Small motor on a race bike frame?

[dd74]

This happened a couple weeks ago, but it's still on my mind. I was riding up Pacific Coast Highway, it was late afternoon/early evening, and a racer passed me going at least 30 mph. This was while going up a false flat into a headwind. The guy was going so fast, he was in the traffic lane with cars behind and in front of him.

I never got a clear view of him as he passed by so quickly, but I did notice something triangular fitted between his down and seat tube which from there connected to the crank arms. Maybe I'm imagining things, but I still wonder if he had some sort of motor on his road bike.

This was a traditional road bike, btw. And the rider looked very strong. But even so...

Question: does there exist a small battery-powered motor for road racing bike that fits between the down and seat tube. I'd ask Fabian Cancellara though I already know what his answer would be.

[biker72]

The Specialized Turbo.
http://turbo.specialized.com/
I think these run around $6k retail.

Add a set of drop bars and you're ready to go....

[moose8]

The Specialized Turbo.
http://turbo.specialized.com/
I think these run around $6k retail.

Add a set of drop bars and you're ready to go....

At what point does it stop being a bike and become something else? Though I bet it is super fun to putz around on. I tried a friend's electric bike and I felt like superman when I pedaled uphill on it.

[MattTuck]

I work right next to the engineering school, and there are a bunch of students with home brew set ups that include a motor/engine on a regular bike (usually mountain bike but not always). So, if it was something the guy did himself, it seems possible.

The commercial one that I know of is called the Gruber Assist. Now it is called Vivax Assist. (http://www.vivax-assist.com/en/unternehmen/index.php) But it fits inside the seat tube. So you wouldn't see it.

It is neat though. A little red button on the handlebars to turn it on. Reminds me of Super Pursuit Mode on Knight Rider. (SPM Montage. Classic. :banana: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8dWW9KxqlQ))

[biker72]

At 50 pounds you need all the turbo boost you can get....:)
Specialized is a little vague about how far you can get on one charge.

The Trek electric assist bikes could easily get 50 miles between charges.

[RedRider]

Affectionately called the LoVici