I had a clunky alloy road bike but was reasonably fit when I bought my first tri bike...I remember on my fist ride I was shocked to average 21.5 mph. Previous rides at that intensity were around 19 mph. Of course, this was largely due to my position and much less to do with the aerodynamics of the bike itself, but it still amazed me. What hasn't amazed me is the marginal gains I have made since then, especially on a dollar/speed basis. I think that is where people get suckered!

I'm a young in, but I'd tris start to die, it's because short course is dying.

Not all people can train 20h a week to do ironmen. Many could do 5h, look at the counts for marathons.

Bucket list people may jump in and do a 140.6 and done, but the people who stick around start on the local sprints and keep coming back.

Those are the people we need to nurture to keep the sport growing. Some guys here doing new triathlete training classes for free. learn how to do transition and have some OWS practices. This is huge...

Totally agree about participants. Hardly anyone does Duathlon. They are so painful compared to Triathlons.

But as I said, look at the times, even from old guys, at Duathlon Nationals last year. Were just sick. I know when I go to Bend I am going to be killed, but it will be fun
anyways.

I'd say that paradoxically, this is precisely WHY duathlons aren't more popular; they're simply too pedestrian (literally and figuratively), and thus fail to capture the imagination to an approximate degree as incorporating another discipline that is more unlike the other 2.

I an going to put an opposite spin the bike and the swim are the main reason triathlons are popular.

Running has lots of options. There races every weekend

The cycling is a lot less intimidating compared to road, mtb and cyclocross racing. There are master swimming meets and some open water races but those limited in a lot of areas.

If you want to race and you main interest is swimming or cycling triathlon is the most accessible option.

I see we've circeld back around on Duathlons again.

Here's the short version on why duathlons aren't more popular: They're fucking lame. Yeah, I said it, though I know a few partisans will get butthurt and try to defend it. Sure, there are a few super fast dudes doing them, but only because they can't swim for shit or they'd rather be dominating bad-ass triathletes if they could.

For a less snarky version, here's what I said the first time someone asked why they weren't more popular, if you'll excuse the obnoxiousness of quoting myself from the same thread (but in my defense someone else asked the exact same question yet again later in the thread):



And here's another variation on essentially the same premise:



How many other posts have there been here saying people still bike & run and do biking or running events, and yet few or no duathlons? Add a swim and you have an 'Event'; without it, it's just biking & running, meh...

I was just thinking on my run (Yay, we made it to Memorial Day weekend!) that maybe Hokas will kill triathlon if they develop a shoe that greatly reduce overuse injuries. If I could fulfill my exercise needs solely by running, I'd likely consider dropping tris for the various reasons stated in this thread.

I bought a pair of early Hoka Mafates on special a year or so ago but they're so bulky I've only worn them a couple of times, so I haven't tested whether Hoka has developed such a shoe.

I love short course racing. Been doing for 20 years. I can race so many more races. I see my friends more often. And for me, TeamUSA is much for fun to chase than
IMH any day. :)

I think it has turned people away from the competitive side. People enjoy triathlons for the challenge of finishing it. The cycling scene, running scene and swim scene will always dominate the competitive side because it is much cheaper to get involved. I think for the sport to grow there needs to be more emphasis on longer distances, like stage races, similar to ultraman.

I think it has turned people away from the competitive side. People enjoy triathlons for the challenge of finishing it. The cycling scene, running scene and swim scene will always dominate the competitive side because it is much cheaper to get involved. I think for the sport to grow there needs to be more emphasis on longer distances, like stage races, similar to ultraman.

overuse? if anything most triathletes under train the run.

I was just thinking on my run (Yay, we made it to Memorial Day weekend!) that maybe Hokas will kill triathlon if they develop a shoe that greatly reduce overuse injuries. If I could fulfill my exercise needs solely by running, I'd likely consider dropping tris for the various reasons stated in this thread.

I bought a pair of early Hoka Mafates on special a year or so ago but they're so bulky I've only worn them a couple of times, so I haven't tested whether Hoka has developed such a shoe.

You didn't get my point. If I could run 10+ hours a week consistently at age 57 instead of train 10+ hours a week split between SB & R I'd considered dropping the S & B.