike will give you a consistent amount of power regardless of how hard to pedal, which can be great for commuting without the exercise portion. 

A cadence sensor ebike can also be the best choice if you are a rider with a chronic injury, or physical limitation, that make your pedalling effort inconsistent and you do not want to rely on your pedalling power as a factor in the bike ride. In this case, the cadence sensor, which does not care about how hard you pedal, may be a better option for you.

The last advantage of a cadence sensor, is that it does usually retail at a lower price than the torque sensor counterpart. At Teslica ebikes, the price difference of an ebike with a torque sensor and an electric bike with a cadence sensor is usually around $200, assuming the sensor is the only difference. 

To recap the advantages, here is a list of the main 3 advantages of electric bikes with a cadence sensor: 

1. Commuting without having to exercise 
2. beneficial if you have an injury or a limitation 
3. More affordable

Which one is best for you? 

Hopefully the above information helps most people find out which ebike sensor is best for you, but if you are still torn between the two pedal assist system options, then we advise you to test ride the same bike, one with a torque sensor, and one with a cadence sensor, and see what you like more. Teslica ebikes will offer some models with either the torque sensor or a cadence sensor, such as the Teslica Freedom City C3H in a cadence and the Freedom City Elite C3H in the torque 

Stop by at out showroom in Ottawa (244 Britannia Road, Ottawa, Ontario) or at one of our dealers across Canada, to test ride both options and get expert advice from qualified professionals that will help you find out the better option for you! 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contract us today and our team will be pleased to assist you. 

Let the ride begin!