Motors in the Pro peleton

tunney

Wow - drugs and motors in the peleton.

The story
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/uci-denies-reports-of-motorised-doping

The tech
http://dvice.com/archives/2009/05/gruber-assist-e.php

Lumen

That's ridiculous.

The tech exists but it's far too noisy to go unnoticed.

ROK ON

FB changed bikes in both RVV and PR. This is pro cycling. Almost any type of cheating is conceivable.

mloc123

"We've discovered that it could save a rider between 60 and 100 watts"

where can I buy one of these by Saturday?

Hermy

So that's why Landis changed his bike during the infamous Stage 17.

Qualitymark

Apparently the Gruber Assist is silent.

I really really want one, but at the moment the price is a bit funny - around €475, according to a cycling forum.

There's a video on this (company) page: http://www.gruberassist.com/english/product/product-description/

If the price comes down, this could revolutionise cycletouring - the countryside will be aflock with people who might have jibbed at 50 miles a day cycling before.

Lumen

Qualitymark wrote: »

Apparently the Gruber Assist is silent.

No it isn't.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGYqKBUEelw

Qualitymark

All I can hear is the sound of the bicycle wheel and chain - are you hearing something else, Lumen?

AstraMonti

Ofc.. it sounds like a lightweight black&decker.

Lumen

Qualitymark wrote: »

All I can hear is the sound of the bicycle wheel and chain - are you hearing something else, Lumen?

Yes, there's a distinct high pitched whirring noise.

Qualitymark

Lumen wrote: »

Yes, there's a distinct high pitched whirring noise.

Oh, yeah, now that you say it, I hear a whine. Wonder why it's being tested for in the Tour de France, then - surely people would hear it?

Lumen

Qualitymark wrote: »

Wonder why it's being tested for in the Tour de France, then

Is it?

Chips Lovell

Lumen wrote: »

Is it?

It is. Nicolas Roche, for example, got his bike scanned the other day.

Nietzschean

i presume testing would be carried out under the presumption of take whatever's in the public domain and add x% sophistication + ability for people to pay y times more. Not overly surprising its being tested for imo, doesn't mean it even exists though

Lumen

Nietzschean wrote: »

i presume testing would be carried out under the presumption of take whatever's in the public domain and add x% sophistication + ability for people to pay y times more.

Yeah, but the world of cycling tech often works the other way round. It costs a lot of money to develop new tech, so you want it to get into the hands of the "money no object" punters ASAP. Case in point: Di2.

niceonetom

Lumen wrote: »

Yeah, but the world of cycling tech often works the other way round. It costs a lot of money to develop new tech, so you want it to get into the hands of the "money no object" punters ASAP. Case in point: Di2.

There were two of those punters at the club race last night. If motodoping becomes a reality I think it'll show up at those ranks before Le Tour.

Chips Lovell

niceonetom wrote: »

There were two of those punters at the club race last night.

With Di2?

niceonetom

el tonto wrote: »

With Di2?

Yep. On Madones.

Chips Lovell

niceonetom wrote: »

Yep. On Madones.

Wow. Never noticed anyone with it before.

Qualitymark

Nietzschean wrote: »

i presume testing would be carried out under the presumption of take whatever's in the public domain and add x% sophistication + ability for people to pay y times more. Not overly surprising its being tested for imo, doesn't mean it even exists though

It exists and you can buy it. You can buy me one, if you like.

droidus

Maybe Mockler had one during that infamous race?

Lumen

droidus wrote: »

Maybe Mockler had one during that infamous race?

No, he was just equipped with a sense of direction.

Nietzschean

Qualitymark wrote: »

It exists and you can buy it. You can buy me one, if you like.

Link? Source?

droidus

Lumen wrote: »

No, he was just equipped with a sense of direction.

There was quite a bit of high pitched whining going on before and after though!

Qualitymark

Nietzschean wrote: »

Link? Source?

Oooh, thank you, Nietzschean http://www.gruberassist.com/english/product/product-description/

AstraMonti

droidus wrote: »

There was quite a bit of high pitched whining going on before and after though!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naETPCRruZE

Check this too.

irishmotorist

I don't think it is in use - it's too easy to be found, but to contribute to the conspiracy...

1. Noise Debunked! Noise is muffled by the nearby motorbikes/cheering fans/etc. The rider turns it on when there's more background noise. It's hardly like a back-firing motorbike!

2. More Noise Debunked! The pro cyclist just has to try a bit of a sprint to break from the group and once he's 10m ahead, turn on the juice. It won't be heard, if he picks his spot carefully, he'll be cheered like a mad yoke and that would exceed all sound emitted by the jobbie.

3. Weight Issue Debunked! The bike can only weigh ~6.5kg. Ok, put on super super light gear and make the bike weigh 6kg. Fill the seat tube with 0.5kg of motors and speed and there you have a regulation weight bike!

Lumen

irishmotorist wrote: »

3. Weight Issue Debunked! The bike can only weigh ~6.5kg. Ok, put on super super light gear and make the bike weigh 6kg. Fill the seat tube with 0.5kg of motors and speed and there you have a regulation weight bike!

I'm sure a Specialized Tarmac SL3 with SRAM Red and Zipp 202s coming in at 7kg will raise absolutely no suspicions.

irishmotorist

<:-) Conspiracy hat on again

How's about they have pieces labeled/branded as standard parts but in reality they're from a lighter brand. A brand combo that would be illegal weight-wise, but has been disguised to weigh up to a legal combo!!!