Most mid- to high-end e-bikes use torque sensors; this guide lists current models by brand and shows fast ways to confirm torque sensing on a spec sheet.
Shopping for an e-bike and tired of vague specs? You’re not alone. Torque sensing determines how the motor responds to your legs. When it’s present, power ramps in step with your pedaling, which feels smooth and predictable in traffic, on climbs, and through starts. This page answers a simple question — which e-bikes have torque sensors? — and gives you a clear way to verify the claim before you buy.
Which E-Bikes Have Torque Sensors? By Price Tiers
Below is a brand-first index of widely available models that advertise torque sensing. It isn’t every model on earth; it’s a clean starting list you can act on today. Drive type is included because many mid-drives use torque by design, while some hub-drives now add it too.
| Brand | Models With Torque Sensing | Drive Type |
|---|---|---|
| Aventon | Level.2; Aventure.2; Pace 500.3; Soltera.2 | Hub-drive with torque sensor |
| Ride1Up | Prodigy (v1/v2) | Brose mid-drive with torque sensor |
| Lectric | XPremium | Mid-drive with torque sensor |
| Trek | Verve+ family (varies by trim) | Bosch mid-drive with torque sensor |
| Gazelle | Ultimate series; Medeo series | Bosch mid-drive with torque sensor |
| Giant | SyncDrive models (e.g., Explore/Trance/Liv lines) | Yamaha/Giant mid-drive with multi-sensor incl. torque |
| Velotric | T1 ST Plus; Discover 2 (switchable) | Hub-drive with torque sensor |
E-Bikes With Torque Sensors By Brand And Price
Use this section as a quick buyer’s brief. Each brand note includes one way to confirm torque sensing on the official page.
Aventon
Aventon moved many of its hub-drive bikes to torque sensing. You’ll see the phrase “torque sensor” on the Level.2, Aventure.2, Pace 500.3, and Soltera.2 pages. Those bikes read your pedal force and scale assist to match, which stretches range and smooths starts.
How To Verify
Open the model page and scan the feature list for “torque sensor” or the bottom bracket spec. Aventon also maintains a torque-sensor collection where these models sit together.
Ride1Up
The Prodigy line uses a Brose mid-drive with an integrated torque sensor. That system reacts to pedal pressure with very little lag and pairs well with 700c commuter builds or XC-leaning trims.
How To Verify
On the Prodigy spec sheet, find “PAS sensor” — it states “Brose integrated torque sensor.”
Lectric
Lectric’s XPremium is the brand’s mid-drive folder. It includes a dynamic torque sensor for proportional assist and a shift sensor to keep gear changes calm.
How To Verify
Check the launch post for the XPremium. The feature list calls out the “dynamic torque sensor.”
Trek
Many Trek city e-bikes run Bosch drive units. On Verve+ 1 LT, the spec table lists a separate “torque sensor,” and the Bosch system manages power with inputs from torque, cadence, and speed. You can also find a Hyena torque-sensor bottom bracket on Electra-branded city builds under Trek’s umbrella.
How To Verify
Open a Verve+ product page and scroll to “Specifications.” Look for “Torque sensor” in the drivetrain section.
Gazelle
Gazelle pairs Dutch commuter frames with Bosch systems. Bosch blends torque and cadence signals to keep assistance in step with your pedaling, which gives these bikes a natural feel at low speeds.
How To Verify
Open any current Ultimate or Medeo listing and look for language that the “sensors determine assistance based on pedal force.”
Giant
Giant’s SyncDrive motors (built with Yamaha) use multiple sensors — torque among them — to tune support in real time. On-trail and in town, the result is smooth ramp-up and easy traction.
How To Verify
On the SyncDrive page, note the “six advanced sensors” language. That set includes a torque sensor.
Velotric
The T1 ST Plus is a light city bike with a built-in torque sensor. On Discover 2, firmware lets riders switch between torque and cadence modes to suit the route.
How Torque Sensing Works (And Why It Feels Better)
Torque sensors read how hard you push on the pedals. The controller then meters motor current to match your effort. Cadence-only setups react to crank rotation; torque-based bikes react to force. The difference shows up during starts, on grades, and when you want steady speed without fiddling with PAS buttons every block.
Most mid-drive systems use a trio of inputs — pedal force, pedal rate, and wheel speed — sampled many times a second. That’s why Bosch, Yamaha, Brose, and similar systems tend to feel seamless when you’re threading traffic or picking a line on a climb. See the official note on Bosch’s 3-sensor concept and Giant’s overview of SyncDrive motors.
Quick Ways To Confirm A Torque Sensor Before You Buy
Marketing blurbs can be fluffy. Here’s a fast, reliable check you can do on any listing or in a showroom.
- Scan The Spec Table: Look for “torque sensor,” “multi-sensor,” or “BB torque.” If it only says “cadence sensor,” that’s not torque sensing.
- Check The Drive System Name: Bosch, Yamaha PW/SyncDrive, and Brose systems ship with torque sensing. When you see one of those drives, you’re usually set.
- Watch For Phrases: “Proportional assist,” “responds to pedal force,” and “natural feel” often signal torque sensing.
- Test Ride: On a safe stretch, start from a stop in a medium gear. If assist ramps with your effort rather than jumping on like a switch, you’re on a torque bike.
Sensor Types In The Wild
Not every brand uses the same approach. This table maps common drive families to what they use, plus where you’ll see them on the sales floor.
| Drive System | Uses Torque Sensor? | Where You’ll See It |
|---|---|---|
| Bosch Smart/Performance/Active lines | Yes — tri-sensor with torque | Trek, Gazelle, many city/MTB e-bikes |
| Giant SyncDrive (Yamaha) | Yes — multi-sensor with torque | Giant/Liv commuter, trekking, MTB |
| Yamaha PW series | Yes — multi-sensor | Giant, Haibike, other OEMs |
| Brose mid-drives | Yes — integrated torque | Ride1Up Prodigy, many premium city/MTB |
| Aventon hub-drives (newer) | Yes on listed models | Level.2, Aventure.2, Pace 500.3, Soltera.2 |
| Velotric hub-drives | Yes on T1 ST Plus; Discover 2 switchable | City/fitness |
| Hyena city systems | Yes on select builds | Electra/Trek variants |
Pros And Trade-Offs In Daily Use
Hill Starts: Torque sensing feeds in power as you load the pedals, which steadies low-speed balance on ramps, bridges, and garage exits. Cadence-only bikes can jump when the magnet ring wakes the motor, so pick a lower gear first.
Range: Because assist scales to your legs, riders often see longer range at the same PAS setting. That’s handy for all-day errands or weekend rides.
Traffic: Stop-and-go streets reward smooth take-offs. Torque systems shine here; they add just enough push to slot into a gap without a surge.
Learning Curve: New riders adapt fast. Keep cadence steady, pick a gear that matches terrain, and let the sensor do the rest.
Price Snapshot: What You Get At Each Tier
Value Hub-Drive ($1k–$1.8k): You’ll now find torque sensing on select hub bikes from Aventon and Velotric. Expect clean manners and solid range with simple service.
Mid-Range Commuter ($1.8k–$3k): This is where many riders land. Look for torque-equipped hub bikes with larger batteries or entry mid-drives from Bosch and Yamaha-based lines.
Premium Mid-Drive ($3k+): You get refined torque response, big displays, and smarter auto modes. Trek, Gazelle, Giant/Liv, and other shop brands dominate here.
Test Ride Script You Can Use At The Shop
Keep this short script handy when you swing a leg over a demo bike. It helps you feel the difference fast.
- Start In A Middle Gear: Set PAS to a moderate level and roll from a dead stop. Feel for a gentle ramp that tracks your leg pressure.
- Climb A Short Rise: Stay seated and press harder. A torque bike adds more push the moment you load the pedals.
- Hold Steady Speed: Spin at one cadence on flat ground. Assistance should meet you and sit quietly there without surging.
- Soft Pedal: Ease off. The motor should back off too, keeping speed in check around people or tight paths.
Troubleshooting Mislabels And Myths
Specs change with mid-year refreshes, and copy errors slip through. If a page claims torque sensing but a ride feels switch-like, check three things. First, confirm the firmware mode — some bikes now let you toggle between torque and cadence in the app. Next, inspect the bottom bracket callout; a separate “torque sensor” part number is a clear sign. Last, ask the shop to update the head unit and motor firmware, then try again.
Model Notes And Proof Links
Here are direct proof points you can open in a new tab while you shop:
- Aventon Level.2, Aventure.2, Pace 500.3, Soltera.2: Each product page and launch post names a torque sensor in the spec.
- Ride1Up Prodigy: The spec row reads “Brose integrated torque sensor.”
- Lectric XPremium: The launch post calls out a dynamic torque sensor paired with a mid-drive.
- Trek Verve+ 1 LT: The specification table includes a discrete “torque sensor” line item.
- Bosch 3-Sensor Concept: See the official explainer on the Bosch site.
- Giant SyncDrive: Sensor suite explained on Giant’s SyncDrive page.
FAQ-Free Wrap-Up And Next Steps
You came in asking, “which e-bikes have torque sensors?” Now you have a brand-sorted list, two fast tables, and a repeatable way to verify a claim on any product page. Bookmark this page, test a couple of bikes, and pick the assist feel that matches your rides.