Originally Posted by
ramchip
Now that road bikes with "hidden" motors are going to be available to the masses, how would you feel if someone on your club ride had such a bike? In my opinion I feel that anything that keeps people out and about riding is a good thing. What do you think?
Mechanical Doping ? Road Bikes That Pedal Themselves
While not for me, I think that's great as long as it's not a race.
The last time I went for a group ride I had to wait 12.5 minutes for the stragglers after the first 30 minute climb in spite of only giving it a 90% effort and totaled 50 minutes stopped in just over 3 hours. That ride would have been more enjoyable if those people had assistance. A little help will keep things copacetic for heavier people on climbs, smaller people on flats, females whose genetic power limit is about 10% lower than mens' at a given weight, and older people whose output tends to decline 0.5% per year past age 35.
People are already saving tens of Watts through better tires, aero components, aero clothing, and lighter bikes. While the upper bound is higher for an electric motor (the Gruber is good for another 100W) it's just another form of help from the equipment.