Cyplore, a new and ultra-light retrofit system available on Kickstarter, is designed to provide electric assistance for gravel and road bikes – though in principle it could also be fitted to slim urban bikes.
At the heart of the system is a compact unit comprising a rear wheel with an integrated motor designed for 142 mm wide thru-axles, a removable 111 Wh battery the size of a water bottle, and a small control unit; it can be fitted to existing bicycles without any major modifications.
The motor assistance is based on a torque sensor integrated into the drive unit, which continuously measures the pedalling effort and adjusts the assistance accordingly, thereby eliminating the need for additional sensors or complex cabling. Consequently, the connection is limited to a single cable to the battery, which can be charged via USB-C in line with modern standards, whilst the control unit on the handlebars communicates wirelessly with the system.
Weighs just 1.7 kg
The assistance is automatically activated whilst riding and integrates seamlessly into the driving experience without requiring any active intervention; when the system is deactivated, the drive is completely disengaged, so that no additional resistance is generated. The focus here is clearly on delivering the most direct and unadulterated riding experience possible, which is why the motor has been deliberately designed to be restrained, with a torque of just 23 Nm, and is aimed at sporty drivers rather than prioritising high performance figures.
Combined with the system’s relatively low weight of around 1.7 kilograms, this results in an approach that focuses less on maximum assistance and more on a subtle enhancement of the existing bicycle.
Integration into existing digital ecosystems is achieved via an ANT+ interface, which allows ride data such as speed and cadence to be displayed in real time on compatible cycle computers, whilst a companion app provides additional features such as battery level display, adjustment of assistance levels and ride analysis.
Price and availability
Cyploreist is available for pre-order here via the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform, with prices starting at 599 US dollars for a set comprising a motor, control unit and battery to build your own scooter, and going up to 779 US dollars for a complete rear wheel; Delivery is scheduled to begin in November 2026, although – as is usual with crowdfunding projects – placing an order involves a degree of risk.
