Trying to get into the sport...what would you suggest are the 10 best items (brands) a Triathlete should have...other than a Cervelo P3. Looking all across the board small or big items. Thanks for the help.

There's a great podcast out there called the TriTalk podcast. At their website you can find the notes from previous shows and other fun stuff. One of the features there is a Top 20. There is a lot of equipment and training tools that are rated in terms of estimated time saved over a Tri (probably an Olympic). Check it out at www.tri-talk.com/top20.asp

Trying to get into the sport...what would you suggest are the 10 best items (brands) a Triathlete should have...other than a Cervelo P3. Looking all across the board small or big items. Thanks for the help.


1. Transition Bag- get a good one
2. Good Tri/TT bike, not top of the line, but good, aero helmet if you can get one
3. GOOD running shoes with speed laces
4. Good fitting anti-fog goggles
5. HRM
6. Breathable running clothing/Tri tops and shorts
7. TWO wheelsets, one for training, and then some LIGHT very aero ones for racing.
8. Tri road bike shoes (ONE big velcro strap)
9. Wetsuit
10. Water bottle belt for running (made running IMMENSELY more enjoyable for me)

Optional...

Water bottle for TT bars
multiple swim caps
couple of thigh length speedos for training
power meter
GOOD sunglasses...
etc.etc.etc..

there's probably a lot more, but that's what I can think of at this moment...

That all sounds good. Is there anyone that makes a tri bag with a tarp or pad that comes out so you have something to stand on or remove wetsuit on during race or training? I've been told use a towel and that is probably cheapest but one more thing I have to remember on race day.

Any brands you would suggest staying away from and ones that you would recommend? Shoes, wetsuit, wheels, tri top ect...

A TTX is actually a great bike too and there are wind tunnel tests that, with all componentry remaining the same, place the Cervelo in second place to Trek's TTX as the bike with the least drag.

Just saying.
Perhaps some clip on aerobars could do the trick if you don't have a TT bike for the moment. An aero helmet would helpif the cost is not a problem for you. Also, some Tri bike shoes perhaps as they're easier to wear and are more breatheable.

Assuming you have a bike that fits you properly, get some aero bars for the bike, single velcro strap cycling shoes, and elastic laces for your running shoes, and put in decent training time. After that you're in diminishing returns and marketing hype territory.

Triathletes are famous for spending money on aledged speed improving technology/gadgets as a substitute for training time. This is especially the case for the bike. Every new tri-bike frame/component/gadget that has come out over the last 20 years has claimed another 10-20 second time saving per 40kms - if the marketing claims and scientific tests were real, you'd think triathletes would be doing the 40km in a negative 55 minutes by now. The reality is that my 40km and 112mile bike splits from 20 years ago would still be every bit as competitive today - despite lacking the technology advances or drafting in 40km races that has transpired since then.

1. Transition Bag- get a good one
2. Good Tri/TT bike, not top of the line, but good, aero helmet if you can get one
3. GOOD running shoes with speed laces
4. Good fitting anti-fog goggles
5. HRM
6. Breathable running clothing/Tri tops and shorts
7. TWO wheelsets, one for training, and then some LIGHT very aero ones for racing.
8. Tri road bike shoes (ONE big velcro strap)
9. Wetsuit
10. Water bottle belt for running (made running IMMENSELY more enjoyable for me)

Optional...

Water bottle for TT bars
multiple swim caps
couple of thigh length speedos for training
power meter
GOOD sunglasses...
etc.etc.etc..

there's probably a lot more, but that's what I can think of at this moment...

Something to cover the melon & Sunscreen...its some warm days down here in the south.

Nix the swim caps...most of the races I know give them away to color coordinate swimming heats.

Also, some Tri bike shoes perhaps as they're easier to wear and are more breatheable.


The single strap makes transition MUCH easier, especially if you leave your shoes clipped to the bike and don't actually put your foot in them for a few hundred feet....:thumbsup:

The single strap makes transition MUCH easier, especially if you leave your shoes clipped to the bike and don't actually put your foot in them for a few hundred feet....:thumbsup:

But I don't really like how they look though. But then again, I don't do tris. :p

For me doing my first few Tri's was some water and a basin to wash my feet off in the transition area running up from the beach. Some small "shop" towels to dry feet, hands and face "get the salt off". I sweat like a pig so a sweat band for my head. Sunscreen is a must. The rest has pretty much been covered. Oh, one last thing, if they have a prerace meeting for noob's I recommend going. In my experience they usually will have someone with a lot of experience giving advice. Calmed my nerves before my first race.

For your first tri, the most important thing is to be properly trained. Its not the same thing as a bike race, or a swim competition, or a marathon. Your body will react differently.

That said, the type of triathlon will dictate how much you spend. If you're going sprint, a simple road bike will do you well. If you are going longer, then the position of a tri specific bike could be better for you. The sprints I have done have featured courses in which a tri bike would be more difficult to ride, so I opted for my road bike.

You should have a towel to place everything on in the transition area so that your "area" is mapped out. It helps with cleaning yourself off and keeping sand out of your shoes. It is also good to have a second pair of sunglasses if you are like me and sweat profusely. Rather than constantly clean them, I just switch them out. Hats and headbands are also good.

I have to second Hankey's statements. I have passed people doing sprints and olympics riding bikes that cost 8 times what mine did, but my level of performance passed them. The best thing about triathlons: the people. They are becoming more and more popular, and I have never met someone I did not like.

The number one thing to have: fun!