| Interested in participating in a Triathlon? Not sure | | | | advantage of speed and lighter weight over a |
| where to start with choosing the right equipment? | | | | mountain bike or hybrid bicycle. With the use of a |
| Well keep reading! First you must ask yourself how | | | | road bike, you can achieve better results on the bike |
| serious or competitive are you planning to be? This | | | | portion of the event without having to train any |
| will determine exactly just how much money you | | | | harder! If you want to get a little more involved and |
| should or should not spend. If you're planning to only | | | | serious about a triathlon event you can even |
| do one or two triathlons just for fun, no need to | | | | purchase a different seat post and an aero bar |
| break the bank and go overboard with the top of | | | | attachment for your road bike. This will put your |
| the line. However, if you're a die hard, ultra | | | | body in a more aerodynamic and efficient position on |
| competitive triathlete looking to qualify for a specific | | | | the bicycle and increase your speed, decrease your |
| event (ie Kona Ironman) or to beat last year's time | | | | time on the bike, and save your body energy. This is |
| you'll need to get serious with your purchases, | | | | a very, very common practice for a lot of athletes |
| especially the bike. Just like your triathlon training | | | | who complete in triathlons since they can convert |
| schedules will vary so will your equipment choices, | | | | their road bike that they use for training into an |
| every athlete is different. | | | | event specific machine without investing a lot of |
| There are three segments to a triathlon, swimming, | | | | money. For highly-competitive, longer events ( think |
| biking and running. | | | | Olympic distance and Ironman here) a triathlon |
| Swim gear:The most basic pieces of equipment are a | | | | specific bike that is lightweight, aerodynamic, and fit |
| bathing suit and a pair of watertight goggles. | | | | for your body is your best bet. A tri bike will have |
| However, an upgrade from the swim suit would be a | | | | aerodynamic tubing in the frame for cutting through |
| tri suit. A tri suit is basically designed with a padding | | | | the wind. It will also have a specific geometry, much |
| system in it to make for a much easier and more | | | | different than a road bike, that will put your body in |
| comfortable transition from swim to bike. If you plan | | | | a more aerodynamic position and it will also come |
| on participating in any triathlons in cooler climates you | | | | with aero bars already installed for handling and |
| may want to purchase a wetsuit as well. | | | | positioning. |
| Tri bikes: One of the most important pieces of | | | | Running shoes: Best advice I can give here is, do not |
| equipment for your triathlon has got to be the bike. | | | | skimp on this purchase! Your choice of running shoes |
| This will also be your most expensive purchase of | | | | can make the difference between having a good or |
| the three sports. Much like triathlon training schedules | | | | bad experience, running in comfort or pain, and, most |
| your bike should be tailored to fit your specific needs. | | | | importantly, whether you stay healthy or get injured. |
| Depending on what type and length of event you | | | | Be sure to know what foot type you are before |
| are doing, could determine what bike would be best | | | | making your purchase. Pronation, arch height and gait |
| for you. For most events you can easily use a regular | | | | type are all important factors when choosing the |
| road bike. A road bike will suit a shorter or more | | | | right shoe. Lastly, running shoes should be replaced |
| casual event much better since it will give you the | | | | around every 300 to 400 miles you put on them. |