February 11, 2021 - (Monaco) From HPS a revolutionary project: a road bike that weighs 8.5 kg with an electric motor and battery, good for up to three hours of Watt assisted cycling. The HPS project was created to offer a high-end road bicycle with an electric motor that behaves and weighs exactly like an unassisted road bike – without compromise.

It is a new concept, which transforms the approach to e-bikes, offering both lightweight components and superior power output when the rider needs it most. Through innovation and advanced engineering HPS have revolutionised the e-bike market and moves away from the methods being used by other manufacturers.

To keep costs down, and for manufacturing simplicity, competitor systems are generally heavier, with an invasive engine, battery and electronics system which in-turn creates challenges and effects the design integrity of the frame. The large motors in the rear hub or in the bottom bracket coupled with heavy batteries in the down tube create an unnatural ride on a heavy bike.

Introducing our Revolutionary ‘Watt Assist’ Technology

HPS has created the HPS Domestique 1-21 Launch Edition, an uncompromising assisted road bike. The elements; motor, battery and electronics are compact, lightweight and perfectly integrated into the frame: you don’t see these parts and most of all you don’t feel them when riding. This is also true also when the system is not activated. The components are strategically positioned in the centre of the frame to deliver exceptional handling and balance for the rider. When activated, the motor seamlessly delivers power and a handling experience like no other, enhancing the riders output significantly.

Typically, the weight of the other e-motor systems on the market varies, from 4.5 kg to over 7 kg (including modifications to the frame); the HPS Watt Assist System weighs just 1.5 kg including 85 Wh battery. Coupled with a custom hand-made carbon fibre frame, it is possible to create an assisted road bike that weighs only 8.5 kg, compared to over 12 kg for the closest competitor. This objective was achieved by working on all the components, first of all on the engine, then on the motion transmission system, finally on the battery and electronics. The HPS Watt Assist System was fine-tuned working with one of Formula 1’s leading engineers, developing a system that harnesses the power of an ultra-light battery and a small, lightweight motor positioned above the bottom bracket with incredible precision. The reliability of the system is guaranteed by our carefully selected engineering partners who design and build components that are used in the aeronautical and motorsports industries. Furthermore, the production process meets the highest quality standards, and each piece is rigorously tested in our laboratories.  The result is an elegant and compact High Performance System that is located in the bottom bracket, integrating seamlessly within the frame, which hides the extremely light and compact electric motor in the seat tube: everything, from the bike to the mechanical, electrical and electronic components, is made without compromise.

One of the goals was to consider the integrity of the frame and the appearance of the bike: this is why the battery was designed to mimic the look and also the weight of a standard water bottle. It is installed in place of the second bottle in the specially designed Domestique bottle cage, developed in collaboration with Elite, and activates the Watt Assist system providing up to three hours of power.

Two batteries are available. The standard, 193 Wh weighs 1.2 kg and provides up to three hours of pedal assistance; the other, 85 Wh (flight safe), weighs 720 grams has a duration of  up to 1.5 hours which can be taken on commercial aircraft, as established by air safety regulations. Numerous tests have shown that it is more than enough for most rides: the bike weighs less than 9 kg and the Watt Assist system is activated only when needed. With the standard battery you can return with some unused energy. Why carry extra weight?

The Motor and Electronics
The electronics managing the motor and battery have been designed and engineered to be housed in the down tube. This is to maintain the design integrity of the bike, positioned low, near the bottom bracket to lower the centre of gravity and not affect the riding dynamics.

When the system is deactivated, pedaling is natural thanks to the patented freewheel system that frees the bottom bracket from the transmission mechanism of the motor. The result of this very advanced project with minimal dimensions allows installation in the seat tube.
The motor has a maximum power of 200 Watts and a maximum torque of 20 Nm. A power to weight ratio of 133 watts per kilo is class leading, by a big margin!

The launch of HPS and it’s Watt Assist System is entrusted to the HPS Domestique 1-21 Launch  Edition top-of-the-range road/racing bike which will be assembled in a special numbered 21 piece series. Frame and components of the highest level feature in this revolution of the e-bike sector.

The frame, the components and Campagnolo
The frames for the HPS Domestique 1-21 are handmade by master frame builders to HPS’ exacting specifications, with the highest quality carbon fiber used.

Campagnolo, who supply the EKAR group set, participated in road tuning, providing their knowledge and their own product manager and tester, Nicolò Martinello, alongside HPS’ Phil Deignan, former professional for Team Sky who has been the lead development test rider in the project since the beginning. Campagnolo with the complete Ekar group set, supply the Ergopower controls, the discs, the calipers, the chain and also the Shamal Carbon wheels.

The choice of HPS to join Campagnolo in this launch edition HPS Domestique 1-21 was aimed to maximise the characteristics of the bike, the comfort and fluid reliable pedaling even on the most demanding of climbs where the athlete pushes themselves as well as the motor. The beautiful and particular blue colour, which fades towards black at the rear, was also created together with Campagnolo.

The components are of the highest level and are all Italian. Handlebar, stem, seat post and handlebar tape are by Deda Elementi, the saddle is Scicon designed by ASG Bike Science, the tyres by Pirelli P zero.

The HPS Domestique 1-21 is a revolutionary racing style bike. At the most critical moments you can count on the help of the motor, designed around lightweight, smooth pedaling and comfort. There is no typical cyclist, the HPS Domestique 1-21 is perfect for those who want to ride in groups with their fitter friends, for those who want to try extreme riding routes, and also for the rider who wants to keep a specific level of training in a recovery period and thus the bike becomes part of their training program.

Customer Service
For those who want to go deep into the details of this bike, understand how to get the most out of it, make the correct choice when buying, HPS offers:  “Talk to the expert” service. Phil Deignan, former Team Sky pro, will be available by e-mail and phone calls, if necessary by appointment, to give all the information that a potential customer wants.

Phil will also be available to give advice on how to best use the performance of the Watt Assist system. How to train, giving insights on how this bike takes the athlete beyond their limits. 

Delivery and price
The HPS Domestique 1-21 Limited Edition can be booked and ordered directly on the web-site here. Shipment and the delivery, scheduled within three months from the order, will be carried by a courier. The recommended retail price is €12,000 euros.

HPS the company
HPS (High Performance Systems) develops technologically advanced engineering solutions for mobility and sports applications. It was born five years ago with a very specific goal, Harry Gibbings, founder and CEO talks about it: “I love cycling and I think it should be a pleasure for everyone, regardless of fitness or ability. So I thought about building an e- bike, I wanted it to be nice and light, to ride, just like a top-of-the-range road bike with or without electric motor assistance. A difficult task. For this I needed a team of great technical experts from Formula 1 and so on. I have selected the best European engineering talent available. A project without borders has succeeded: Swiss precision, German quality, Italian craftsmanship, Formula 1 engineering from Britain and Ireland, all created in our Monte-Carlo headquarters. Cutting-edge technology was fundamental to the project, in fact innovation was the only way to reach the goal “.

Project Funding
The HPS Domestique project is privately funded, with over 5 million euros being invested: this investment has allowed HPS to meet the rigorous design parameters set when creating such a small and light-weight system. The Company has conceived and manufactured every component from the ground up, without compromise. Over 50% of the budget was invested in research and development, with the technical solutions developed being patented.