Hidden Motors on Pro Cyclists Bikes - 60 Minutes Episode
01-31-17, 12:06 PM
#26
meh
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All depends on the batteries. for 1kg in batteries, I can get 350 watts for 30 minutes. But, in a race 100- 200 watts for 20-30 minutes could be the difference between winning or losing. The trick 5 years ago: is carrying around that extra weight worth the short term benefit in a long distance race?
That is less of a problem if you can:
- lighten the bike to make up for the battery weight
- run a shorter race where just being the first up a hill can make the difference in winning
- use some of the more advanced battery technology available lately.
We are talking the difference from being mid pack to being in the lead during key sprints, it does not take that much of an edge.
When racing, I have no problem staying in the lead pack. If I had an extra 100-200watts available for 5-10 minutes, sure I could take first place.
That is less of a problem if you can:
- lighten the bike to make up for the battery weight
- run a shorter race where just being the first up a hill can make the difference in winning
- use some of the more advanced battery technology available lately.
We are talking the difference from being mid pack to being in the lead during key sprints, it does not take that much of an edge.
When racing, I have no problem staying in the lead pack. If I had an extra 100-200watts available for 5-10 minutes, sure I could take first place.
Watching the segment, the point about Lance seems a stretch until the engineer shows you how he could mount a first gen motor in a USPS frame from the Lance years (1999). And then tested the modified bike with Hamilton - This is NOT proof, but it's suspicious.
I hope the IR cameras they are using at TdF are covering all methods of mechanic doping.
02-02-17, 11:41 AM
#27
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I guess thermal imaging cameras aren't just for hunting Bigfoot anymore! 
The crank gear setup on these seat post motors are very similar to the Focus Project-X removable down tube setup.
The system posted sure has a whine noise to the motor. I wonder how the "lycra cheaters" are keeping theirs quiet?
And wasn't it the lycra crowd that has tried to label E-bikers as cheaters? At least E-bike motors are up front out in the open and not used for racing non-assist bikes. These guys and gals are definitely "cheaters" in the true sense of the word.
The crank gear setup on these seat post motors are very similar to the Focus Project-X removable down tube setup.
The system posted sure has a whine noise to the motor. I wonder how the "lycra cheaters" are keeping theirs quiet?
And wasn't it the lycra crowd that has tried to label E-bikers as cheaters? At least E-bike motors are up front out in the open and not used for racing non-assist bikes. These guys and gals are definitely "cheaters" in the true sense of the word.
02-02-17, 04:22 PM
#28
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TdF riders switch bikes during races all the time... that helps eliminate the need to haul the extra weight when it's not needed.
Watching the segment, the point about Lance seems a stretch until the engineer shows you how he could mount a first gen motor in a USPS frame from the Lance years (1999). And then tested the modified bike with Hamilton - This is NOT proof, but it's suspicious.
I hope the IR cameras they are using at TdF are covering all methods of mechanic doping.
Watching the segment, the point about Lance seems a stretch until the engineer shows you how he could mount a first gen motor in a USPS frame from the Lance years (1999). And then tested the modified bike with Hamilton - This is NOT proof, but it's suspicious.
I hope the IR cameras they are using at TdF are covering all methods of mechanic doping.
02-02-17, 05:25 PM
#29
don't try this at home.
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It's going to be noisy. The gears have to drive the custom crank axle. And the mechanics have to know the bike has been modified. I don't see how this could be done on a major tour.
The cyclocross woman had a small team, easier to keep quiet. And she just needed a short boost on the repeated small steep hills, perfect for a motor assist.
And it's easy to detect:
* noisy during the low speed climbs.
* by heat given off.
* by magnetic fields from many kinds of electric motors -- they've been using cell phone magnetic compass sensors to look for motors.
* remove the non-drive side crank arm and the crank spindle won't slide out due to the gears.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This photo is not from a race, it's from a motor demo. But that doesn't make a good story.
The photo is just too "hot", a great visual.
And the "bike wheel keeps spinning after a crash" has been debunked / explained, too.
See this road.cc story.
The cyclocross woman had a small team, easier to keep quiet. And she just needed a short boost on the repeated small steep hills, perfect for a motor assist.
And it's easy to detect:
* noisy during the low speed climbs.
* by heat given off.
* by magnetic fields from many kinds of electric motors -- they've been using cell phone magnetic compass sensors to look for motors.
* remove the non-drive side crank arm and the crank spindle won't slide out due to the gears.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This photo is not from a race, it's from a motor demo. But that doesn't make a good story.
The photo is just too "hot", a great visual.
And the "bike wheel keeps spinning after a crash" has been debunked / explained, too.
See this road.cc story.
Last edited by rm -rf; 02-02-17 at 05:38 PM.
02-10-17, 08:22 AM
#30
meh
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I still found the 60 Minutes article interesting, and plausible.
02-10-17, 03:02 PM
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my motor is pretty silent. maybe a little whine below 5mph, but when I'm passing people, it is noiseless...
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