[desertpilot]

Originally posted by Oahu_Dave
...SNIP...
I gotta get out and see them tho. Like I said been way too long since I rode and Im basically starting from scratch knowledgewise. There are SO many models Im sort of lost in the confusion.

I was mostly into cross-country mountain bikes in the mid to late 90s. I built a Cannondale cross-country racing bike with top of the line racing, titanium and the most lightweight components I could get. It weighed 21 lbs. when it was done. It was light and fast at that time.

Most of the improvements (IMO) in the last few years was the materials are lighter and stronger. Aluminum alloys now are stronger than the standard aircraft aluminum materials they used in the past. Carbon fiber manufacturing process are more mature, they started back in the mid 90s. Drive-lines now are 10 speed, it used to be 8 or 9 speed. Shimano Dura-Ace is still a great brand most racers use.

I used to live there in the South bay area of L.A. for 20 yrs. and usually get my parts from Supergo bike shops at either their Santa Monica or Fountain Valley store. I think they have a new store in Laguna Hills. For Cannondale stuff, I get them from Helen's cycle, they have stores all over the L.A. area. I usually mail order hard to find parts and components. I was also using a pro bike shop which have mechanics that also race. Even though I built my own bike, the pro bike shop fine tunes it further.

I would suggest you contact the group that you want to join and find out what are the equipment (let's say the top 10 racers) they're using. If they're using carbon fiber bikes, then maybe that's the way to go. I'm sure they're mostly using Dura-Ace and if you got a bike without it, you could always upgrade the derailleurs and shifters. A good quality bike repair stand is really useful even for adjustments, tuning and maintainance.

Most guys are saying that the transition is the most important thing in duathalon. After you sort out your bikes configuration, your transition I think would be the toughest thing to plan and perform.

Keep us posted.


http://www.supergo.com/stores/