Torque sensing for person with limited leg strength?

[rocketman58]

Thanks again for all of the input. I guess the reason I was looking at a torque sensing motor was my current hub drive setup feels a bit disconnected. Sometimes things feel integrated, but more often they do not. This is where I have the problem. Many times it feels like I have two distinct drives, me and the motor. The motor is often providing too much or not enough power. Either I am ghost pedaling or having to exert too much of my own power. The latter typically results in having to use the throttle.

It was my impression that a torque sensing drive would help provide a more integrated experience. Even with things the way they are now, I can still complete a 35 mile ride with speeds averaging 15mph. So my legs are not completely shot. Perhaps the question I should have asked is: On a torque sensing motor, can you set it so it takes very little pedal pressure to get moving?

 

[stancecoke]

I guess the reason I was looking at a torque sensing motor was my current hub drive setup feels a bit disconnected.

Having torque sensing has nothing to do with the motor position. You can get middrives with simple PAS assistance (like the BBSxx) and you can get hubmotors with torque sensing.

On a torque sensing motor, can you set it so it takes very little pedal pressure to get moving?

On prebuilt systems you have limited possibilities. But choosing the highest level like "Turbo" it is pretty like "ghost pedaling"
With "open" systems, you can set any assist factor you like. You can set it to 1000% if you want

 

[rocketman58]

Having torque sensing has nothing to do with the motor position. You can get middrives with simple PAS assistance (like the BBSxx) and you can get hubmotors with torque sensing.


On prebuilt systems you have limited possibilities. But choosing the highest level like "Turbo" it is pretty like "ghost pedaling"
With "open" systems, you can set any assist factor you like. You can set it to 1000% if you want

I realize you can have torque sensing with a hub drive as well. There are other reasons I was considering moving away from a hub drive. I was interested in the CYC Photon, but have not been able to find any information regarding very low pedal pressure and assist.

 

[docw009]

Hoping for better health for you in 2026. Treat yourself to the best system. I dunno if that's the CYC, but you can ask the vendors.

I would be surprised if a CYC couldn't give you bike path speeds with the same light pedal pressure as your G020, My DM02 seems to pedal about as easy as my hubmotors at 12 mph in PAS 1. That's about 120 watts, and I can triple that with more effort without having to shift to PAS 2, A higher power motor like the DM01, TSDZ8 or CYC should be better,

Then again, I broke out the BBS02B this week and rode it around in PAS 9, My fastest bike. Definitely a cure for weak pedaling.

 

[rocketman58]

Hoping for better health for you in 2026. Treat yourself to the best system. I dunno if that's the CYC, but you can ask the vendors.

I would be surprised if a CYC couldn't give you bike path speeds with the same light pedal pressure as your G020, My DM02 seems to pedal about as easy as my hubmotors at 12 mph in PAS 1. That's about 120 watts, and I can triple that with more effort without having to shift to PAS 2, A higher power motor like the DM01, TSDZ8 or CYC should be better,

Then again, I broke out the BBS02B this week and rode it around in PAS 9, My fastest bike. Definitely a cure for weak pedaling.

Generally... In assist level 1 I can ride at around 13mph on level ground. Level 2 assist allows me to ride at around 16mph. This is if I'm having a good day. Level 3 assist is reserved for larger hills. For shorter hills I might leave it in level 2 and use a bit of throttle. I do not generally use level 4 or 5. All levels will take me up to 20mph if I have the strength. The motor cuts off at 20. This is ok for riding solo, but my trike group sometimes rides at that speed for short bursts.

I used to ride mostly in level 1, but tend to ride more in level 2 any more. I do notice the difference in battery drain. I used to be able to get over 65 miles out of my 17.5Ah battery, but now I often get less than 60 miles. Since I never ride more than 40 miles this is not a problem.

I was hoping the Photon would give me a higher top speed, more hill climbing power, better battery life, and a more integrated cycling experience.