Shimano 105 - way better than it gets credit for
Felt B14 - competent frame with Ultegra for a song
Bell Javelin / Giro Advantage helmets
Wahoo Bolt
Kirt Kinetic Road Machine

 

Slowtwitch.


.

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Once, I was fast. But I got over it.

Most of the stuff I lug to the pool every swim is underrated by most here.

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Swimming Workout of the Day:

Favourite Swim Sets:

2020 National Masters Champion - M50-54 - 50m Butterfly

As a fellow fish, I have to ask what’s in that bag.

Mine: snorkel, old school pull buoy, paddles, fins, spare bottle.

Petroleum Jelly

Not too dissimilar, I have a few more things though.

Essentials:
Flip flops (I am NOT walking around the locker room in bare feet. No way)
2 suits, 4 pairs of goggles in different colours
Cap and spare
Clean towel
Stick roller. When I can, I’ve been making an effort to roll a bit before practice
Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand cream, deodorant. Because I don’t really need to smell like a pool all day.
Spare contacts, string and scissors


Now the toys
Pull buoy - not necessary, there are the exact same ones at the pool, but sometimes there aren’t enough
Kickboard - same deal, but mine is a TYR streamline board. It has less flotation than the standard pool board, and is great for kicking in a good streamline position. I use mine probably 25% of the time I’m kicking
Snorkel - self explanatory.
Finis agility paddles (IMO best paddles for most triathletes)
TYR catalyst 2 paddles -red (M) much bigger than the finis and my new fave. Not so much for power, but the size really amplifies the feedback. Not for inexperienced swimmers in the size I have. I’m actually jonesing for a bigger set.
Ankle band - just an old piece of inner tube
Fins- I don’t know why these are in my bag. I hate using them and they rarely come out
Water bottle: mostly for before or after practice.
A GoPro. Doesn’t get used as often as it should.

Things that aren’t in my bag but should be:
Another set of paddles
Collapsible foam roller.
Drag devices. Drag suit, parachute, and/or drag socks.

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Swimming Workout of the Day:

Favourite Swim Sets:

2020 National Masters Champion - M50-54 - 50m Butterfly

bless your heart.

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Dan Empfield
aka Slowman

Continental Ultra Sport II tires.

Park Tool Master Link Pliers. Cheap and make chains so much easier!

Speedplay pedals

Finis Tempo Trainer

It's been mentioned before but if you aren't using this thing you are doing yourself a major disservice especially if your bike is full of marginal gain stuff.

Vapoufly 4%

There are people who seriously argue that 150$ more for a shoe which is considerably faster compared to a conventional shoe is not worth it (ok I agree with those who are NOT faster with that shoe but that can't be many)

Shimano Sora.

Yeah it's that good. I'd run this forever if it weren't for.the intentional incompatibility with 11spd.

Why do you think they are so important?

I have never tried it, and I'm not entirely sure how I would incorporate it into my particular training regime. I've definitely been curious about it and thought of getting one a few times, but it's something that would take me a while to learn.

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Swimming Workout of the Day:

Favourite Swim Sets:

2020 National Masters Champion - M50-54 - 50m Butterfly

ass kisser. We all know that you're just pandering so that Dan gives you a free subscription.

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Swimming Workout of the Day:

Favourite Swim Sets:

2020 National Masters Champion - M50-54 - 50m Butterfly

Definitely the best investment I made this year. Picked up a used park tool (PCS9) for $60. I was using my trainer for a while to hold the bike. A proper stand has made me more likely to do my own work and realize it is not that hard to do.

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2019 T-Rex Tri Series

For real. I put those on for most of the year outside races and use them on the trainer. So cheap and have never had any issues.

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Use this link to save $5 off your USAT membership renewal:
https://membership.usatriathlon.org/...A2-BAD7-6137B629D9B7

This - has improved my swimming by quite a bit. It's a bit overpriced for the 80s tech it provides but if you doubt: Get it and swim the Red Mist set trying to beat the beep on every lane. Keeps you very honest.

Is shaving legs, arms, and chest underrated or overrated?

4%s

Yes, they are underrated even with the massive hype.

Everything DeSoto but especially the 2 piece wetsuit. Why more people don't try it I will never know.

Same with the Synergy two piece wetsuit. Half the price of the Desoto. One race in mine, and I gave my Roka away.

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Athlinks / Strava

Arm coolers

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808 > NYC > PDX > YVR
2024 Races: Taupo

Real chain wax.

I used to spend a lot of time constantly cleaning my drivetrain and re-applying drip lube. Wet or dry.

Then the huge mess of black tar everywhere. Gross. Inefficient. Hard to clean.

The time investment in ultrasonic and a crock pot to cook chains has been a game changer on the bike.

No more "Cat 5 racer chainring tattoos". No more nasty stains on bike clothes or door handles. Constantly cleaner and equally (or more) wattage savings.

I think people see the up-front time investment as moronic. I've argued this into the ground with some roadie clubbies who like to constantly re-clean and top off on drip lube. They just don't believe you. But will constantly talk about re-cleaning and see them top-up lube before every ride.

I bought a spare chain for each bike type and have it ready to roll.

Body Glide

AFAIK Jason you are a legitimately real swimmer and I should have qualified my statement that it need not apply to real swimmers ;)

But for us fakers pacing and stroke rate..... the struggle is real! This little beeper can address both needs.

Many great products from DeSoto but bike shorts are not one of them. Their 400 mile bibs are terrible.

RealAB is a much better swimmer than I am, and I know he uses the tempo trainer. And Olympic medalist Cody Miller has talked about using one in his vlog. So I agree that they are useful, I'm just not smart enough to figure out how to use it.

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Swimming Workout of the Day:

Favourite Swim Sets:

2020 National Masters Champion - M50-54 - 50m Butterfly

- Another vote for 105. The newest series (R7000) is excellent
- TriSlide

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You will never, in your life, have a chance like this again.
If I were you, I would not pass this up. I would not let this go by...this is rare.
Come on...what harm??

hmm, I like my 400 mile bike shorts (not bibs). ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

+1 on the wax (vs lube) chain. Best bike wrench/maintenance/upkeep move I've ever made on my bike.

If you wrench your own bike, I'd go so far as to say this is a MUST-do. You will be able to mess with everything full out, and never have to worry about permanent grease stains. Rendered the entire gallon+ of orange degreaser and my ultrasonic cleaner obsolete. Costs <$25 in total startup costs excluding the chain.

The sweatband

cheap wireless bluetooth earbuds - link below

recovery shakes

lasco blower fans - link below

8 port usb "power strip" - link below

and I'll agree with previous posters nominations of speedplay pedals & Nike vaporfly 4%



https://www.amazon.com/...9QCCS3Z38VVP8SZZFSKW

https://www.amazon.com/...5016019425&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/...le?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Wool

To go along with the proper bike work stand, which is essential, two underrated items to supplement it are

• Nitrile gloves for bike maintenance
• Parts washer and ultrasonic cleaner

Having worked in a shop, I can say the level of improper maintenance/repair going on by riders (not just apathy, but actually f*cking things up) is astonishing.

Xtenex laces. So superior to any other speed lace I've seen that it still surprises me that anyone uses any other type.

Finis agility paddles are the best paddles I've ever had. I also had strokemakers and the Sporti paddles, which I really liked. I currently also have the Tyr snorkel.

I'm wearing a Tyr polymesh square-bottom suit.

Swedish goggles and the Hind Compy (and clones) are the simplest and most efficient goggles I've ever used. Lose one? No problem!! For the $4/each, you can buy many more!

In fact, I'd say goggles are THE single most important thing to happen to swimming and triathlon, EVER. Go ahead, flame me.

+1. I really love mine and found they are the best of all speed laces I've tried (a lot)

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the world's still turning? >>>>>>> the world's still turning

+1

how's the shifting compare to 105?

Yes. Just started using it about a month ago and required a little getting used to, but it has really helped me dial in varying effort levels and be consistent.

145mm cranks

1. New Balance Beacon shoes - Great for 70.3 and above
2. Adidas Boston 7 shoes - Incredible for anything shorter than a 70.3
3. Sweatband
4. Cheap Senso Bluetooth ear buds
5. Treadmills (no more than $2K) are awesome life changers
6. Netflix and Hulu
7. Pull Buoy - Biggest difference in my consistency in swim training
8. Sprint Races - The funnest distance in Tri.
9. IM Talk Podcast - Once you start understanding Bevan James' thick kiwi accent the podcast is great!
10. Membership to a good Tri Club can be invaluable.

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http://dontletitdefeatyou.blogspot.com

In all the hype over zwift & smart trainers, the humble dumb trainer and/or rollers. They just work.

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Swimming Workout of the Day:

Favourite Swim Sets:

2020 National Masters Champion - M50-54 - 50m Butterfly

brake pads

I dunno, I feel like I could do a triathlon without a goggles, but a bike on the other hand...

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Matt

Oh how I wish you could get this through the thick skull of my other half

Possibly the best $2 I've ever spent. I get them when they go on sale at Old Navy, a pair lasts about a year.

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Swimming Workout of the Day:

Favourite Swim Sets:

2020 National Masters Champion - M50-54 - 50m Butterfly

Funny, I was thinking of going back to dumb trainer. Big ring sets on a fluid pro will make you a hill climbing monster.

Adding: Skechers running. Razor 3s >>>>>> 4%

Fluid trainer doesn't have enough resistance for big gear, low cadence sets though :P

Elite Fly bottles for $8: big nozzle for great flow and weighs 40g less than a standard water bottle. It's funny seeing people spend $50 on a carbon cage to save 10g and then put a regular heavy water bottle in it

CycleOps hammer: the thing is so solid, made in the US, and I just don't see why Wahoo has such a large market share.

Nike React Odyssey: Almost as comfy as Adidas Ultraboost, springier than the Peg Turbo, and costs 30% less.

Eklind, Klein, SK, CDI and other quality tools: For non-bike specific tools, go with trusted professional brands, not bike tool brands. There seems to be a mark-up and quality reduction when it's bike specific. Park Tools and others are great for bike-specific stuff but wrenches, for example, use super soft metal that warps too easily with use. Same goes for torque wrenches

If we all wrench our bikes perfectly there’d be even less work for bike shops. I try to do much of my own maintenance now, but when I get stuck I just take it in and let them known I probably f***d some stuff up.

I have that fan. Get it angle just right and it’s perfect

I’ve never used rollers. But still have my dumb trainer as a backup. Nothing wrong with it. I do like my smart trainer but the simplicity of the dumb trainer was always nice.

New balance beacon. I’d never heard of those. I wear the new balance zantes. The beacon looks nice.

Sprint distance. Yes! So much fun. I think part of it is so many new triathletes and people not taking it so serious as nobody is qualifying for kona

I'm also going to add shaving products marketed to women. I can shave my legs with wild abandon and get nary a nick with Gillette Venus razors (with replaceable heads!) and some shaving cream. Never tried it on my armpits, I have to say.

Dude.

wild abandon! Sounds like a party at your house. Just make sure you agree on a safe word beforehand.

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Swimming Workout of the Day:

Favourite Swim Sets:

2020 National Masters Champion - M50-54 - 50m Butterfly

Missed it my first read through, but I'm excited to see the B14 on your list. I bought one as my first TT bike a few months ago and honestly haven't been able to find much information about how people like it. I rode it 2-3 times per week through the winter on the trainer and have only taken it outside for 2 rides. So far I love it, but I don't have anything to compare it to.

I'm a long-time Zante fan but I think the Beacons might be better. They're lighter and the cushioning is amazing. Not sure if I'd race in them as I prefer something a little more responsive, but as everyday trainers they are pretty awesome.

No kidding. I am amazed that the B14 does not get more praise; it is an incredible value. By contrast, the Cervelo P2 is $800 more. I have never seen a side-by-side B14 and P2 comparison, but it is hard to fathom that the P2 is faster out of the box with its cruddy cockpit and dirty cable routing (and that rear brake). It seems like it would take another few hundred dollars of P2 upgrades to get it on par with a B14 out of the box, and then you still have a 105 bike-- a very expensive 105 bike.

That's THE Dude to you, thank you very much.

I just ordered a pair of the beacons. $100 isn’t bad. I doubt I’ll hate them. My only IM I used the Hoka conquests which they don’t make anymore. Hoka’s are okay they just feel clunky to me. The zantes are nice but now I’ve seen they’ve sort of split it into different models

Never tried them, but already two professional marathoners sponsored by other brands have been caught with disguised 4%s

Gravel bike, Road bike, MTB.... n+1; because riding the tri bike all the time is boring

Chamois cream!

Rancilio Silvia

Agree about the Beacons. One of my favorite shoes right now. My only gripe with them, was the insole sliding around. I've since glued mine and never had the issue again. I just hope they don't go changing anything if they make a V2

They will. They always do. Load up on V1 when it goes on sale after V2 comes out.

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-Mark Rebuck, http://www.markrebuck.com/

Only thing I can think of as well, amazing wetsuit. 'Underrated' due to those that haven't tried it. Tried Roka Maverick, B70 Helix, Huub, always ended up back with my Desoto T1. Shoulder freedom and ease of putting on and taken off is way ahead of the others.

haha. i put a helmet, goggles, and an old speedo in a bag in my trunk. it stays there. whatever i might forget (i won't forget my bike) on race day, i'll always be able to race.

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__________
"At the end he was staggering into parked cars and accusing his support-van driver of trying to poison him." A description of John Dunbar in the 1st Hawaii Iron Man

This... 👍

The old inner tube I use as a band for swimming.

A Good bottle cage/bottle combo that hangs on to bottles perfectly

Not sure if this really counts as a “product”, swimming pools with lane lines installed at the correct height. A couple of years ago my pool replaced the bulkhead. The original one had anchor points that were about 4-6 inches above the water surface, I’d constantly be hitting my hands on the lanelines especially doing fly. Ouch.

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Swimming Workout of the Day:

Favourite Swim Sets:

2020 National Masters Champion - M50-54 - 50m Butterfly

Tannus solid tires.. you don't need to race on them, if you are a watt weenie ,(5w?)... But for training don't ruin your work out or group rides to change flats....