E-Bike Cadence Sensors - Interview with Constantine Pilapil

“After 20 years plus of mountain biking. I purchased my first pedal assist electric bicycle (e-bike).?I never been a fan of an e-bike because I always thought they took away from your exercise work out. So last month, a friend of mine had one and told me I should really try it but I was really hesitant, but I gave it a try and I was like wow!?I realized that the bike felt almost like my standard bike, but it allowed me to ride longer, and it made it so much more enjoyable.?I was also still getting the exercise workout. I was sold after my first ride, and I went shopping for one the next day but due to the pandemic shortage.?It took about a month to get one. Happy trails. ??”

HBK OEM Sales Manager and Mountain Biker - Constantine Pilapil has recently tested the eBike; he is sharing his experience, his expert technical insight by answering our questions!

How long have you been riding a 'traditional' mountain bike? Since 1997, about 25 years.

What do you enjoy the most when riding a mountain bike? The workout adrenaline I get. It’s like therapy that makes me feel happy after a ride.

When you first heard about mountain e-bikes were you excited, or have mix feelings??

I was not excited and had mixed feelings because I taught in the beginning it was a bike that did all the work for you.

When was the first time your rode a mountain e-bike??May 2022, a friend of mine let me try out his e-bike.

What were your takes on riding the mountain e bike? My take on the first ride was the complete opposite when I first heard of an e-bike, and I was completely wrong.?The mountain e-bike is a power assisted with an electric motor, but it will not assist you without your manpower pedaling.?So, you are still getting the workout feeling but you are still getting a workout.?This allows me to ride longer and it so much more enjoyable. The only negative on the e-bike.?They are not allowed on all the bike trails.

Beyond your passion for riding – we can see that you have a depth knowledge on the bikes and e-bikes, can you comment more the technical aspects of the bike?

The way it works is, it requires the rider to pedal for the motor to work, and it measures the peddling force with a strain gauge base torque sensor.?The torque strain gauge base sensors provide accurate measurements on the drive and control systems that determines a proportional amount on the assisted motor power. As you pedal, it measures the force you exert. It produces force by using electricity, if you pedal harder, the cycle will go faster. Whereas, if you pedal slower, the cycle moves slower as well. When you are running an electric bike with a torque sensor, it amplifies your efforts, which makes the ride more exciting.

Does the e-bike constitute a step forward for a mountain e-bike sport? I would say yes because most cyclist are misunderstood on a power assisted e-bike.

Have you consider buying a new mountain e-bike? Yes, and I did end up purchasing one.?

Do you think the price is within the same price range as a regular mountain bike? No, the price range is approximately 20% more than a regular mountain bike

Click here to know more about E-Bike Cadence Sensors https://www.hbm.com/fileadmin/mediapool/hbmdoc/technical/S05791.pdf