All SUPER73 bikes come with a Pedal Assist System (PAS) which activates the motor when you pedal.
There are two types of Pedal Assist
- Cadence Sensor Type, which measures if you are pedaling.
- Torque Sensor Type, which measures how much pressure you are applying on the pedals.
The SUPER73 Z-Miami, ZG, and ZX are equipped with a cadence sensor. The SUPER73 S2 and RX have torque sensors.
Cosmetic Differences
The Cadence sensor has a slick knob cover on the left side of the bottom bracket with an LED light that switches "ON" red when the pedals are engaged.
The Torque sensor has a ribbed knob cover on both sides, located inside the bottom bracket.
How each sensor engages PAS
The cadence sensor uses a magnet within the crank located on the bottom bracket of your SUPER73. The motor will activate when you start pedaling and deactivate when you stop pedaling. The motor can also stop assisting if the rider reaches the maximum speed of the current "mode" chosen. This sensor works more or less like a switch.
The PAS levels (three in total, shown in blue) can only be controlled via the display on the handlebar for the ZG model with the “+” and “-” button.
The PAS levels (four in total) on the ZX model can be switched on the display or on the Super73 app.
A cadence sensor-equipped bike will always receive maximum assistance from the start. It is important to keep in mind that for a smooth assist at a top speed, the sensor needs to continuously record movement. Meaning that pedaling faster won’t increase the amount of assistance. A constant pedal stroke, “cadence”, will keep triggering the sensor, therefore the assist.
The torque sensor uses a precision strain gauge. It will measure the actual force put onto the pedals. The more force you use to pedal, the more the motor will assist. The maximal assist is determined by the mode and level you are in. If you pedal with lesser force, the motor assist will be low. It makes this adjustment in real time, so it is technically amplifying your input. Because it is continuously analyzing effort rather than just checking for rotation at a handful of intervals. A torque sensor is able to adjust the motor’s assistance more dynamically and intuitively. It responds proportionally to the effort you put into the pedals.
The S2 and RX models have PAS levels (four in total) that can be switched on the display or on the SUPER73 app.