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I like a product that is easy to install and even easier to use. I think that’s why I’ve been put off e-bike converter kits. They just seem too complicated. So I’m sticking to the traditional push bikes or trying them out the best electric bikes. I have both in my garage and love being able to choose either option every time I go out for a run.
It seems I no longer need two bikes to make the choice. With start-up Skarper’s new clip-on electric motor and transmission systemSkarper claims it’s easier than ever to convert your bike into a versatile, high-performance e-bike. Could it be the future of electric cycling, and even match the best folding e-bikes for versatility?
Skarper sent me a bike with all Skarper devices fully installed. Therefore, I have not had the opportunity to run the installation, but from watching several videos of the process, it seems quite simple.
Skarper e-bike converter: At a glance
- What is it? A device to convert your bike into a versatile high-performance e-bike.
- Who is it for? Anyone who wants to be able to turn their regular bikes into e-bikes.
- How much does it cost? £1,495.00 (approx $1900 / AU$3000)
Customers are sent a Skarper drive unit, a DiskDrive brake rotor, a DynamicClimb pedal sensor, and a chainstay attachment. Other than a few tools, nothing else is needed to install the complete Skarper system. It should be noted that the Skarper will only work on bikes that have disc brakes. If you have another type of brake system, such as [X/Y]then you will have to opt for a more standard converter kit.
Installation starts by replacing the original brake disc with the Skarper DiskDrive brake rotor. It is to this rotor that the drive unit is attached, while the attachment of the small chain helps to keep the transmission unit in place. The last thing to install is the DynamicClimb pedal sensor, which easily clips around the pedal crank arm. Experienced bike mechanics can do all this in two or three minutes, but most riders probably need about 10 to 15 minutes of fitting to fit the disc brake and drive unit. However, once this initial effort is over and done, the engine can be attached and detached in seconds.
I’ll dive more into how it works in a minute, but let me just say that the Skarper has provided me with one of the best e-bike experiences I’ve ever had. It reminded me of the Tenways CGO600 Pro which I reviewed a while ago. That feeling of high performance and incredible responsiveness of the engine … the Skarper did the same.
As soon as I jumped on the Black Series Multistrada, I saw that this was not an amateur device hoping for a seat at the table. The Skarper on the other hand is already a remarkably robust and feature-rich unit that provides users with power, speed and flexibility. I’m used to e-bikes that take one or two rotations of the pedal before the motor starts. Not so with the Skarper. It settles in so quickly that you really have to adjust your riding style, especially around tight turns and when moving away from standing still.
Once I got used to the immediate response, I was amazed by the power. The Skarper takes you up to 25 km/h with little trouble at all. When I chose the electric assistance, I had a little effort. I missed the ability to cycle through multiple pedal assist modes, but if you want something that will make your ride simple and effortless, then the Skarper is perfect. It’s possible to choose between Eco and Turbo modes if you want a certain level of control, but it’s not as much customization as I’m used to.
Power comes through the DiskDrive brake rotor, a gearbox that is built into the space behind the disc brake rotor. It is a completely sealed unit, which not only has the advantage of being maintenance-free, but also completely waterproof; as a result, I didn’t have to worry about riding in wet conditions or plowing through deep puddles. I was so confident in the engineering that I didn’t think about its ruggedness credentials.
The brake rotor engages beautifully with the drive unit of the brushless motor, which delivers 45Nm of torque, and boy can you feel it. It’s a standard amount of torque but acceleration from 0 to 25 km/h seems almost instantaneous. All you have to worry about is keeping an eye out for the drivers around you, who aren’t expecting you to leave the starting line so quickly.
The only area where I found the Skarper a bit lacking was on steeper slopes. Instead of opting for multiple pedal assist modes, Skarper has engineered a DynamicClimb pedal sensor, which is designed to deliver more power to the motor when needed. This certainly helps with battery life management, but I prefer to be more in control; maybe a hybrid between the dynamic sensor and a manual mode shifter, like the Tenways CGO600 Proit could work.
I took the Skarper around flat city streets and it had no problem, but when I took it on more challenging hills through the rural countryside, it definitely struggled more. At times, it could not even reach the maximum speed of 25 km/h. Maybe I’m asking too much, but I’m sure that in a few years the technology will develop to the point of being able to provide greater torque on steeper slopes. We’ll see.
When you reach a destination, removing the DiskDrive was simple and quick. There are no reliable locks or locks to enter the street. I generally wouldn’t leave an e-bike battery unattended, but I asked the Skarper representatives if they were planning to develop any locking system. They said they weren’t, because no lock can really stop e-bike thieves and therefore the best protection is to take it out and take it with you. I would personally like the option, because you don’t always want to take it with you.
Speaking of carrying it, the unit weighs around 4.5kg so it’s not light. Of course, I didn’t want to wear it any more than I had to. The catch for removing and replacing the Skarper doubles as a handle. Unfortunately, it is offset to one side, which makes carrying the device more awkward than it should be. If Skarper can figure out a way to move this handle to be central to the unit or provide a secondary handle, then I think it would be more ergonomic. To their credit, Skarper does sell a custom-made bag that has a bag specifically designed to carry the battery, but I’d say this bag is a must-have for anyone who needs to walk a significant distance with the Skarper unit in hand. It would have been nice to include it instead of selling it separately.
Being able to remove the Skarper makes it easy to charge both at home and in the office. This can be done with the supplied charger, with a full charge taking just 2.5 hours. This is much faster than many e-bikes I have tested, but it is largely possible due to the limited range. In ECO mode, users can get up to 50 km compared to only 30 km in turbo mode. This isn’t a terrible range, but it’s far from the best. Considering that my daily commute is about 22 km, that doesn’t leave me much in the tank for any detours or problems along the way. I would expect this range to improve with future iterations, but for a first product, it’s certainly not bad. I compared it with my experience with the Brompton C Line Explore.
Throughout my experience using the Skarper, there was one piece that was missing. I couldn’t put my finger on it at first, but after a while I realized what it was. There was simply no screen or app that allowed me to interact with the device. Skarper has done a great job of providing extensive board control, but it’s not enough.
For example, it was not possible to adjust the mode or see the remaining battery life in the middle of the trip. I loved the simplicity of the ride, but I couldn’t help but feel like I was missing that extra level of control. All of this could probably be provided through a handlebar mounted display, but I think it would be much better to provide an app. It was time to get back in touch with Uri at Skarper.
Uri told me that they plan to develop an app in 2025, but they have already done a lot of the hard work of making the Skarper device future-proof. All units have the functionality to connect and communicate with an app, a handlebar display and even bike computers that have their own app market. Therefore, early adopters will not be disadvantaged.
The app will likely provide users with the ability to switch modes, view battery status and interact with Skarper in other ways. This seems like the next logical step in developing a more complete riding experience.
Because this is the first of its kind, I really felt that I had something special; I wonder if this is how the first users of the Apple iPhone or Brompton bicycle felt. It’s that moment when you realize that an entire industry has been redefined right before your eyes. The e-bike market is exploding with a lot of great options, but there are still a lot of gaps in the market. Skarper wants to completely disrupt the industry and if my experience is anything to go by, they just went and did it.
