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Articles by Slowman

Transition Expert (2011)

This is the sweet spot in the Specialized Transition line-up. Were I a dealer selling Specialized, I've had ordered pallet after pallet of this model. If a Transition is in your future, get it soon, while the getting's good.

Who is a Slowtwitcher?

Here are selected results of a year's worth of Slowtwitch polling of our readers, on lifestyle, equipment preferences, race distance preferences, athletic strengths and weaknesses, and more.

Evil stems and spacers

The defining fit characteristics of bikes are no longer solely contained in the frame. Or even the aerobars. Today's superbikes focus on the sins of the stem and anything round sitting above the frame.

Bikes as fit constructs

Bicycles are constructs of assemblies. Of course you know this already! But I'm talking strictly about how bikes fit. The notion that a frame alone determines fit is entirely wrong.

Quintana Roo CD0.1 (2011)

The CD0.1 has a unique narrative. Clever, really. An asymmetric down tube that moves air from the drive side of the bike to the left side, with a smartly-spec'd midrange kit at $3300 for a complete bike.

Toyota Cup Series expands

The Race to the Toyota Cup has expanded from six events to seven for the 2011 season. Gone is NYC, added is Nautica Miami and CapTex in Austin, expanding the Toyota Cup Season by 2 months.

Kestrel 4000 Ult (2011)

If a Cervelo P3 and a Kestrel Airfoil Pro mated and had a baby, it would be the 4000. It is, stylistically, a fair representation of the heritage of high style that has distinguished the Kestrel brand.

Felt B2 (2011)

Felt correctly understands a trend and a truth the rest of the bike industry is slower to grasp: The more the price of a complete tri bike exceeds $5000, the more Di2 elbows its way to the forefront of the discussion.

Blue Triad EX (2011)

This was essentially Andreas Raelert's bike for the 09 Ironman. Except for the aerobar and stem, this version of the EX has the best parts spec of any tri bike made by any company for 2011. And the aerobar is okay too.

Bracht hangs tough, Wellington dominates in AZ

Timo Bracht weathered the specter of two speedsters in a heated footrace and held on to win the 2010 Ford Ironman Arizona. Chrissie Wellington put on a dominant performance to win the women's title in 8:36:13 and finished 8th overall.

Cervelo P3 Ultegra (2011)

Cervelo is to tri what Colnago is to road: a storied headbadge with a tradition and a caché unmatched by any bike brand. But the cycling world is catching up, or has caught up. How does the P3 fare in 2011?

WTC incepts, rescinds Access program

World Triathlon Corporation announced and canceled its Access program within a day. The $1000 program allowed Ironman devotees to move to the front of the registration line.