Author: Sophie Honeywell

Launched today, Skarper™ is a ground-breaking eBike drive system set to revolutionise the world of eBikes. Skarper drives the bike via the rear disc brake transforming any bike into a high performance eBike and back again in a matter of seconds.

This first-of-its kind, patent-protected disc-brake drive system has been developed by a London-based start-up with backers including six-time OLY and 11-time World Champion track cyclist Sir Chris Hoy.

Sir Chris Hoy has been heavily involved in the product development since its beginning and is excited about what it means for the future: “I’ve always been an advocate of getting more people on bikes, regardless of their fitness, ability or age, and I’ve discovered that eBikes can play a huge role in making cycling more accessible to anyone. It opens up opportunities – whether it’s making a commute possible which would otherwise have been too difficult, keeping pace with a fitter friend for a challenging bike ride, returning to riding after an injury or illness, or just going further on your rides and seeing more for the same effort. eBikes offer something for us all; I even take my kids to and from school on an eCargo bike which they absolutely love!”

“What I’m most excited about with the launch of Skarper is that we are offering something entirely new. People will now have the freedom and flexibility to choose whenever they want electric assistance. Within a couple of seconds they can transform the way they ride. I truly believe this is going to make a significant impact on the industry by opening up cycling to a much wider audience”.

Skarper inventor and co-founder Dr. Alastair Darwood, is no stranger to innovation, having previously invented and developed several medical devices in orthopaedics and anaesthesia whilst working as a doctor in the NHS. At the start of the pandemic, Alastair invented one of the novel emergency ventilators selected by the cabinet office for rapid production and worked with Red Bull Advanced Technologies to develop the device in record time.

“At Skarper, we live and breathe innovation and this is just the beginning of our product development”, says Dr. Alastair Darwood. “The Skarper system is fully enclosed and wire free, seamlessly integrating into your bicycle via its DiskDrive™ technology. It is an ultralight, clip-on motor technology, transforming any bike into an eBike with no modification required to the frame or wheels, and without compromise on performance. We are also very excited to be working with Red Bull Advanced Technologies on an off-road version, news of which will be released later this year.”

The Skarper unit fully charges in under 2.5 hours and has a range of up to 60km. With a suite of sensors and control algorithms, the motor intelligently responds to the terrain and provides instant, class leading power as needed. Skarper will be available from 2023 and, with demand expected to be high, the company will soon be taking pre orders for those who want to be amongst the first to use Skarper.According to Ean Brown, CEO and co-founder of Skarper, “this innovation is set to revolutionise the industry with its cutting edge DiskDrive technology. For the first time you can hold an eBike in the palm of your hand. Ultimately, it is our ambition to see the DiskDrive disc brake fitted as standard from the factory on millions of bicycles around the world.”

Skarper is promoting a world in which consumers have the freedom to create their ultimate bike, with no compromise.

Come and see leading sports recovery brand, MyoMaster, offering you the very best recovery products to keep you ahead. Founded by Harlequins rugby player, Joe Gray and avid runner, Lottie Whyte to provide everyday athletes with the ultimate everyday recovery, their products give you the power to train harder.

Offering the strongest and quietest percussive massage therapy guns on the market and the most powerful pneumatic compression in the world, MyoMaster’s products are a must-try.

Visit the Recovery Zone sponsored by MyoMaster on stand G70 at the show.

Graystone is the Home of Action Sports and we’re stoked to be bringing a little piece of our park to the National Cycling Show for the first time. Our super-talented bike and BMX coaches will be offering free ‘Intro to Freestyle Biking’ sessions for total newbies or those who want to brush up on their freestyle skills, led by our Head Coach, Rob Sidlow. Come by our stand to sign up for the skills sessions or just to say ‘hi’ and learn more about why we are known as ‘The Home of Action Sports’.

At Eovolt, we want to make your travels enjoyable again and reinvent urban mobility. And to do that, we needed inspiration. Our inspiration is you. To make you free, more mobile, more spontaneous. To make you enjoy your trips. To become your mobility partner from morning to night. It is for you that we design lightweight, folding, durable, powerful bikes inspired by French excellence and uncompromising on safety. At Eovolt, we believe that the journey is as important as the destination. And we are equally sure, that it’s time to put the fun back into travelling. We will reinvent mobility with the same ease that our bikes fold.

EOVOLT is a French brand whose production site is based in the Lyon region. All our bikes are assembled by hand, by a team of cycling professionals. We ensure that each product meets our high quality standards and we are meticulous in our choice of the various components that we use as well as the partners with whom we work.