It’s still pretty obvious to see bikes that have motors in them. If not because of size of the downtube than from just recognizing the model. I doubt there is anyone doing their own small versions in their bikes for local town sign sprints (and if they were they’d be bragging to all their friends).
It’s still pretty obvious to see bikes that have motors in them.
Some are pretty hard to notice, I think, particularly since giant downtubes are a thing these days in non-ebikes.
- They could just be in better shape, 23mph isn’t all that fast. This is just a rehash of the classic: ‘these guys were faster than me and didn’t look tired, they must be doping’
- If they were on an Ebike you would know. Those things are pretty distinctive
- If they truly used the hidden motor ala Cancellara allegations, then I am both impressed and saddened.
They were riding standard electric bikes.
Lol, I figured the “thats not that fast” comment would come up eventually. I managed to get second overall even at that pedestrian pace. 
Lol, I figured the “thats not that fast” comment would come up eventually. I managed to get second overall even at that pedestrian pace.
The original post has dissappeared but mechanical doping is rare in amateurs I’d say. IMO it seems to be sort of black market sort of stuff. I know I’ve not run across any bike motor websites but then again I’m not searching for them either. It does exist though and from what I’ve read exists in two forms.
One is the bottom bracket, small motor there and small battery in the seat or down tube area.
Second is wheel based and from what I’v read is placed in deep rimmed carbon wheels.
We have a guy in our local racing scene that is riding 3-4mph faster (that’s a lot!) than the next fastest rider that makes me wonder… I digress here’s one article about an amateur getting busted for mechanical doping.
Lol, I figured the “thats not that fast” comment would come up eventually. I managed to get second overall even at that pedestrian pace.
The original post has dissappeared but mechanical doping is rare in amateurs I’d say. IMO it seems to be sort of black market sort of stuff. I know I’ve not run across any bike motor websites but then again I’m not searching for them either. It does exist though and from what I’ve read exists in two forms.
One is the bottom bracket, small motor there and small battery in the seat or down tube area.
Second is wheel based and from what I’v read is placed in deep rimmed carbon wheels.
We have a guy in our local racing scene that is riding 3-4mph faster (that’s a lot!) than the next fastest rider that makes me wonder… I digress here’s one article about an amateur getting busted for mechanical doping.
https://www.cyclingnews.com/...tor-at-italian-race/
Building a bottom bracket motor system wouldn’t be difficult at all, everything you need is on amazon. A high torque motor, li ion batteries, and a few ancillaries to connect/activate everything. The real challenge is connecting it to the drivetrain. At a minimum you need a bespoke BB spindle that has some type of toothed interface, a matching worm gear or 90deg angle joint to connect, and a ratcheting mech so you don’t drive the motor when it’s off. None of these things are off the shelf parts.
Building a bottom bracket motor system wouldn’t be difficult at all, everything you need is on amazon. A high torque motor, li ion batteries, and a few ancillaries to connect/activate everything. The real challenge is connecting it to the drivetrain. At a minimum you need a bespoke BB spindle that has some type of toothed interface, a matching worm gear or 90deg angle joint to connect, and a ratcheting mech so you don’t drive the motor when it’s off. None of these things are off the shelf parts.
No doubt one could MacGyver one with a bit of work BUT I think the solution exists in both forms… you just have to have access to it.
It isn’t on Amazon if you know what I’m saying.
https://www.inverse.com/article/27094-60-minutes-hidden-bicycle-motor
Interesting that the belgian girl that cheated got fined 20k swiss francs…thats a serious punishment for faking fitness in a cyclocross race
I think she used a specialised creo which was visually identical to her actual cross bike…both off the rack. Noone heard a sound of a high frequency motor. She said she grabbed her coaches bike by accident…thats how close
oh the irony…
oh the irony…
Hehe. Yes its funny how polarized this topic is.
There are certain items that give you a speed advantage but the community accepts them as just the sport moving forward.
In interviews and podcasts if heard some of the pros gloat about how many minutes and seconds are saved with specific equipment.
I always thought disk wheels just cut through the air and create less drag because there are no spokes. But a few times I’ve heard pros explain no matter which way the wind hits it its like a sail and propels the bike forward.
Is that a real thing? I have no opinion on disk wheels but is that a real thing? You can all have a lifetime supply of disk wheels for all I care but I didn’t know it works like a sail?
I think he meant ironic that the first 3 threads are about mechanical doping
‘Sail effect’ sounds like propulsion which would be interesting since when bike racing you usually get net head wind so it would be hard to get higher air pressure behind than front. Could be just an effect named optimically by marketeers