Skarper e-bike conversion kit

[JohnR]

The Skarper e-bike conversion kit has been recently announced https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Skarper/eBike-Drive-System/14PRJ#description. It's an interesting approach in that it's easily removable if not needed. It doesn't appear, however, to be compatible with a Rohloff hub as, even if a Rohloff-compatible modified brake rotor becomes available, it would clash with the Rohloff gear shift mechanism.

[Andre Jute]

Intriguing. Low torque means it would best suit a flat earth commuter. Putting the only control on the power unit on the back wheel rather than the handlebar is a mistake, though probably an ass-covering decision by the makers. Fifty miles range is very likely somewhere between optimistic and snake oil.

Note how all the weight is kept as low on the bike as possible, which is A Good Thing.

While not suggesting that in its first version this motor would necessarily fit a Rohloff, on the other hand it seems to me not beyond man's ingenuity to modify a Rohloff disc brake to take the motor. All disc brakes have a hole through them already, and the Rohloff's EXT klickbox fits to the outside on the axle hanger plate, at any of a whole range of angles to make routing the control cables easier.

Expensive for what it is.

[PH]

It's a clever idea for those just wanting a bit of assistance, but it's still going to suffer the limitations of all ungeared motors, they need to spin fast to be efficient.  A 240Wh battery and 45Nm of torque and it's going to be competing for the same riders as drop in front wheels, which it probably compares quite well too, but it's not comparable to a dedicated E-bike.