I am curious as to people’s views of the best performance/dollar upgrades one can make to training, a bike and or other triathlon equipment (including the engine). Like most triathletes I am an training/equipment junky, but would like to use some methodology for upgrades. I figure performance (not necessarily speed – could also be safety/comfort/others) gain/costs is probably the best measurement.
For a group that loves the latest and greatest, I was surprised to see this thread go unanswered. No one has any thoughts? Anyone? Beuller?
J
Here’s my list for cycling, in order of cost/benefit:
Clothing that will allow you to increase your number of annual riding days. If you ever skip a ride because of weather, this should be number one on your list.
Buy a couple books and educate yourself on sports physiology and training.
Join a bike club and go on one fast group ride per week (actually, this is probably free).
Some training videos to make your indoor workouts more productive.
Whatever piece of equiptment that will get you juiced up to ride more.
Not sure if you’re asking about swimming but if you are, all 3 of these are of equal importance:
A good set of underwater videos of stroke technique
Some coaching
“Swimming Even Faster” by Ernest W. Maglischo
The number one thing to buy:
More time for training.
end of discussion.
Here is my list that help made me faster… You have to be comfortable on your bike. So if a new bike will fit better and make you ride more, I would put it higher on the list.
Time in the saddle
indoor bike trainer
new bike
New bike seat 
Swim lessons
Swim training stuff… Hand paddles, fins etc…
More time in the pool
As cerveloguy has said hundreds of times here the Ch Aero disk cover. I doubt that anything has the Performance to dollar ration that this has. All the benefits of a disk for $59.
-
aero bars if you don’t already have 'em
-
A bike fitting from an expert experienced fiiter. Better comfort/power/speed/handling/aero all in one shot. And the benefits last forever.
-
a good trainer (I dig my Kinetic)
-
a wetsuit
-
swim/stroke lessons
-
developing a 90+ cadence while running (& cost? = FREE!)
(& disclaimer - I did spend mebbe $15 on ChiRunning book, and $30 on a Tempo Trainer, but neither was mandatory, just very good to have)
I’m very happy w/ my eBay 404’s; but from a cost/benefit standpoint, any 3 of the above would have a MUCH greater impact on improved performance for the same or less $ than these wheels cost me.
A wonderful wife that lets you train more then you work!! Like mine!! : )
Lucky bastard! I have to fight, scratch and feel like a selfish ass for my training time.
A wonderful wife that lets you train more than you work…??? is there such a thing??? heh heh heh
look at where you place in your age group or overall in each of the three sports and what your limiters are. For example: If you place top 10 on the bike but are mid pack on the swim then swim coaching would be your best bet. If you can’t stay in the aero bars easily for the race distance then a bike fit or bike components. If you have a hard time figuring out what to do with your training time then a coach. etc.
I follow Nicks advice about seeing where I place among the three disciplines, last fall at my last tri I was 225/300 on the swim, 104/300 on the bike and 150/300 on the run, 140/300 overall.
So I bought a new bike : )
On a serious note, it was a borrowed bike and I needed my own to train, but I have spent more time swimming, swimming clinics, etc.
Indeed, anything that will increase the weekly frequency of working out in an individual sport will indeed lead to an increase in performance.
A wall calender, even a freebie one that you can get just about anywhere, is also a good incentive piece, to keep the frequency gig rolling along.
Fleck
I am curious as to people’s views of the best performance/dollar upgrades one can make to training, a bike and or other triathlon equipment (including the engine). Like most triathletes I am an training/equipment junky, but would like to use some methodology for upgrades. I figure performance (not necessarily speed – could also be safety/comfort/others) gain/costs is probably the best measurement.
I will put in a plug for my product, PowerCranks. While they seem “pricey” at $800, so it would seem hard to think they are more cost effective than other products, I think they are. Going fast is about the engine. If you are going to spend money, your money is best spent on improving the engine.
They are the only product that improves both cycling and running and they do things to form and technique that cannot be achieved in any other way. Don’t think of them as a pair of cranks but,rather, like “renting” a full time cycling coach or running coach for the next several years. How much would that cost? Further, the benefits continue over several years and mid-packers can expect 4-5 mph bike speed improvement over this time and see 1-2 min/mile marathon running speed improvement also. How much is that worth?
And, you don’t have to believe me or anyone else as they come with a 90 day money-back guarantee so you can try them yourself to see if they are worth the price before you are committed.
Thanks for the advice thus far and please keep them coming. I should have included a list of my favorites as well (many already mentioned by others). Not necessarily in order:
CycleOps 2 Trainer – With three kids this creates additional training time by allowing me to ride my bike at night after my kids have gone to bed. I know I could ride with a light, but I am not of fan of taking additional risks while cycling.
Spinervals DVDs – These make my bike trainer workouts much more enjoyable. I do have to admit that the music leaves much to be desired and unfortunately I can now quote Troy Jacobsen. Anyone know what he has against the number 4?
Electric Fan – This too makes my bike trainer workouts much more enjoyable.
Gym Membership with Pool – I am fortunate to have a gym with a great pool where I swim with several of my friends, including one who is a swim coach.
Timex Watch with GPS/Heartrate – For me this has made running much more enjoyable. I can keep track of my distance and pace and can do so on trails, new routes, etc. I also use the heartrate function while biking.
Shimano TR-02 shoes – The ease of entry and exit (versus road shoes) have saved valuable time in sprint races.
Coolmax – This fabric in clothes has made training much more enjoyable.
Aerobars – Almost free speed, plus I almost feel like I am resting versus my road position (I ride a Soloist with aerobars).
The Triathlete’s Training Bible – Has helped with training including periodization, heart rate and pace training, etc.
Free calendar from work – I use it to plan and record races, training, etc.
I have some specific questions about some items and whether they will make a material difference –
-getting a tri set up front for my soloist?
-race wheels?
-Powertap/power training?
Well, lets see…is there one?..well…YES…And I have her!!! : )
I get to ride, run or swim(but I never opt for the swim) every afternoon for 2-4 hours, while she watches the Inn for us.
Hire a strapping young teenager to do the lawn work and see if that doesn’t fix the problem.
Oh sure… then who’s the real winner in that scenario?
I have some specific questions about some items and whether they will make a material difference
-getting a tri set up front for my soloist?
-race wheels?
-Powertap/power training?
race wheels are instant speed and gratification, I’d get them first. I see a big difference with mine.
The power training next, I think it can be very helpful if you put the time into figuring out what to do with the data…
I’m not convinced that a full-aero frontend is worth the money, aerobar clipons will get you 95% (SWAG) of the benefits.
What’s your budget?