The Ultimate Triathlon Gear Guide Part 1 - The Bike
Are you unsure where to start when choosing equipment for triathlon? You are not alone. The choices for triathlon gear are endless, making it extremely challenging for beginner and intermediate triathletes.
In this 3 part series, we will provide you with a handbook to get started with triathlon gear, so you can feel more confident when making your next purchase.
Although the bike leg is second in a triathlon, it requires the most equipment. As such, it forms Part 1 of our Ultimate Triathlon Gear Guide. Simply put, bike equipment matters. Emptying the savings account is not necessary. But with some but with some smart equipment choices, you can give yourself a more enjoyable and efficient riding experience.
This blog is a long one, but hopefully it covers your questions you may have when choosing bike equipment!
Road Bike vs. Time Trial Bike
For beginner and intermediate triathletes, the most common question is; should I buy a road bike or a TT bike? The answer largely depends on your triathlon goals. If your primary goal is finish a particular event, then a road bike (with some clip on tri bars) will do the trick. However, if you are looking to achieve a particular time goal or qualify for an event, then a TT bike is your best bet. Keep in mind that your goals may change over time. Triathlons are addictive, and while you may start out with no competitive aspirations, these can change very quickly. In a perfect world, we’d all have a road bike and a TT bike to choose from, right?
So what’s the advantage of a TT bike over a road bike? Simply, the geometry of a TT bike allows for a more aerodynamic riding position, allowing you to ride faster. However, improved aerodynamics can reduce riding comfort, which is not ideal when you are spending many hours on the bike. If you do purchase a TT bike, a professional bike fit is recommended to ensure you have a comfortable and efficient riding position. If you purchase a road bike, you can insert some clip-on tri bars onto the current handle bars, enabling you to achieve a modified aerodynamic position. A final point on TT vs. road bikes is that when riding in groups, some groups prefer you don’t use a TT bike, due to the brakes and gears being in separate locations, and the potential safety risk of this. If you primarily ride socially in groups, and complete the occasional triathlon, then a road bike is going to serve you better.
Depending on your budget, you may wish to purchase a bike brand new from a bike shop or second hand. If looking for second hand options, Triathlon Marketplace and Bicycle Marketplace on Facebook are great for buying and selling bikes. Personally, if buying off Marketplace, I look for sales close to home so that I can physically inspect the bike prior to purchase. Having a thorough understanding of the different brands and components is essential with buying a bike. So if you are lacking in this area, take a knowledgeable friend with you so you to help you decide. Buying a bike is not unlike buying a car; how many owners? How much use? Any accidents? Any structural or cosmetic damage? Recent services? Recent services is a key question for me. The last thing you want to be doing is forking out for a new chain, cables and cassette shortly after buying what you thought was a great value bike.
Wheels
Wheels are arguably more important that the frame of the bike itself when it comes to aerodynamics and speed. You’ve probably seen triathletes riding around on disc wheels (a big dish with no spokes), and a mix of other wheels of varying rim depths. Which is right for you?
Well as with your bike choice, it depends on your performance goals. If you are primarily looking to participate and finish goal events, then a set of alloy wheels will be perfect for both training and the event itself. However, if you have competitive aspirations, then investing in a set of carbon race wheels is worthwhile.
Carbon wheels with a depth of 30-50mm are generally a good lightweight choice, giving you the aerodynamic benefits without being too hard to handle in the wind (the deeper the wheel, the more you will feel the effects on the wind, especially when coming from the side).
There are a multitude of race wheels you can choose from. If you purchase a new bike from a bike shop, often they will come with a stock set of carbon wheels. In most cases, these are perfect. Some bike sales on Triathlon Marketplace and Bicycle Marketplace on Facebook will include carbon wheels. If you choose to invest in some carbon race wheels, I’d recommend buying a cheap set of aluminum wheels for training, and saving your carbon rims for racing only. You can get some good deals on aluminum wheels from a site such as Wiggle.
The final consideration when purchasing wheels is whether they fit ‘tubular’ or ‘clincher’ tyres. For the beginner and intermediate triathlete, I’d recommend staying clear of tubular tyres. Tubular tyres are glued onto the rim. Whilst they are often more puncture resistant, fitting them is labour intensive, and fixing a flat tyre on the go is a challenge! Clincher tyres hook onto the rim and have an inner tube inside. Clincher tyre technology is continually progressing, and they are becoming more puncture resistant. Changing a flat with clinchers is straightforward, and with a bit of practice, you’ll be a master.
There are a multitude of brands to choose from when purchasing tyres. My personal preference is Continental. I’ve been using them for years with no issues. Continental have a wide range from training tyres with great puncture resistance, through to performance/racing tyres. Check out the Gatorskin for training, and the GP 5000 for racing (can be purchased from local bike shops or online). A final note on tyres to consider is the width. Most tyres will have the option of 23mm, 25mm or 28mm widths. Keep it simple and stick to 25mm; these will give you a comfortable and fast ride with plenty of grip.
Helmet
The performance benefits of a helmet are often underestimated. Aerodynamic helmets can save up to a minute per hour of riding. Who doesn’t want free speed?
At any triathlon event, you’ll see a range of helmets ranging from the standard type, through to helmets that look as though they are made for space exploration.
"Aero road helmets" are a great choice for triathletes. Combing the traditional helmet style with technology to enhance aerodynamics, they offer a versatile choice that can be used for training and racing. Most brands now offer an aero road helmet choice. See the Scott Cadence Aero Road Helmet. and The Trek Bontrager Ballista Helmet as some good examples.
Cycling Shoes
Whilst it does take some practice to get the hang of using clipless pedals and shoes, they significantly enhance your riding experience. They enable a better transfer of power from your leg to the bike, resulting in faster and more enjoyable riding.
When purchasing cycling shoes, the cleat on the bottom of shoe, must match with the type of pedal you use. Common brands include Shimano, Look, Time and Speedplay.
For triathletes, purchasing a shoe that you could quickly and easily take off is key! Shoes with velco straps is ideal for this. Whether you are taking your feet out the shoes whilst on the bike or stopping to take them off, minimizing time in transition is key. Additionally, cycling shoes that have plenty of breathing for your foot is ideal, as coming from the swim to the bike, your feet will be wet.
I have found Pushys to be a great site for the online sale of shoes (provided you know your size). They often have great discounts. However, popping into a local bike shop is recommended to get the right fit, and make sure your cleats match with your pedals.
In Part 2, we will be covering running gear and equipment, including heart rate monitors and GPS watches. Stay tuned!
