We noticed forum member Dave Toshio because of a thread he started about his DIY Shimano Ultegra Di-2 TT setup and he is this week's random age grouper. But there is a lot more to know about this man.

Slowtwitch: Dave, thank you so much for your time.

Dave: Thank you for this opportunity!

ST: Were you at all surprised about the very positive response to your DIY thread in the forum?

Dave: Not at all. Ever since DA Di-2 came out, a lot people have been lusting over electronic shifting. Ultegra Di-2 premiered at less than half the cost of DA so suddenly electronic shifting became affordable to more people. Unfortunately for us, Shimano has yet to release its TT version of Ultegra Di-2. There has been a lot of work here and on other boards trying to hack its system. My method is not the “magic bullet” most people are seeking but it is an easy work around that will enable us to use the Ultegra Di-2 system in TT applications.

ST: We think the official Ultegra Di-2 TT shifter should be available in September, but I guess triathletes more than others love instant gratification.

Dave: A lot of the people (including me) don’t want to wait for Shimano to release the TT version and want the benefit of electronic shifting for training and racing this season. Shimano’s TT shifters could always be added on later but I find customizing the Di-2 system to have the shift buttons located exactly where you want them a huge advantage of DIY Di-2.

ST: Have you always been a DIY guy?

Dave: The army doesn't pay well so making my own stuff if possible was always my first option. Starting off with simple things like small carbon fiber brackets for water bottles, then the aerobar water bottle mounts and rear bottle mounts. Modifying the Ultegra Di-2 for TT was easily the most expensive and risky project I took on. From just looking at the schematics of the Di-2 system, I wasn't sure the electronics could be separated and modified. I made a $1000 gamble and it ended up paying off.

ST: Not everyone who lacks the money is just able to make his or her own stuff, so you must have skill and not just the will, and a bit of passion of course.

Dave: Haha, I have a closet full of failed projects. I can say that I had the will and passion at first, but the skill portion is still something I’m working on. Every project is better than the last so I can at least say I’m moving in the right direction!

ST: Can you explain your army job?

Dave: Out of school back in 2005 I joined the Army working in Intelligence. Within a year I found myself in Afghanistan. It was there that my interest in biking really took off; there wasn't much else to do during free time. After my unit came back from deployment, I found out I had cancer due to radiation exposure. In the army, if you are injured or have a disease such as cancer, you are put into a warrior transition unit (WTU) where your main mission becomes to get well. I came off active duty last year but I am still a reservist.

ST: What is the status of the cancer, and how are you?

Dave: My last treatment I had was last year. Hopefully it will be the last. So far, there have been no complications and I seem to be healing well. Triathlon has been a huge motivator for me to stay active, healthy, and positive despite being set back by cancer.

ST: Could you explain what you are doing now?

Dave: School is now my main mission with working as a behavioral Interventionist (teaching autistic children) as my day job. It is a very rewarding job and always amazing to see the progress that can be made with these kids.

ST: So what are your goals after school?

Dave: I am not sure what will come next. I am a biology major and have always had the dream of going into the medical field. I really enjoy the job I have now so doing something that links the two is probably the path I’ll follow. First step is to finish school!

ST: And how did you stumble on triathlon?

Dave: Every year, Fort Lewis has a race called Triple Threat Triathlon. A couple other injured guys and I decided to take on the race as a relay team to prove to ourselves that we still had what it takes. We didn't place but we finished. And at that time it seemed like a big accomplishment. That was my first taste of triathlon and I have been addicted ever since.

ST: So what year did you guys do that relay and did the others also continue with triathlon?

Dave: That was the summer of 2009, also the first year I discovered Slowtwitch! It was the first and last tri we did as a team but both continue competing in triathlons for their units to this day.

ST: Are you satisfied in terms of how your races went in 2011?

Dave: As far as races go, my seasons have been pretty light. My main focus last year was to just have fun and compete in a few local sprints. I was able to pull off a couple age group wins but I definitely plan on ramping up the training for this year.

ST: Looks like you have your first Half Ironman on your calendar for this year. Is the Half distance the goal or the steppingstone to a full Ironman?

Dave: I would like to finish a full Ironman someday so I guess you could say it’s a stepping stone. Right now, to me, just finishing a half would be an amazing feat. The half and full distances are something I’ve been looking forward to experiencing ever since my first tri.

ST: Why Lake Stevens?

Dave: Lake Stevens is relatively close to home so I figure it’s a good choice as a first half. With work, school, and Army, choosing races close by becomes a priority.

ST: So do you have a favorite bike shop?

Dave: Yes, I really like Speedy Reedy. They are quite a drive but are one of the best multisport shops in Seattle. Everyone that works there has always been helpful even when I was a newbie asking a lot of questions. They even pulled apart a P3 they had on the shop floor to sell me the frameset.

ST: And how many bikes do you own?

Dave: I only have one. My first tt bike was a Softride Rocket that I bought off of Craig’s List. Then, after getting addicted to ST, I was convinced I needed a carbon frame. The rocket was sold and replaced by a PX stealth. Unfortunately for it, I always feel the need to upgrade so it was also soon replaced by a P3. I was totally satisfied with my P3….until I saw the P5!

ST: Have folks already reached out to you to help them with their Ultegra Di-2 TT setup?

Dave: Yes, there have been quite a few interests in the modification of the shifters and the wiring. A lot of it depends on the set up its being applied to but I am more than willing to help anyone if I can. Others, like me, are just tinkerers looking for a project.

ST: Any other projects we can expect from you in the near future?

Dave: I am always scouring the forums looking for things people say can’t be done or built. When I do find something and finish it, ST will be the first to know…(I don’t post anywhere else).

ST: That sounds great and thanks again for your time.

Dave: Thank you very much!


Below is a pic of the DIY Ultegra Di-2 shifters Dave Toshio made