Access to the latest digital technologies has been crucial in enabling the design innovations that led to Paralympic cycling glory. In 2013, two young engineers, Mike Booker and Dan Bigham, joined the Oxford Brookes University Cycling Club due to unrelated injuries. Mike left the rowing club, while Dan left the triathlon team. Both were studying motorsport engineering, drawn to the parallels between cycling and engineering—optimising equipment and human performance to achieve higher performance. After graduating, they stayed in touch.
Founding WattShop: From Limited Budget to High-Performance Cycling Equipment
In 2016, with the aim of supporting his professional athletic career, Dan founded WattShop, a high-performance cycling equipment company. The company began by creating carbon fiber armrests and other parts that could be produced on a limited budget. Meanwhile, Mike Booker, working at a product design consultancy firm in North Wales, had begun making his own products in his spare time. His first concept—a ‘traffic light’ style display that enabled cyclists to view power output without diverting focus from the road—highlighted his product development capabilities. Impressed by this, Dan brought Mike on as a product designer at WattShop.
Role of AMRC Cymru in Cycling Equipment Manufacturing
Now head of innovation at the University of Sheffield AMRC Cymru in Broughton, North Wales, Mike continues his innovative work outside his day job. After targeting the 2020 Olympics (delayed to 2021 due to the pandemic), WattShop released the Cratus crank, designed to improve aerodynamics with a narrow Q-factor and stiffer crank structure. In November 2019, a sudden change in UCI regulations led Dan to quickly redesign an interface plate within two weeks. Turning to Meggitt, a team partner and AMRC tier two member, the AMRC Cymru was called in to assist, known for their capability to execute unique manufacturing projects under tight timeframes.
Advanced Manufacturing Techniques and Design Capabilities
AMRC Cymru, part of the High-Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult and funded by the Welsh Government, supports various innovative technologies including artificial intelligence, additive layer manufacturing, robotics, augmented reality, industrial internet of things (IIoT), and digital twins. This includes design and prototyping services, capabilities that WattShop tapped into for its Olympic cycling innovations.
Olympic Innovations: Cratus Crank and Anemoi Extensions
In 2021, WattShop released the Anemoi extensions, named for the Greek gods of wind, designed to achieve optimal aerodynamic positions. Team Denmark used these extensions to win silver in Team Pursuit at the Tokyo Olympics. While primarily designed for able-bodied athletes, WattShop also adapted components for the Team GB Paralympics team to suit specific individual needs.
Cycling Technology Successes: Olympic and World Records
Following the Tokyo games, WattShop and Dan Bigham continued their path to success. In 2021, Dan broke the UK Men’s hour record, previously held by Sir Bradley Wiggins, and later set a world hour record in 2022, all while using WattShop equipment. Italian cyclist Filippo Ganna later surpassed Dan’s record in 2022 using WattShop parts, gaining considerable attention for the brand. Mike Booker remarked, “That generated a lot of interest.”
Innovation Continues: Preparing for the Paris 2024 Games
Looking ahead to 2024, WattShop released the Anemoi Mk2 extension and the Cratus crank, which debuted at the Olympics, with parts used by cycling teams from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Great Britain, and the USA. Dan noted the widespread impact of WattShop’s cycling innovation: “For WattShop components to pick up multiple Olympic medals and records across different nations is a dream for the WattShop team. Although, for me, it was a nightmare racing against my own equipment, knowing how fast it is!”
Cycling Innovation and the Road to Paralympic Gold
Australia’s victory in the Men’s Team Pursuit, using the Cratus crank, and Great Britain’s silver win with the Anemoi Delta extensions, secured WattShop parts on two of the three podium slots. With UK records, world records, and Olympic gold medals attributed to WattShop, Mike commented, “There’s not much higher we can get than that.” With China, France, and Great Britain’s Paralympic teams now using WattShop parts, a full podium sweep is still within reach.
Advancing Cycling for All Athletes
Aligned with AMRC’s philosophy, which holds that advancements in manufacturing benefit everyone, Mike maintains a similar mindset in his cycling innovation pursuits: “The goal is to advance cycling as a sport. I want to see cyclists increase their performance, no matter who they are.”
