Any way to add a torque sensor to RadRover?

[iamjcl]

Wondering if there is a way to do this w/out replacing too much or costing too much (sub $3-400)?

And would it really improve the pedaling "feel" (i.e. be more like a mid-drive)?

I know the Juiced RipCurrent has a torque sensor, but I wonder how well it works, and if any torque sensor on a rear-hub motor works anywhere near as well as a mid drive (as far as natural pedaling feel)?

 

[harryS]

In my opinion, 750W with cadence PAS and throttle and no speed limiter is a lot more versatile for me than an ebike with torque sensor and no throttle. I also agree some cadence systems are very crude and make for jerky riding, but I haven't seen that with 5 level and 10 level systems.

If you wish to price a convesions, go to grin ebikes, buy their torque sensor bottom bracket, and their Cycle analyst.
https://www.ebikes.ca/product-info/cycle-analyst-3.html

Instead, you might go to a shop and rent a T/S bike for a day or demo one. See how it feels although you will probably get a mountain -ebike and they ride lighter than a fat bike.

 

[iamjcl]

In my opinion, 750W with cadence PAS and throttle and no speed limiter is a lot more versatile for me than an ebike with torque sensor and no throttle. I also agree some cadence systems are very crude and make for jerky riding, but I haven't seen that with 5 level and 10 level systems.

If you wish to price a convesions, go to grin ebikes, buy their torque sensor bottom bracket, and their Cycle analyst.
https://www.ebikes.ca/product-info/cycle-analyst-3.html

Instead, you might go to a shop and rent a T/S bike for a day or demo one. See how it feels although you will probably get a mountain -ebike and they ride lighter than a fat bike.

Thanks for the info. Very interesting.

So I watched a few of their videos and I think I understand how this would work, but is it possible to still use the original bike's display / control unit along with the Cycle Analyst v3? Having 2 displays would be a little odd, but while the CA looks great for programming or technical info on what the system is doing, it isn't great for typical riding use, as the display is small and hard to read.

So by the looks of this, maybe $130 for the CA3, and anywhere from around $100 to $200 for a "bottom bracket" torque sensor to feed into the C3, plus (likely) some extension cables to route all the existing bike wiring to the CA3, then an extension from there to the original controller?

Looks really configurable, which would be nice, but it seems that if the cost of these torque sensors themselves is relatively low (likely less than $75) for an OEM, and could be integrated into the existing controller / displays the OEMs are using, I wonder why they aren't being implemented by more bikes (or any?)

 

[harryS]

Do you find anything wrong with the way your RadRover runs now?

 

[iamjcl]

Do you find anything wrong with the way your RadRover runs now?

Don't own one, but considering one. I'm trying to bypass a "starter" bike and figure out what I likely won't love about it and know what my options will be, or either buy something else to start with that has less things that bug me.

I guess just trying to know as much as I can first, before buying and finding out what I can or can't do.

 

[harryS]

Ahhh. OK. I think you ought to go to a store and ride some sample bikes.

 

[iamjcl]

Ahhh. OK. I think you ought to go to a store and ride some sample bikes.

I've ridden a few already, but unfortunately not a lot of options in my area.

 

[rich c]

My opinion, Rad Power bikes are starter bikes. Very simple systems, no high end technology, but get the riders with smooth marketing and good customer service. There is no feel with a cadence sensor and throttle. It's very nearly on and off. I ride Haibikes that have the Bosch mid drive system. Torque sensing and no throttle. It perfectly matches my riding style. You've waited a little too long to get good deals, but in February you could have gotten close to a high end 2018 model bike for what you will wrap up in a custom RadRover that you are talking about. There is a lot of talk on-line about their motor ratings too, do plenty of research.

 

[beeldbuijs]

Hi, I’m in the same situation (nothing bought yet but wanting to, but with torque pedal assist) and curious what you decided on and if you installed a Cycle Analyst and torque sensor yourself?