Ebikes for sensitive knees and good cardio exercise.

[Trail Cruiser]

With all the trend and excitement about "torque sensing" and "proportional assist" technologies on ebikes, I still miss the old fashioned cadence sensing only hub motor for 3 major reasons.

First, on cadence sensing only, you can easily spin at high RPM providing a good cardio exercise (without sacrificing speed).

Second, you don't have to push your knees hard to attain the high cadence (no torque sensor to activate), thus, avoiding the grinding wear and tear of your knees.

Third reason is the thrill and adrenaline rush when spinning at the high cadence (it feels like driving a sports car in high rpm, getting ready to speed up or slow down at any moment).

The other advantage of this ebike setup (hub motor with cadence only sensor, + throttle) is that these are superior in stop and go city commuting with unmatched acceleration from a dead stop.

Unfortunately, there are only very few makers remaining that offer cadence sensing only hub driven ebikes.

The good news is that these ebikes are generally cheaper (less than 2 grands) and tend to be shunned away by many supposedly "sophisticated" buyers. Here is a list of hub driven ebikes that still offer the old fashioned cadence only sensor:

1. Magnum
2. Rad Power
3. Smartmotion (torque sensor can be switched off)
4. Juiced Bikes (torque sensor can be switched off)
5. Other less recognized Chinese sourced ebikes, like Electric Bike Company Model S, Flash V1 Bike, PIM Bicycles, Blix, etc..

However, you have to be careful in choosing, since the cheaper ones (rock bottom prices) have sacrificed quality, reliability, and safety. Besides, they have zero warranty and aftermarket support.

 

[Alex M]

Most bikes under $2,000-2,300 come with cadence sensor. E-Joe, Pedego, Biktix, EG, Volt, Green Bike - and many more.

Also, unknown or less known Chinese brands that can be found at Amazon, Walmart, Upzy etc. I actually see more off-brand Chinese bikes on the streets than anything recognizable. E-scooters, in turn, dominate over e-bikes on the streets.

Blix is a Sweden company - yes, also cadence.

All these bikes under 2.3K are made in China, don't be fooled by "Canadian" or "American" in the company name. I vaguely recall from some Court video - that there are few US ebike manufacturers, but don't remember details or how much of a bike is actually made in the US. If I'm not mistaken, a product can be labeled "made in the US" if 51% of parts are from the US.

 

[indianajo]

Thanks for the tips. I definitly do not want torque sensor, I'm not strong at all even though I ride without electricity everywhere. People on bikes blow right past me all the time, pedaling much slower than I am spinning. The cadence sensor in my ****ese ebikeling kit was fine. Now if It would have lasted more than 60 miles. It shuts itself off now, I'll have to put .1 ohm resistors in the motor drive wires to find out if the motor shorted a turn or the controller blew a FET transistor. If a transistor I might try to fix it- it blew after I was riding 25 mph on glass smooth pavement. AL controller case was not warm - bad transistor mount to heat sink? That Huffy frame I converted was not ideal anyway, the fork wasn't wide enough to fit a brake disk in, and at speeds over 15 I really need disk brakes in the rain.
Saw my first e-bike here today, besides mine. He blew right past me whirring , 25 mph or faster. Nothing recognizable, probably a hub kit. White lights on the back of the seat, that feature would not be for sale OEM.

 

[E-Wheels]

Most bikes under $2,000-2,300 come with cadence sensor. E-Joe, Pedego, Biktix, EG, Volt, Green Bike - and many more.

Also, unknown or less known Chinese brands that can be found at Amazon, Walmart, Upzy etc. I actually see more off-brand Chinese bikes on the streets than anything recognizable. E-scooters, in turn, dominate over e-bikes on the streets.

Blix is a Sweden company - yes, also cadence.

All these bikes under 2.3K are made in China, don't be fooled by "Canadian" or "American" in the company name. I vaguely recall from some Court video - that there are few US ebike manufacturers, but don't remember details or how much of a bike is actually made in the US. If I'm not mistaken, a product can be labeled "made in the US" if 51% of parts are from the US.

They are most probably “engineered” in the US or Canada

 

[Trail Cruiser]

They are most probably “engineered” in the US or Canada

Designed, sorted out, and tested in US or Canada and then parts purchased from China, +/- assembled in China.

 

[Alex M]

Indianajo, cheap conversion kits are like any other super-cheap item from Ebay or Aliexpress - a good chance to get a lemon.

Bike lights of all kinds are abundant on after-market. It's easy to spend hundreds on accessories - for those willing to

 

[michael mitchell]

I've found that people who don't already ride a bike are usually more interested in cadence sensing setups. I was explaining the difference between the two, and one guy said "If I wanted to work hard, I'd just get a regular bike." Valid point.

 

[Trail Cruiser]

I've found that people who don't already ride a bike are usually more interested in cadence sensing setups. I was explaining the difference between the two, and one guy said "If I wanted to work hard, I'd just get a regular bike." Valid point.

That's what I did, but it gets boring when younger and more athletic people just pass you by. After using an electric bike, not only do I enjoy the scenery more and get more distance, but I also notice that I get more cardio exercise from the higher cadence with less stress to the knees.
Most newer torque sensing ebikes felt just like regular bikes (only faster) with lower baseline cadence (bad for the knees). One exception is the Bosch that encourages you to pedal at higher cadence.

 

[TForan]

Most newer torque sensing ebikes felt just like regular bikes (only faster) with lower baseline cadence (bad for the knees). One exception is the Bosch that encourages you to pedal at higher cadence.

That why I like mine. Feels like a bike. I usually only ride with the most resistance, which is usually the two top gears. I don't worry about cadence.

 

[Trail Cruiser]

I just stopped by a local ebike store and test rode the Magnum metro plus (designed in US but using German hub drive system, Das-kit R4). I'm so glad I can fast cadence it (>90 rpm) without sacrificing speed and without the knee strain.

My goal now is to sell my 2 ebikes as is (2015 IZIP Dash and 2015 Raleigh Tekoa IE) and purchase the Magnum. Local pick up only or I can deliver it within 40 miles radius from zip code 10704. I plan to post them at ebay. The first one to buy will also get a spare battery. Modifications and accessories for each ebike totals about $700 (including the body float). I will post more details at ebay and other sale sites.

I will stop using these ebikes to prepare for the sale. For the meantime, I still have my full suspension BBSHD to ride around.

 

[Alex M]

I've found that people who don't already ride a bike are usually more interested in cadence sensing setups. I was explaining the difference between the two, and one guy said "If I wanted to work hard, I'd just get a regular bike."

Many of them are also interested in throttle .

The easiest, cheapest and safest way to control when to work hard and when not, is to ride a scooter, and do cardio on an exercise bike in a comfort of air-conditioned gym.

Cadence sensor is not just easier to start off the line. As Mark noted, it's easier on sensitive knees too. This alone is a deal-maker for people who have this problem.

 

[Trail Cruiser]

The store owner was kind enough to ride along with me. He was riding a Bulls Outlaw E45, another hub driven 28 mph ebike (but with torque sensor) which he deemed to be the quickest and most responsive ebike in his store. We were going up and down the hilly streets and he was going full blast.

Riding on the Magnum, I was able to keep up with him, plus I was also able to spin at very high cadence (enjoying my cardio exercise) at the uphills and closely following him while he was lugging along at lower cadence. Needless to say, my knees are happy and I am happy.