Pedal force sensor saves hard work on electric bike

Jon Lawson

ZEMIC, the manufacturer and designer of load cells, strain gauges and force sensors, has developed an electric bike pedal force sensor in conjunction with the Netherlands firm SPARTA – the e-bike brand.

The sensor is a crucial component in the bike’s drive and control system that detects the pedal force applied, and through software settings determines a proportional amount of assisted motor power at the wheel. Rather than a speed sensor, this control gives the rider a more intuitive riding experience with increased efficiency and longer battery life. The e-bike has several settings including Cruise, Tour and Sport.

ZEMIC, who is represented exclusively in the UK by Variohm EuroSensor, worked closely with SPARTA from the outset to prototype, develop and mass-manufacture a competitively priced customised sensor for this cost-conscious and rapidly expanding market – in the European Union, 1.35 million e-bikes were sold in 2014 - almost double the 2011 sales. The sensor was developed with the EBCC (Electric Bike Competence Centre) of the Accell Group whose members include many globally recognised bike brand names including Raleigh and Diamondback in the UK.