Elvo

vivax assist, Gruber Assist seat tube drive, electric bike

Seems like a nifty device that output 200w for an hour to your crankshaft. That would bring my ftp to 400. A bit pricey at 2700 euro but it is a relative bargain compared to the gear and training required to boost your ftp by 200. Of course it might seem a bit weird if other riders hear a high pitched sound every time you drope the hammer.

datlas 

I heard Fabian Cancellara used one.

OldsCOOL

So maybe it wasnt the PEDs that made them fast?

rpenmanparker 

hamer, not hammer!

rpenmanparker 

I still think this is a great way for cyclists of all levels of ability to ride together kind of like the handicap in golf allows everybody to play together. Supposing it takes 100 watts supplementary power for me to keep up with the A group. What's wrong with us all going out together that way? Of course it wouldn't be too seemly for me to be bragging on how I kicked butt for a ride that I had auxiliary power help on.

bikepro

I doubt you'll get may takers on this idea in the "Road Cycling" forum. Perhaps in the "Electric Bikes" forum.

dnslater

Road racing form might be better.

Fresh 'motorised doping' claims as Ryder Hesjedal's bike 'moves on its own' - Cycling Weekly

FLvector

Sounds like a bad idea. You add 200 watts to a C rider and now they might hang with the A group. Unfortunately, its unlikely the C rider has developed the bike handling skills required that took the A rider many miles to refine. Sounds like a recipe for problems. Might as well ride a moped.

Silvercivic27

Don't worry. The "A" riders would immediately know something was up and would react accordingly. It's not difficult to see who's sketchy and who's not. It's kinda like when triathletes ride with us.

dnslater

Also the high pitched whine of the electric motor.

Silvercivic27

I thought you were going to say the high pitched whine of the "A" riders.

bengreen79

dnslater

I thought about it, it is especially loud once "they know something is up".

rpenmanparker 

They wouldn't have to know something was up, because it wouldn't be a secret in the first place. The idea is for folks who like each other but ride at different levels to be able to ride together. I did neglect the safety issue, but there are plenty of folks with good paceline and group skills who are just not fast enough to hang with better riders without help. High level groups sort lesser riders with inferior group skills out all the time. No reason this should be any different.

roadwarrior

Vaughter's response is classic.

jralbert

Okay, I have to admit that as the new wave of e-bikes have started getting press, I've been wondering when the pros and/or folks in serious training would start using 'em. Think about it: you want to perform a workout that puts you into specific exertion modes for given periods of time, but sometimes the terrain doesn't work with you on that, and your route requires you to climb a hill when you're in the middle of your recovery stage or whatever. With a power-assisted bike, you can specify exactly how much effort you want to expend and the motor will make up the difference, no matter the terrain; this would provide similar benefits to motor pacing, I would imagine. No?