I just got a job offer with a $4K recruitment bonus for when I finish up my Masters in a few months. I have decided to do the smart thing for my future and blow it all on triathlon equipment. Here is what I am thinking:
Any other toy suggestions? I already ride the sweetest bike ever made (Orbea Ora, obviously) so I am all set in that department 
just 1 hed trispoke, can’t cover a h3
find a nice, lightish rear wheel to cover, maybe an 808 since you are wasting money =)
Spend $200 on 1 on 1 swimming lessons
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Don’t forget to set aside a good portion of that $4k for the tax man.
just 1 hed trispoke, can’t cover a h3
find a nice, lightish rear wheel to cover, maybe an 808 since you are wasting money =)
Spend $200 on 1 on 1 swimming lessons
Got the swim lessons covered - I just executed the greatest barter ever. A friend I race with is a savage swimmer and swim coach and a lousy biker. I am the opposite. So I traded him my old road bike (worth around $700-$1,000 now) for 10 hours of one-on-one lessons.
Spending a lot on a wetsuit is a waste of money.
I am a Nigerian Prince in desperate need of four thousand dollars to transfer money outside my country. You will get a P2C with disc wheel in return, along with millions of dollars and a harem of lady-friends with questionable morals. PM me!
Sorry if this offer should be in the classifieds.
Simple…keep your bike the way it is. Take a trip to someplace cool and have a vacation / ride / relax time. This may be the last time in decades you can really get away.
go with the 60 90 combo hed has, and put a wheelcover on it. you can do all that for under 1.5K here
get the powertap
buy an xterra wetsuit for half price -I even got their top of the line suit for under 300 (275!)
that leaves you with well over 1K for other crap
I take it from your educational achievements and healthy, fitness lifestyle, triathlon hobby and training, and the fact that you are in high demand by some business, you are probably disciplined, rational and an achiever. Its time for you now to, instead of doing the “smart thing,” its time for you to find the nearest casino, walk over to the roulette table. Put all the 4,000 thousand dollars on red.
Report back to us.
How bout using some as a entry fee?
I like the way you think
Given my love of bears and hatred of adipose tissue, I like your account name
Some good points have been raised. How good are you or do you intend on becoming? Because maybe if it’s not at or near the Elite level at Olympic or qualifying for Kona, you should consider toning down the equipment purchases and doing a kickass destination triathlon like Phuket, Alpe d’Huez, or even Escape from Alcatraz here in the States.
Just a thought.
Hmmm … 4K burning a hole. Wouldn’t even buy a nice roadie frame …
Sounds like you don’t have any race wheels. To get faster in the long run and have immediate tangible benefits I would:
There you have immediate speed, resale value, plan for future training and fun, all for 4K 
I used to have a PT and a set of trispokes, it drove me crazy not being able to race with my damn PT numbers now and then without using a heavy unaero wheel.
I recommend a PT Jet 9 set and a trip like R10C suggested. Nothing like one week-10 days of good training to actually make an improvement in your tri racing.
come on rod, what the hell is he going to do with a renn disc w/ no powertap hub? Seriously you think in the box guys amaze me. I’m going with the nigerian and the harem of women with questionable morals.
Besides 4k after taxes is only 2200 or so. (personally if you’re only getting a $4k signing bonus run, fast, in the opposite direction.)
High end hookers will cost you $1k or so I’ve been told, but to get a harem for $2k is a deal. Think of the residual income you can get from renting the harem out. Before long the dude will own powertap and renn.
2k for taxes. Under Mr. Obama’s plan’s, you will be consdered rich.
Zipp 1080 or disk rear wheel
Gamin 310XT.
I was waiting for the Hookers and blow recs - you would have been high on my list for that I doubt a recent grad is in my tax bracket, so he should have plenty to spend
I also knew someone would mention that you couldn’t race with the PT if you have a disc. But … I did say get the PT on a wheel (Open Pro, DT 1.1, whatever) and you can still put a cover on and race this if you prefer. I personally hate the infernal covers, but they seem to get a lot of recs here - probably by many who haven’t used both a disc and a cover
Getting anyone hooked on cross would not only enhance their love of a bike, but make them stronger and a MUCH better bike handler than the typical triathlete. Skills that would last a lifetime
2k for taxes. Under Mr. Obama’s plan’s, you will be consdered rich.
Zipp 1080 or disk rear wheel
Gamin 310XT.
More like 2.5k. I definitely won’t be rich haha - it’s a GS-9 government job. I’ll never get rich doing it but it will be something I really love. Oh, and they also pay off your student loans and give you extra paid vacation to do stuff like tris and marathons 
Some government agencies actually have their own tri teams - I have seen DHS and FBI jerseys at a number of races.
2) HED trispokes with disc cover ($2K’ish)
Why are people still buying these? It must be all those folks watching the reruns of Lance winning 7 TdFs with them. They are an inferior wheel to Zipp 808s or Hed Jet 90s. I’m doubt they are even as good as the 404s/Jet 60s.
Then again, if you are riding an Orbea and think it’s fast then you may as well use trispokes.
I think I noted the other day on ST Classfieds that someone is selling a rear PT wheel with cover and front SRAM 80 for $1400. That’s a pretty solid deal. I would also research wetsuits and see if anyone can provide any data (desert dude comes to mind) about whether cheap wetsuits are faster/slower than expensive ones.
Chad
come on you know I’m to frugal to spend my money on hookers and blow. Besides I don’t think Tucson has high class hookers. I’d have to drive to Scottsdale and lets face it, driving 2hrs for a hooker just ain’t worth it.
I’m all for acquiring skills. I saw a triathlete at the 40k TT last weekend unclip his outside foot to make a U-turn to get back to the start line. Almost ran over me since he u turned without looking as well.
There was a sweet deal ($400)on a Hed3C front a few days in the classified. Buy a rear for $500 and I just saved you $1100 for swim lessons and a hooker.