I’m writing this not to toot my own horn or anything, but because an experience I had last night was a good little reminder to me about perspective when it comes to the equipment we carry. So, here we go.
For the past few years, I’ve spent my fall, winter, and spring (read: non-racing season) volunteering at a tutoring program for inner city kids once a week. Most days (when there isn’t snow on the ground) I commute by bike to work and, since I live in Chicago and lock my bike up on the sidewalk, I have an appropriate bike for commuting. I probably put more miles every year on my 1997 Schwinn Le Tour than my Tri bike, and I’m OK with that. This old steel beast, complete with downtube shifters gets me where I need to go. So, last night, I was walking the kid whom I tutor home, and had to grab my bike on the way out. So, he walked to my bike with me, and after I unlocked it, he picked it up. The first thing he says to me is, “Dang! This thing is LIGHT!” I’m thinking to myself, “Really? This old steel frame with low-grade shimano components? Light is the LAST word I would use to describe this thing! It’s STEEL! It’s not even made of ALUMINUM!” But, I held all of that in and instead replied, “Yeah, it is kind of light, isn’t it?” While I thought about my weighs-less-than-half-of-the-Le-Tour carbon tri bike at home. Now, most of the time (especially in races) I don’t really see that Tri Bike as something special. After all, it’s a 2008 Kuota K-Factor (i believe the bike was re-designed the next year) so, logic says it’s about time for an upgrade after 4 seasons with this steed. It IS relatively light, but it’s not very aero, and an upgrade could probably help me shave a few seconds off of an Olympic bike segment. But, on the other hand it’s pretty dang light, I can cruise on it and it’s carbon.
But, from this kid’s perspective, a 1997 Schwinn Le Tour is LIGHT. He’d probably be floored if he knew about the “nice” bike I keep in the closet at home (or what I spent on it). Add to that, my entry-level wetsuit, the running shoes I have (and how often I have to replace them), my tri clothing, and all of the other miscellaneous stuff I have for tri’s, and I’ve got quite a bit of really cool stuff (be it top of the line, or entry level, or somewhere in between). Our sport is constantly evolving, and with the latest pictures and articles on Interbike posted by Herbert on the main page, there’s (once again) some cool stuff being introduced this year. Just remember, even if you can’t get your hands the latest stuff and ride a 30 pound steel beast, you still ride a pretty light bike.
Just a little Friday afternoon perspective.