We recently noticed custom triathlon shoes from D2, a light vest from DeSoto, compression technology from NormaTec, warmup oil from Sixtus and a quirky line of glasses from Donkey Products.

After 12 years of great success as a self-coached Ironman star, Normann Stadler has chosen to work with Carmichael Training Systems and CTS individual coach Lindsay Hyman in his quest for a third Ironman Hawaii title.

The two-time Kona champ sat with the Slowtwitch publisher to talk bike fit and handling, and why she chose Cannondale’s Slice over the other bikes and bike companies courting her.

Tim DeBoom and CTS’s Kirk Nordgren: To avoid the string of injuries that have plagued the two-time Ironman winner since 2003, it’s time to use high-tech not as toys but as instruments to navigate the final acts of his career

Brad Kahlefeldt outsprints Courtney Atkinson, is now 4-0 on 2009 ITU World Championship finale course; Kiyomi Niwata outruns U23 World Champ Daniela Ryf

Konrad Von Allmen, Mario Gartner battle fierce 60-mph winds, tough rain, sandstorms to win 10th annual Full and Half-Iron distance Israman Triathlon on tough course in the Israeli resort of Eilat.

Since his silver medal win at the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing, Simon Whitfield has been a very busy man. Speaking engagements, a coaching change, a training camp in Maui and some longer races on the horizon. But he had time to talk to slowtwitch.

Craig Alexander and coach Nick White start a new chapter with CTS and triathlon. Alexander, the consummate professional, was self coached for years but sought Carmichael Training Systems help in reaching a new level

Here are Felt’s B16 and Orbea’s Aletta, each bikes inside of that $2000 to $2350 price range, a category that’s a step up from entry-level, but still affordable.

Just what is CTS and can Chris Carmichael replicate Lance Armstrong success in the triathlon world? After initial success with Carmichael in 2000, Peter Reid left after suffering an overtraining meltdown. How CTS regained lost triathlon momentum.

Part One: Carmichael Training Systems now faces an acid test; Can they make a triathlon Murderers Row, a slightly longer-in-the-tooth Triathlon Dream Team, keep performing at their Hall of Fame best?

As we continue a close examination of 09 tri bikes and components, we’ll pause for a commentary on house brands, and ask what we ought to expect from Bontrager, Devox, Body Geometry and the like.

This coming weekend Tucson, Arizona will be the place to be as the 2nd annual TRIFEST will be happening then. A triathlon expo, group rides and runs, a raffle, clinics and several pros highlight the 3 day extravaganza.

The annual Slowtwitch circulation drive is scheduled to wrap on Wednesday, March 4th. An IM Lake Placid entry, a bike fit from Slowman, a Kiwami trisuit, headline a huge list of prizes pledged.

With his win at the 2009 Lotto Ironman Langkawi Malaysia, Luke McKenzie now added a second Ironman title to his resume. Belinda Granger used her bike prowess to repeat her title from 2008.

We stumbled upon items from Panache, Speedplay, and Sugoi, plus a couple fun things.

Garmin Slipstream’s Lucas Euser just finished 8th at the 2009 Tour De Langkawi and already has quite an impressive resume, including a win at the 2008 Univest Grand Prix. He shared a few of his thoughts with Slowtwitch.

Bikes by Giant and Leader, here reviewed, complete our analysis of tri bikes at the entry level. Giant’s tri bikes are leaps ahead of what this company was making earlier this decade, and the Leader is a paradigm-breaker worth considering.

The winner of our design-our-logo (that thing on the upper left hand of every page) contest is Slowtwitch user Cupajoe. In consideration for such, he got himself a Guru Crono. Here’s part II of his blog of the experience.

These are tri bikes that sell in the $1900 to $2400 range. We’re calling them 2nd step because they’re a step above entry level, but not yet to the mid-price range. Herein we look at some attractive values from Kuota and Quintana Roo.

There aren’t many complete tri bikes for sale under $1900 anymore. But there are six, three of which we’ve already reviewed, two more are reviewed here, the Trek Equinox 7 and the Fuji Aloha 2.0

It’s that important category between Neutral and Motion Control, where a lot of the best selling models sit. We’ll look at the best-selling Adrenalin, the red hot Kayano, and the eyebrow raising Avia.

Third in a series of Timothy Carlson’s swimming photo galleries, with images of the triathlon mid-swim, late in the game, and swim exit.

Carina Wasle of Austria wins wire-to-wire on her home course and newcomer Tor-Halvor Bjornstad in his second-ever Winter Triathlon whips fellow Norwegian and defending champion Arne Post at ITU Worlds.