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Articles by Slowman

News

Ironman: Is it all about Pipe?

 Why did the Gills family sell the Ironman? Why did Providence Equity Partners, a private equity company, buy it? What does it all mean to you and me?
News

WTC sold to private equity firm

 After almost 20 years of ownership by the Gills family, World Triathlon Corporation, owner of the Ironman World Triathlon Championship, has been sold to the private equity firm Providence Equity Partners.
News

Blackwell Research on the brink

 John Cobb's venture capital start-up, Blackwell Research, was a bold venture that's run out of capital. Absent a white knight riding in (in the aero position) Blackwell is destined to cease as a carbon-based life form.
Industry

Will it go ’round in circles?

 Triathletes are perfectly wired to be in the world, but not of it, as we routinely demonstrate an ability to cycle without exhibiting any outward signal that we are, in fact, cyclists. Evidence: wheels.
Industry

Chamois cream: the best thing you’re not using

 Friction is your friend, if you're going around a tight corner on your bicycle and staying upright is your aim. But down there in your cycling shorts, friction is your enemy. What you need is a weapon worthy of the fight. We're here to equip you.
Industry

Valdora—lay your body down

 Some aerobars, functional is about the best you can say about them. This one, there's an urgency to (as Pretty Willie sings it) lay your body down. (Does Slowtwitch know hip-hop too?)
Swimming

Trouble in the open water

 The sport of triathlon has lost eight of its competitors during races in the United States so far in 2008. The good news: so far our roads have been safe. The bad news: so far the water has been less so. What mitigates risk factors during the swim leg of a triathlon?
Industry

The correct length of your chain

 Do you know how to determine your bike's correct chain length? Do you know why it's important? It has to do with course topography, and choosing the right freewheel for your race. You don't have multiple freewheels? Baby, we need to talk.
Industry

Preferred build: Kuota’s new Kueen K

 Last month we debuted a new feature, called the Preferred Build. The idea is to gruppo-up some popular and interesting bikes the way we'd like to see them built. July's preferred build subject is Kuota's Kueen K.
Industry

Positional problems

 “Why am I uncomfortable on my bike?” Do you have occasion to ask this? We endeavor to find the answer in our series on the subject. Our first installment focused on contact points. This is the second and final installment.
Industry

Are we ready to “Get Shorty?”

 Last year I wrote a series of articles about the most underserved segment of the handlebar market. I described the state of the shorty bar, offered some opinions, and reported on the best current product. Here's an updated version of that article.