The history of Matchrider®
Matchsports is an interactive Sports & Entertainment Company and the proud inventor of the “Matchrider”. The invention of the Matchrider® evolved from work going as far back as 2010 when Matchsports looked at introducing LIVE streaming from within the peloton at the World Tour. Technologically advanced infrastructure with proprietary hardware that could combine and stream LIVE the POV and performance data from each athlete during any race. Sophisticated embedding and transmitting gear that only the Matchrider could receive and interact in real time.
Therefore in order to allow a bike to be ridden as if it was on a road whilst at the same time interactively receive LIVE streaming video with data feeds from bikes in another part of the world our task and problem to solve was clearly set. Step one had our team in search for the type of “home trainer/ exercise bike” that could rise to the challenge of being ridden like a bike out doors and keep up with the video and data at 60 frames per second.
After extensive testing evaluating all available options, we quickly realized that over the course of the last decades there had been little if no innovation in this area. All comparable products tested fell short or simply could not do any of what was required and so the decision was made to invent something from a blank canvas. A platform that was good enough to ride as if you where on the road, within the race! The number one challenge was to create a simulator that felt real, including feeling real to all your muscles. It had to engage the same muscle groups that are used when on the road and unless we could allow the bike moved under a rider, this simply would never work.
Over 70+ prototypes later and we had our solution.
Achieved in part by our now patented Variable Spring Tension (VST) system, this is the system that gives riders the adjustable freedom of movement needed. Once we achieved a safe, practical and adjustable system which allows the bike to move under a rider exactly as on the road, we then moved to resolve another major challenge. “Engaging all the kinetic chain from head to toe so that you are really riding a bike”.
From there we moved to the electronics which in it self was difficult task. Understanding that with every part of a peddle stroke we are generating power wasn’t enough, we needed to know where that power went and as a result was it increasing or decreasing the overall speed. 5 years later we now have a Matchrider retail ready for home and commercial use with electronics designed from ground up to achieve the ultimate road simulation.