"Originally I was afraid of a wool jersey, but now I don't think I can ever go back to lycra!"

"Right before the start of the crit, the xXx rider next to me said 'I love your kits. I just don't think I can afford them.'"

"Who knew knickers in the summer could be so comfortable?"

"I hate you guys. My team's jerseys look like they were designed in MacPaint, and yours look like they belong in a fashion magazine."

For 2009, Team TATI Triathletes will race in custom SPIUK Non-Friction Evolution II suits.

The more fashionable and better coordinated Tatitos are donning perfectly coordinated white-on-orange Ventix sunglasses.

In a world of low spoke count, prebuilt wheels, Team TATI believes in the old fashioned value of a perfectly designed pair of handmade hoops. The best wheels are those that balance light weight with durability, with the rider's size, weight, and riding style taken into consideration.

Velocity offers a wide range of clincher and tubular rims in many spoke counts and aero profiles. This allows TATI riders to build the ideal set of wheels for all riding conditions. We especially like the Aerohead, Aerohead OC, and Deep V designs in titanium, white, and orange. Naturally.

Hailing from Finland and originating in 1916, Karhu has over the years manufactured all varieties of outdoor, telemark, and running gear. Karhu shoes have been worn by Finnish greats Paavo Nurmi and Boston Marathon champion Olavi Suomalainen.

Karhu's contemporary running lineup is composed of four models, ranging from a light racing flat to performance stability trainer. Team TATI will use Karhu trainers for podium wear, triathlon training, and early season cyclocross preparedness.

Schwalbe is the only premium tire manufacturer that produces products that do exactly what you expect what they are supposed to do. Rather than advertise racing slicks as do-it-all wunder tires, or hardpack cx rubber for their sandpit capabilities, each Schwalbe tire is designed to perform the best for a narrow range of conditions. Using Schwalbes therefore requires a bit more knowledge than your typical racer possesses.

For a short time in 2008, tiny TATI was the number one American retailer by volume of Schwalbe's Ultremo clincher. Then the rest of the country caught on, and Ultremos were rationed for the remainder of the year.

The Ultremo is simply the fastest cornering clincher on the market. It has better puncture protection than its ultralight competitors, and is among the top three overall in rolling resistance. And best of all, every Ultremo I have ever placed on the gram scale has come in below the advertised weight of 195g.

Team TATI riders use a mix of Ultremos and Stelvios for racing, and the Stelvio Plus, Stelvio, and Blizzard for training. I think the Blizzard is the hidden gem in the Schwalbe line, and will become a hot tire for 2009. For cyclocross, team riders will use a combination of the Racing Ralph and CX Pro tires, depending on race conditions and the rider's size.

This really wasn't a difficult decision. We don't do wind trainers, and neither does Kreitler. We only use the best, and Kreitler only offers the best. Convincing Kreitler to sponsor TATI wasn't too hard:

"Hi. We'd like to be sponsored by Kreitler."

"Well... so does every other team."

"I don't allow my riders to use wind trainers. Only rollers."

"Go on..."

"Although a novice team, we focus on proper form and handling skills over brute strength. I'd like every member to be able to ride on narrow rollers like the Hot Dog."

"Wow. That actually sounds great."

"And our offical team color is RAL 2011, exactly the same as yours."

"Well, it sounds like a no brainer."

"Yup."

Team framesets are available in steel, titanium, and carbon fiber. Each frame is tailor made and handbuilt to the specifications and riding style of the intended rider.

As a team that focuses on form and perfect fit, and with members of all shapes and sizes, it is crucial to be able to offer affordable custom built bicycles.

Road frames are available in steel, titanium, and carbon fiber.

Track frames are available in steel, titanium, and carbon fiber.

TT/Triathlon frames are available in titanium and carbon fiber.

Cyclocross frames are available in steel and titanium.

MTB frames are available in steel and titanium.

Full custom geometry is available on all steel and titanium models. Steel frames typically come in around 1.7kg. The average titanium frame weight it 1.4kg. Carbon fiber frames start at an absurd 850g.