Skarper
Skarper is a London-based manufacturer of a patented, removable click-on e-bike drive system (DiskDrive®) that converts standard disc-brake bicycles into electric bikes, sold DTC and through UK bike brand partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Skarper does
Skarper is a London-based private company that designs, manufactures, and sells a removable click-on, click-off electric bike drive system. The core product is the DiskDrive®, a patented compact electric drivetrain engineered into the space of a rear disc brake rotor that delivers 76Nm of torque, 250W of assist, and up to 50km of pedal-assist range from a 4.5kg removable unit. The system was co-developed over five years with Red Bull Advanced Technologies and includes a wireless Bluetooth DynamicClimb® pedal sensor with adaptive incline detection, IP55 weatherproofing, and EN15194 e-bike certification. Skarper sells primarily through direct-to-consumer e-commerce at £1,495 per unit with free professional installation at certified partner shops, supplemented by bundled partnerships with six UK bike brands (Ribble, Enigma, Sonder, Black Series, Shand, Tiger), Novuna 0% APR financing, and Cycle to Work scheme integration through Cyclescheme and Green Commute Initiative that delivers up to 47% salary-sacrifice savings. The company has raised £12.8M to date across a 2023 seed round (£4M led by Starry Group and Mobilitech Capital) and a 2024 Series A (£4.5M led by Adjuvo), and the product is currently sold UK-only with EU and US expansion planned.
Skarper firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Skarper
- Legal name
- Blue Sky IP Ltd
- Website
- https://skarper.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Skarper is a London-based manufacturer of a patented, removable click-on e-bike drive system (DiskDrive®) that converts standard disc-brake bicycles into electric bikes, sold DTC and through UK bike brand partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Skarper industry classification
Industry- Product category
- E-bike Drive Systems / Electric Bike Components
- NAICS
- Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing (336991), Motorcycle, ATV, and All Other Motor Vehicle Dealers (441227)
- SIC
- Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts (3751)
- akta.pro primary industry
- E-bikes & E-cargo Bikes Manufacturing (IMACAOAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Bike Parts & Components Retail (CRAMAHAB), Cycling & Micromobility Products Distribution (CRAOAJAF), Cycling & Bike Retail (Sales, Service & Accessories) (CRAMABAH)
Keywords
Where Skarper is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Skarper business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- eBike Drive System Sales: One-time hardware sale of Skarper eBike drive system at £1,495. Includes drive unit, DiskDrive rotor, pedal sensor, battery, charger, and free professional installation. Additional revenue from accessories: 2nd Bike Kit (DiskDrive rotor) at £295, backpack at £189.95, pedal sensor at £59.95, chainstay latch at £39.95, and charger. No subscription fees - one-time purchase with 2-year warranty.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Skarper eBike Drive System - core product |
| Hybrid | Monthly | Interest-free financing via Novuna |
| Subscription | Monthly | Cycle to Work scheme |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 2nd Bike Kit (DiskDrive rotor) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Skarper accessories |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
Skarper product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Skarper designs, manufactures, and sells a removable electric bike drive system that converts standard disc-brake bicycles into e-bikes. The patented DiskDrive® technology houses a complete electric drivetrain inside the space of a rear disc brake rotor, allowing cyclists to click the 4.5 kg unit on for assisted riding and click it off to ride acoustically. The core system (drive unit, DiskDrive rotor, DynamicClimb pedal sensor, battery, and charger) sells for £1,495 with free professional installation at partner shops, supported by spare parts, accessories, and bike brand bundles.
Product overview
Skarper offers a modular e-bike conversion ecosystem centered on its click-on, click-off drive system. The core product is the Skarper eBike Drive System - a removable 4.5kg unit developed with Red Bull Advanced Technologies that converts standard disc-brake bicycles into e-bikes. The system includes the patented DiskDrive rotor, DynamicClimb pedal sensor, and companion app with multiple assist modes. Supporting the core system are add-on products including the 2nd Bike Kit for multi-bike households, spare parts (Chainstay Latch, DynamicClimb Pedal Sensor, Charger), and the Skarper Backpack for portable storage. The company also offers test ride services through its certified partner store network.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Skarper eBike Drive System A removable 4.5 kg click-on drive system that converts standard disc-brake bicycles into high-performance e-bikes, delivering 76Nm of torque and up to 50km pedal assist range. Co-developed with Red Bull Advanced Technologies, it features IP55 weatherproofing and UK/EU compliance. Sold at £1,495 with free professional installation included.
- 2nd Bike Kit (DiskDrive Rotor) Additional DiskDrive rotor kit priced at £295 that allows users to swap their Skarper drive unit between multiple bikes in seconds. Enables electrification of a second bicycle without purchasing an additional drive unit.
- Skarper Backpack
Quantifiable outcome
- 8 out of 10 Skarper riders now cycle weekly and further than before
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Skarper
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Skarper technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Skarper partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- NovunacoreNovuna and Skarper partnership offering interest-free financing for Skarper's removable eBike Drive System. Allows UK consumers to spread the cost over 10 months with no interest charges. Collaboration aims to lower the upfront cost barrier for electric bike upgrades and expand market access for e-mobility technology.
- Red Bull Advanced TechnologiesflagshipFive-year landmark collaboration to develop the DiskDrive system. The engineering team behind championship-winning F1 cars optimized elite motorsport gearbox technology into the space of a bike rear disc brake. Andy Damerum, Red Bull Advanced Technologies, called it 'A true engineering breakthrough.' The partnership produced 76Nm of motorsport-grade torque in a compact removable unit.
- RibblecoreUK-based bike brand partnership for bundled bike + Skarper packages. Ribble offers road and gravel bikes that can be purchased with Skarper included, saving up to 47% through Cycle to Work. Part of network of partner shops offering free Skarper installation.
- EnigmacoreUK-based bike brand partnership for bundled bike + Skarper packages. Enigma offers steel and titanium bikes that can be purchased with Skarper included through Cycle to Work scheme.
- SondercoreUK-based bike brand partnership for bundled bike + Skarper packages. Sonder offers road and gravel bikes bundled with Skarper through Cycle to Work.
- Black SeriescoreUK-based bike brand partnership for bundled bike + Skarper packages. Black Series bikes available with Skarper included through partner network.
- ShandcoreUK-based bike brand partnership for bundled bike + Skarper packages. Shand offers bikes bundled with Skarper through Cycle to Work scheme.
- TigercoreUK-based bike brand partnership for bundled bike + Skarper packages. Tiger bikes available with Skarper through partner network of certified installers.
- CycleschemecoreLeading UK Cycle to Work provider enabling employees to purchase Skarper via salary sacrifice with tax savings up to 47%. Skarper offers free concierge service to guide customers through the Cyclescheme application process.
- Green Commute InitiativeminorUK Cycle to Work provider partnered with Skarper for tax-efficient salary sacrifice purchases. Alternative to Cyclescheme for employee bike purchase programs.
- Sir Chris HoyflagshipSix-time Olympic Gold Medallist and prominent British cyclist as Skarper ambassador. Backs the company and promotes the product as 'the future of cycling.' Sir Chris Hoy's involvement adds credibility and celebrity endorsement to the brand.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Skarper competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cytronex: UK-based e-bike conversion kit specialist offering lightweight systems that can be fitted to existing bikes. Direct competitor in the same niche of preserving the original bike while adding electric assistance, though Cytronex uses bottle-battery integration rather than disc-brake form factor.
- Bafang: Leading Chinese manufacturer of e-bike motors, batteries, and complete drive systems for both aftermarket conversion and OEM integration. Bafang represents the dominant alternative source of e-bike drive technology that Skarper's DiskDrive competes with in the conversion kit market.
- Swytch Technology: London-based direct competitor offering removable e-bike conversion kits that mount to a bike's front wheel hub. Both target cyclists who want to retrofit electric assistance onto existing bicycles without purchasing a dedicated e-bike, competing for the same UK consumer segment.
Emerging players
- Copenhagen Wheel: Removable electric rear-wheel conversion system with built-in battery and motor, sold primarily in European markets. Comparable positioning as a premium e-bike retrofit product targeting urban commuters who want electrification without replacing their existing bike.
- Clip (formerly Velo AI / eBike clip-on): Early-stage portable e-bike motor that clips onto the frame in seconds, directly mirroring Skarper's removable/portable value proposition. Targets the same customer pain of converting any bike to electric on demand, though uses a different mechanical mounting approach.
Broad incumbents
- Shimano Steps: Major Japanese component manufacturer's e-bike drive system line widely integrated into OEM e-bikes from premium bike brands. Skarper must position against Shimano's quality reputation and bike dealer network when competing for upgrade customers and potential OEM partnerships.
- Bosch eBike Systems: Dominant e-bike drive system manufacturer with deep OEM partnerships across major bike brands. While Bosch focuses on integrated (non-removable) systems, it represents the strategic incumbent Skarper must compete with for both aftermarket upgrades and OEM fitment opportunities.
- Brose Drive Systems: German automotive supplier's e-bike drive division providing motors and integrated systems to premium bike manufacturers. A potential OEM partner for Skarper's DiskDrive if it pursues factory integration, or a competing supplier if bike brands choose integrated systems over aftermarket add-ons.
- Yamaha Power Assist Bicycle: Japanese motor giant's e-bike drive systems with deep OEM integration across multiple bike brands. A potential OEM licensing partner or competitive threat depending on whether Yamaha chooses to develop a removable competitor to DiskDrive.
Regional players
- Ribble Cycles: UK-based premium road and gravel bike brand and Skarper channel partner. Comparable as a UK cycling brand selling premium bikes directly to consumers, useful as a peer for understanding UK cycling D2C economics, though Ribble sells complete bikes rather than conversion systems.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Skarper social profiles
Digital presenceSkarper compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance9 records
Skarper financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Skarper leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Skarper funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Skarper M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Skarper
What does Skarper do?
Skarper designs, manufactures, and sells a removable electric bike drive system that converts standard disc-brake bicycles into e-bikes. The patented DiskDrive® technology houses a complete electric drivetrain inside the space of a rear disc brake rotor, allowing cyclists to click the 4.5 kg unit on for assisted riding and click it off to ride acoustically. The core system (drive unit, DiskDrive rotor, DynamicClimb pedal sensor, battery, and charger) sells for £1,495 with free professional installation at partner shops, supported by spare parts, accessories, and bike brand bundles.
Is Skarper a public or private company?
Skarper is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Skarper founded?
Skarper was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Skarper based?
Skarper is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Skarper make money?
One revenue line is on record: eBike Drive System Sales.
Who are Skarper's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cytronex, Bafang and Swytch Technology. Emerging players are Copenhagen Wheel and Clip (formerly Velo AI / eBike clip-on). Broad incumbents are Shimano Steps, Bosch eBike Systems, Brose Drive Systems and Yamaha Power Assist Bicycle. Ribble Cycles is listed as a regional player.
Does Skarper have an API?
No public API is recorded for Skarper.
What industry is Skarper in?
Skarper's product category is E-bike Drive Systems / Electric Bike Components. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACAOAA, E-bikes & E-cargo Bikes Manufacturing, with a secondary code of CRAMAHAB, Bike Parts & Components Retail. Its NAICS code is 336991 and its SIC code is 3751.