Launched today by British brand Skarper™, the e-bike drive system aims to revolutionize the world of e-bikes. The Skarper motor is the first of its kind to power the bike via the rear disc brake and easily clips onto any bike with the appropriate mount to transform it into an e-bike in seconds.
Behind the patent-protected disc brake drive system is a London-based start-up with prominent supporters such as six-time Olympic champion and eleven-time world champion in track cycling Sir Chris Hoy, who was heavily involved in product development from the start.
“Getting more people on bikes has always been a big concern for me – regardless of their fitness, ability or age. E-bikes play a big role in making cycling more accessible for everyone. It opens up whole new possibilities – be it to cycle to work that is otherwise too long, to keep up with a fitter friend on a challenging bike tour or to start cycling again after an injury or illness. With the e-bike you can simply cover longer distances and see more with the same effort. E-bikes offer something for everyone; I even take my kids to school on a cargo e-bike!”
“What excites me most about Skarper is that we are offering something completely new. You no longer have to choose between a bike and an e-bike, you can clip on the motor whenever you want electric support. I firmly believe that this freedom and flexibility to change the way you drive in a matter of seconds will have a significant impact on the industry. Cycling will be made accessible to a much wider audience.”
For the inventor and co-founder of Skarper, Dr. Alastair Darwood, breakthrough innovations are not new territory. The mastermind behind the disc brake drive has invented and developed several medical devices for orthopedics and anesthesia during his career as a doctor with the UK National Health Service (NHS). At the beginning of the Corona pandemic, Alastair also invented a new type of emergency ventilator, which was developed in record time with the support of the British government and in cooperation with Red Bull Advanced Technologies.
“At Skarper we live and breathe innovation; and we are only at the beginning of our product development", says dr Alastair Darwood. “The Skarper system is completely closed, wireless and integrates seamlessly with the bike via its DiskDrive™ technology. Ultra-light, clip-on motor technology turns any bike into an e-bike without the need for frame or wheel modifications - and without compromising on performance. We are very excited to be working with Red Bull Advanced Technologies on an off-road version of the powertrain, which we will be releasing news about later this year.”
The Skarper Unit is fully charged in less than 2,5 hours and is said to enable a range of up to 60 km. Thanks to a series of sensors and control algorithms, the motor reacts intelligently to the terrain and provides immediate, first-class assistance when needed. To equip the bike with the Skarper drive, all you have to do is swap out the rear brake disc for the special DiskDrive™ disc. This ensures the power transmission of the system, but continues to function reliably like any other disc brake, even when the drive unit is not mounted on the bike. Furthermore, a small connector must be attached to the chainstay to secure the system.
The Skarper drive will be available from 2023. Due to expected high demand, the company will soon be taking pre-orders for those who want to be the first to use the disc brake drive system.
Ean Brown, CEO and co-founder of Skarper, dreams of revolutionizing the industry with DiskDrive technology. "Our drive system is the easiest way to a completely finished and powerful e-bike. Our goal is for the DiskDrive brake disc to be integrated as standard in millions of bicycles around the world from the factory.”
Skarper is committed to a world where consumers have the freedom to create their ultimate bike without having to compromise.
Skarper facts and figures:
- drive type: DiskDrive™ (proprietary Skarper™ technology)
- torque: 50Nm
- Power: 250 W
- battery power: 202 Wh
- Charging time (empty to full): 2,5 hours
- Reach: up to 60 km
- Range after 30 minutes of charging: 15-20 km (preliminary calculation)
- Maximum speed: 32 km/h (limited to 25 km/h according to national laws)
- Dimension (packaging): 353mm x 157mm x 90mm (the actual packing size of the product is smaller)
- Weight: approx. 3 kg + 300 g for DiskDrive disc
- Interface: Smart buttons and lights on the device allow the user to select modes and check battery levels.
- There are three Modi – Eco, Standard and Turbo.
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