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First Tri Booked - Gear Advice
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Hi everyone.
Ive had a quick look through the treads but couldn't find what i was looking for.
I have been wanting to do a Tri for a few years and was planning to do one next year but ive took the plunge and booked a place on the Warwickshire sprint on 28th Sept.
Im a fairly fit guy so i know i can do the running and bike but im rubbish at swimming but have booked swimming lessons to get through this, the tri is in a pool so ill be fine with that.
What i was not expecting is the mine field involved in picking your kit!!!!
I brought my first road bike ever the other week, a Scott Speedster 60 compact. I have already fallen in love with it and know a new obsession could start. I have read all about the pedals and cleats etc and all the embarrassing stories of falling over...which is already playing on my mind. I read somewhere not to buy an expensive bike for the first one just in case. I made the mistake of going to the local "cyclo monster" bike shop who told me for an extra £150 i could have had a Focus bike that was better.....where does it end. I went into TFN in beeston yesterday, wish i hadn't, the kit and the prices...wow!!
I know i need some proper shoes but do i get road shoes or Tri shoes...does it make a difference. I know the Tri shoes aid in transition but the road ones look more stable
Do i need a Tri suit for my first one and is picking one up on ebay for less than £50 a better idea than a really expensive one. Again does it make a difference.
I hope to be joining Derby Tri Club in the next week or so which will no doubt benefit me. Im half way through Andy Holgates book which has been a real help, especially the bit when he turned up at an event early and looked at all the expensive bikes. Like his friend said "do they make you pedal any faster?" which i thought was just the perfect quote. I know he is or used to be on here, so thanks to him for the inspiration.
I realise there are people out there that have "all the gear, no idea" i dont want to be like that. I just dont want this to cost the earth. I have half an eye on a Half Iron man next year in Stafford, the cost of this pre registration is also going to be a factor in the overall cost.
My heads spinning already just typing this thread. I bit of advice please.
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Comments
Don't worry too much about the bike - unless you've gone out and spent ??12k on your first one I'm sure you'll be just fine. Pedals wise, you'll probably fall but you'll almost definitely be fine after so don't dwell on it. Try holding yourself up in a doorway to practise clipping in/out (assuming you've not got a turbo at this stage). Likewise with shoes, the difference is mainly speed of getting them on/off, support and comfort for cycling without socks. If you're getting just one pair at this stage you might want to think about getting tri shoes but if you're likely to use them for lots of commuting, say, you might be better with a road set for that.
Good luck, enjoy.
One thing thats just popped into my head....running without socks!!
Is it worth practicing ??
Nope, but remember to coat the insides of your shoes with talc first and a smear of vaseline on the heel top.
I'd disagree with Dusty - running and biking without socks is much easier and quicker. but practice first as you need to ensure that your bike and running shoes are suitable for doing so and you avoid any rubbing. many specialist tri shoes are designed to be used without socks so have what are known as "sock liners" which don't cause rubbing, but also many standard ones will work just as well - you just need to find out.
as a tri ref, I see far too many people wasting times in transition with socks, and tying laces - get elastic laces. and these can often be people who are quick and could place better if they had better T times.
my tri shoes are like slippers so never need socks, my run shoes are Hokas are fine without.
You are going to need a pair of road shoes for your bike anyway - so just make do with them for your first event. Your kit will evolve as you get more experience and discover what works for you.
And as Fat budha says - get elastic laces on your running shoes, they are a no brainer.
On the subject of Trisuits.. My club tri suit is a bargain as the local bike shop advertise on it, So we get the at a discount, Might be worth looking at what Derby Tri charge for club kit ?
Hi PipRam,
Are you planning on doing Derby Sprint in September?
If so, see you there!
Oh, and also, I disagree with oal4n.... i've got a pair of tri shoes and use them for everything... I haven't bothered getting a pair of bike specific ones.... and haven't suffered as a consequence either.
If you haven't got a pair of bike specific shoes,how do you know you haven't suffered as a consequence?
because i've had bike specific shoes in the past!
I'd even go so far as to say you don't need clip on bike shoes for your first triathlon at all, especially a sprint. Just focus on getting used to cycling in the first instance then upgrade later once you've picked up what is/isn't worth it from your new friends at the tri club.
As above I wouldn't spend to much for your first tri you never know you might do that one and deside you can't stand doing them. You might find this link handy. If you start looking at the best kit that way madness lies because your going to spend more cash on it straight away than you did on your last house/car ect.. Your also going to find as this thread show's already that if you ask 10 different tri types whats best your going to get 10 different answer's. As above see what works for you.
Warwickshire is a good one to start out at and very beginner friendly it's a different course this year because of the normal pool being closed for building works but if it's half as good as the old course you won't have any problems and probably see you there
. One thing would say through is don't worry to much about failing over if you get some cleat's everyone does it at first and all that.
what do you mean "at first" Cake?
I still do it after several years!
Not been on in a while...thanks so much for all the reply's
@Magna Carter - Didn't know that there was one in Derby then or i would have entered that one!!! If there are spaces left closer to the date then i may just do it but paying out again for another Tri while im getting my kit sorted might be an issue.
@Steve Taylor 1969 - Nice to know there's another newbie there. May bump into you at some point then
Ive ordered a tri suit only due to the fact i will make sure this isnt my last as i have one eye on doing the Coeur d'alene Ironman in 2015.
The shoes are proving to be a sticky point as the local shops and online searches are becoming frustrating. Im going to be a size 12.5 or 13 and at the moment its like trying to buy Rocking Horse ****. I dont want to go mad on my first pair and although i dont want to skim on quality i also want a bargin too.
Im keen to get clip in shoes as ive been about the extra power you get from the upwards movement too?
Also how bleedin hard is it to book 1-1 adult swimming lessons. Ive contacted 4 local swimming pools all with waiting lists!!! I am a member of Virgin and have inquired there. Although expensive at £25 a half hour lesson im going to have to have them there, well only 4 due to the cost.
Thanks again.....oh and @cake im a guy not a gal
Pip Derby tri club might have a swim coach you can use worth checking out. Warwickshire uni has a small tri club and there swim coach is brilliant he's helped a few people out in the past afraid I can't remember his name off hand. I'll ask the missus as she will probably have his e-mail handy.
Pip she didn't have the e-mail handy but remembered more than me blokes called mark and he's with warwick tri club based at warwick uni campus just outside coventry if you struggle worth getting in touch. Like I said he has helped a few people and a very nice lad.
Derby Tri Club do have a swim coach from what I've seen but it's been hard getting in touch with them to sort things out, think the usual person who answers the emails is away atm.