British start-up Skarper has joined forces with F1 team Oracle Red Bull Racing’s Advanced Technologies division to create the world’s first device that can turn any bike into an electric one with a single click.
Leaning on the expertise, research, and development of the team, Skarper has created a unique portable drive system that clips to a bike’s disk brake to deliver direct power to the rider.
The partnership came about after six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy, who is a founding investor in Skarper, demonstrated a prototype of the device to Oracle Red Bull Racing CEO Christian Horner, who was impressed with its potential.
Christian Horner, CEO of Oracle Red Bull Racing and Red Bull Advanced Technologies, said, “This partnership with Skarper demonstrates how F1 expertise can help to improve everyday technology for the benefit of the public. The device is an incredibly clever piece of engineering, and we have been able to make it smaller and more powerful thanks to our own talented engineers.”
Sir Chris Hoy, six-time Olympic champion and founding investor in Skarper, said, “We’re incredibly grateful to Christian Horner for supporting a British start-up with developing this device that we believe will revolutionise the cycling sector and benefit riders worldwide.”
Red Bull Advanced Technologies enlisted its engineers to help make the gearing inside the device smaller and more powerful, one of the key hurdles in bringing it to market.
The result is an ultralight and portable drive system that clips seamlessly onto Skarper’s DiskDrive (which replaces the rear disk on any bike), transforming it into a high-performance, lightweight eBike and back again in seconds.
This first-of-its-kind, patent-protected disk-brake drive system was invented by Skarper’s co-founder, Dr. Alastair Darwood and developed by the company’s team of engineers together with Red Bull Advanced Technologies.
The connection to the disk brake is unique and proprietary to Skarper. It has engineered a full gearbox into the space of a rear disk brake, and as this part of the bicycle is uniform on virtually all bikes, which makes it a truly global micromobility solution.
The all-in-one drive unit, which measures just 34 cm by 16 cm, contains a 250-watt rated motor and a 240Wh battery pack, giving a range of up to 60km. By attaching seamlessly to the proprietary rear disk, there is no loss of performance when compared to integrated eBikes.
Even before its official launch later this year, the device has seen substantial interest from the biggest bicycle retail chains in the USA, UK, Germany, Austria, Japan, and the UAE, as well as from leading bicycle and bike component manufacturers.
Andy Damerum, Commercial Development Officer of Red Bull Advanced Technologies, said, “We recognised from the outset that partnering with Skarper on this project was a natural fit for Red Bull Advanced Technologies. Our shared commitment to pushing the limits aligned perfectly to create Skarper’s remarkable compact drive system, a true engineering breakthrough.
We eagerly anticipate witnessing Skarper’s ground-breaking innovation enrich the cycling experience, offering riders an exhilarating and practical enhancement to their journey.”
Alastair Darwood, Co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Skarper, said, “We are delighted to work with Oracle Red Bull Racing and its Advanced Technologies division. By infusing Formula 1 innovations into our e-bike technology, we are delivering more power into a smaller space, resulting in an unparalleled riding experience.”
The device is currently available for pre-order in advance of its full launch. For additional information about Skarper, please visit https://www.skarper.com/.
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