Story on Hidden Motors

[marle]

Correct Link --

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/sports/cycling/05cycle.html?ref=sports

If true a simple test may be to put the winning bike on a stand then pedal the wheel next to a compass. A motor may emit magnetic waves and make the compass spin.

[572cv]

this test would not work if the cyclist was using the old "twisted rubber band inside the downtube" trick..... ;)

[Lifelover]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h-FV-SKTR1IZ6scrSFU4b5DsCGngD9G408M80

If true a simple test may be to put the winning bike on a stand then pedal the wheel next to a compass. A motor may emit magnetic waves and make the compass spin.

......Thanks

[dvs cycles]

Correct Link --

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/sports/cycling/05cycle.html?ref=sports

If true a simple test may be to put the winning bike on a stand then pedal the wheel next to a compass. A motor may emit magnetic waves and make the compass spin.
The gruber drive only engages when a button is pushed.

[Louis]

this test would not work if the cyclist was using the old "twisted rubber band inside the downtube" trick..... ;)

I tried that using my momentum from going downhill to wind up the rubber band but it only caused me to go back up the hill - backwards. :p

[scooter]

The Gruber requires a seat tube with an inner diameter of 31.6 mm. If it fit, I planned to buy one for my next club ride. Would that make me a MacGruber or a MacFabian?

[Vancouverdave]

I'm loving this whole subject. I've been a cyclist since 1968, worked in the industry since 1972 and have NEVER had such a great bike-related laugh, ever. This is comic relief to all the **** going on in the world, and is greatly appreciated here!

[Charles M]

Good Guerilla mktg... I've seen this a couple of times now. Just manufactured controversy

[AFS]

I'm loving this whole subject. I've been a cyclist since 1968, worked in the industry since 1972 and have NEVER had such a great bike-related laugh, ever. This is comic relief to all the **** going on in the world, and is greatly appreciated here!
Yup, it's been a long time since I've seen something this funny.

[Ahneida Ride]

This add 4-5 pounds to a bike .. eh ????

So for a long race ... would not the handicap of schlepping around
all that extra weight, defeat the momentary gains of invoking the motor ?

[Louis]

This add 4-5 pounds to a bike .. eh ????

So for a long race ... would not the handicap of schlepping around
all that extra weight, defeat the momentary gains of invoking the motor ?

Not a problem. During a race they can change bikes as often as they desire, so they can switch to the "turbo assist" model right before they need it... :)

[johnnymossville]

an 11lb bike with 4lbs of motor is still pretty light. Of course, the whole story is bogus, but people are talking about cycling, so I guess it worked.

[daker13]

Not a problem. During a race they can change bikes as often as they desire, so they can switch to the "turbo assist" model right before they need it... :)

So the supposed pics of Cancellara pushing buttons would only be from the end of the race?

Pretty silly.

[scooter]

In my crystal ball I see stage 7 of the 2010 Grand Boucle from Station des Rousses, Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen commentating:
Phil – The SaxoBank boys are escorting the remnants of the peloton up to the start of the climb for the first stage with a mountain top finish in this year’s tour. The heads of state have come to the fore. Fabian Cancellara is on the front powering up the climb like a diesel locomotive. SaxoBank is hoping to launch the Schleck brothers to a stage win and the top of the GC standings, Paul.
Paul –Did you see that Phil? Cancellara shot up that hill as if he had jet engines strapped to his thighs. I’ve never seen anything quite like it! No one can stay on his wheel.
Phil – Wait a minute! Do you hear that? Above the din of the motor cars, motorcycles, and the screaming fans. It’s a high pitched whine coming from Cancellara’s bike.
Paul – Yes, I do believe I hear it, too. It can only mean one thing.
Phil – He’s motor doped. Cancellara has juiced his ride.
Paul – Christian Prudhomme and Bernard Hinault are gesticulating wildly from the commissaire’s car. They must be listening, too. Two gendarmes on motorcycles have come up and are corralling Cancellara. They’re pulling him off his bike.
Phil – Cancellara’s bike is still moving, Phil. Bob Roll is getting out of the press car. What’s this? He’s pulling a bazooka out. He aims at the runaway bike and blasts it to pieces. Bull’s-eye for Bobke.
Paul – And now, Bernard Hinault is running over to Cancellara. He punches him in the mouth and knocks him down.
Phil – Bob Roll is walking over to Cancellara. He’s reaching down to help him up... No, he’s removing Cancellara’s road id. Such an indignity!

[MattTuck]

In my crystal ball I see stage 7 of the 2010 Grand Boucle from Station des Rousses, Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen commentating:
Phil – The SaxoBank boys are escorting the remnants of the peloton up to the start of the climb for the first stage with a mountain top finish in this year’s tour. The heads of state have come to the fore. Fabian Cancellara is on the front powering up the climb like a diesel locomotive. SaxoBank is hoping to launch the Schleck brothers to a stage win and the top of the GC standings, Paul.
Paul –Did you see that Phil? Cancellara shot up that hill as if he had jet engines strapped to his thighs. I’ve never seen anything quite like it! No one can stay on his wheel.
Phil – Wait a minute! Do you hear that? Above the din of the motor cars, motorcycles, and the screaming fans. It’s a high pitched whine coming from Cancellara’s bike.
Paul – Yes, I do believe I hear it, too. It can only mean one thing.
Phil – He’s motor doped. Cancellara has juiced his ride.
Paul – Christian Prudhomme and Bernard Hinault are gesticulating wildly from the commissaire’s car. They must be listening, too. Two gendarmes on motorcycles have come up and are corralling Cancellara. They’re pulling him off his bike.
Phil – Cancellara’s bike is still moving, Phil. Bob Roll is getting out of the press car. What’s this? He’s pulling a bazooka out. He aims at the runaway bike and blasts it to pieces. Bull’s-eye for Bobke.
Paul – And now, Bernard Hinault is running over to Cancellara. He punches him in the mouth and knocks him down.
Phil – Bob Roll is walking over to Cancellara. He’s reaching down to help him up... No, he’s removing Cancellara’s road id. Such an indignity!


bravo. you got a laugh out of me.

[blschaefer1]

In my crystal ball I see stage 7 of the 2010 Grand Boucle from Station des Rousses, Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen commentating:
Phil – The SaxoBank boys are escorting the remnants of the peloton up to the start of the climb for the first stage with a mountain top finish in this year’s tour. The heads of state have come to the fore. Fabian Cancellara is on the front powering up the climb like a diesel locomotive. SaxoBank is hoping to launch the Schleck brothers to a stage win and the top of the GC standings, Paul.
Paul –Did you see that Phil? Cancellara shot up that hill as if he had jet engines strapped to his thighs. I’ve never seen anything quite like it! No one can stay on his wheel.
Phil – Wait a minute! Do you hear that? Above the din of the motor cars, motorcycles, and the screaming fans. It’s a high pitched whine coming from Cancellara’s bike.
Paul – Yes, I do believe I hear it, too. It can only mean one thing.
Phil – He’s motor doped. Cancellara has juiced his ride.
Paul – Christian Prudhomme and Bernard Hinault are gesticulating wildly from the commissaire’s car. They must be listening, too. Two gendarmes on motorcycles have come up and are corralling Cancellara. They’re pulling him off his bike.
Phil – Cancellara’s bike is still moving, Phil. Bob Roll is getting out of the press car. What’s this? He’s pulling a bazooka out. He aims at the runaway bike and blasts it to pieces. Bull’s-eye for Bobke.
Paul – And now, Bernard Hinault is running over to Cancellara. He punches him in the mouth and knocks him down.
Phil – Bob Roll is walking over to Cancellara. He’s reaching down to help him up... No, he’s removing Cancellara’s road id. Such an indignity!

That is a good stuff. My morning needed a laugh!