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Did some measurements in prep for a human-powered race. I agree - a very in-shape athlete can sustain 200W on a recumbent bike for a couple of hours. The average Joe cannot - he can sustain about 70W continuous, occasionally bursting to 250W.

A cow that could sustain 2kW would be a frightening beast.

Awright, I'll bite ...

1) What gives you the right to something I create?
A: I have no "right" to something you create. However, when you claim copyright protection, you are entering into an agreement that in exchange for a time-limited monopoly, you agree to put your creation into the public domain at the end of the term.

2) What incentive remains for me to create anything if you will only steal it and say you had a "right" to it from the beginning?
A: I'll side-step the presumption of theft on your part, and interpret your questions as "What incentive remains for me to create anything without copyright protection?" I believe that's the jist of the original question. If the only thing that drives you is possession (i.e. "I have something that you don't,") then my answer is "nothing." However, if you are motivated to create "anythings" for reasons other than possession or compensation, I would posit that the answer is within you, and that you are the only one qualified to answer this question. Me personally? I do creative things all the time with no expectation of compensation.

3) Where is the "benefit to society" when those who create choose to stop being creative because it is no longer profitable and protected from theft?
A: Copyright is a modern construct. Artistic and scientific works have been created as far back as cave paintings, all without benefit of copyright protection. Your presumption that "all creative works will stop" is a fiction. The profit-motivated folks may stop, but I and others like me won't stop being creative. See, my art isn't motivated by profit, and that scares the shit out of the folks who currently have a strangle hold on the distribution channel.

They have a good selection, and are quick to ship. We purchased many parts for our entry in Baltimore's Kinetic Sculpture race.

If you're looking for a good selection of gears, dig down into the Power Transmission / Transaxle section, and take apart one of the 2-speed Peerless transaxles. There are bevel gears, a differential, and several nice spur pairs on shafts. Sometimes this transaxle pops up for less money, but not much less.

I'm in the process of building a human-powered vehicle for the Baltimore Kinetic Art event. We've done some testing with semi-pro cyclists, and the conclusion we've come to is that the typical in-shape hyu-mohn can sustain a 1/10 hp output for a pretty long duration - that's about 75 watts. Peak output may reach 1/4 hp for short bursts - just short of 200W. If you've got access to a stationary bike at the gym, there's usually a display mode that'll show power in watts. 200W is a huge load.