As the clock ticks down to the final days and hours of 2004 what would characterize as the primary technological innovations relevant to our sport that became popular in 2004?
Tops on my list would be: Garmin personal training GPS units and motionbased.com. Compact cranks. Visiontech bars. Other things.
since I only own one of those things (and even then it is only in theory), I’ll go with the POwercranks as my personal vote. The VTs in carbon would be soooo sweet though.
Zipp 420 Rim. Used on the 606 and the 808 wheelsets. 81mm deep and extremely light.
That’s a good one.
HED rear disc
I think I’d like to get a canoe for family jaunts to the north woods. Hmmmm…maybe it should be a kevlar racing canoe. I’ll bet I could use that for adventure racing. The trick is to justify to my wife why the kevlar is more durable, easier to use, non-toxic to the kids…
Wish me luck!
Rocketboy
Are they realy “innovations”?
Does a gps offer anything that a map or chart can offer? If you measure your run or ride plan out using std mapping are you any worse off or possibly even more acurate?
Compact cranks, what they offer is it any different to what was available for mtb’s in 1993-4 when both Shimano and Campy offered compact drive setups that would easily work on a roadie.
Visiontech bars… cant really comments but are they really any better than past setups or just integrated and maybe lighter?
Are there any ‘real’ innovations in 2004?
Three words: “The Hottie Thread”
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Why is the 808 an innovation? I’m guessing that it’s still slower than an old matte black Specialized tri-spoke.
Are doping tests classified as technology? They became pretty popular in 2004…
Three words: “The Hottie Thread”
Yep!
How about the Arione? or is that pre 2004? Thats the best new piece of equipment I bought this year.
Gatorade Endurance Formula! > been very good to me!
Accelerade Gels!
www.slowtwitch.com the number one technical thing that has helped me, that and the new bike was good too.
Perpetupaste…a combination of Perpetuem, Orange hammergel, and just a little water. Six flasks of this homemade recipe got me through my first IM with no GI issues. I actually crave the stuff when I’m hungry.
“Does a GPS offer anything a map doesn’t?”
One word: JDAM.
Hmm not being one to love acronyms I google’d JDAM…
Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM)
The Joint Direct Attack Munition — or JDAM — is a low-cost guidance kit that converts
existing unguided free-fall bombs into accurately guided "smart …
I am not sure how this technology is a benefit to tri’s?
I also get the feeling my posts, emails and home are now being monitored.
Well, not much benefit to tri’s.
i’ll vote for the compacts. now if only a shimano compatible front derauilleur would come out - that would be a nice contender for '05
Tom here is my list:
new uci aero/TT helmets (Uvex, Bell, Giro, LG, Limar, ect.)
compact cranks
Renn 5-7-5 disc at $400
Visiontech brake levers
Scott CR-1 road frame/bike
.
Are they realy “innovations”? <<
Well, yes. GPS is absolutely an innovation. As far as what it offers that a map or chart can’t, let’s see: 1) pace info on the fly(as opposed to an average when you’re done) and 2) a way to know your distance w/o sitting down with a map and a chart (or worse, trying to figure it out on the run). As a busy professional single mom, I could probably use the stars and a sextant to figure out my route…but gps makes life a LOT easier. I love it b/c I can go explore w/o a map…freedom.
Compact cranks give weekend warriors (who would not think to put mtb components on a road bike…even if they hadn’t figured out how much heavier it would be) the ability to get up hills and not be called nasty names by mean people like me for having a triple.
I can’t speak to the Visiontech bars but, please, lighter is always better…
I don’t think innovation has to mean “solve a problem that hasn’t been solved before” but can be “solve the old problem in a new way that provides an additional benefit”
If you are prone to getting lost or worrying about when you will get there, there is nothing that will reduce your pre race stress more than having a GPS in your car 
Once you drive with a GPS, you will never want to be without one again.
As for being an “innovation”, GPS may or may not be important to tris but it will go down as one of the top 10 innovations of the 20th century. It’s exploitation is only just beginning.
New (to me) 2004 “innovation” I use on my TT bike.
Flat MTB bars Dremeled down as HED extensions, I tell ya, this rocks!!
A 10 year old front aero brake
Hockey tape (decreases diameter of extensions)
Internally cabled powermeters (Polar for racing/Powertap for training/ RPE for pacing)
A “heavy” 250gm saddle that works.
A round seatpost “ooooh that’s bad!” that is bombproof.
New to be added, a 11-21 DA 9sp cassette because I ran out of gears with my 12T cog.