I am a newbie to ALL of this. I have always run long distances (5 miles WAS long to me) and swam long distances (4500 meters is my longest but it was with full combat gear and 8 years ago) but now I am getting into Triathlon training which requires more gear than I currently own. I usually am the type of person that will buy the correct gear for the job, but due to a pregnant wife whom I won’t allow to work anymore becuase it is killing her and a big move from Las Vegas to California in the next 5 months I can’t plunk down the cash for a bike, helmet, swim attire, etc. I currently own goggles (aquasphere) and good running shoes of course (Adidas: Nova). The bike is where I stop. My friend is giving me a mountain bike that is in good working order and another friend has a Raleigh bike that he doesn’t know if it is a mountian or road bike that he wants $120 for. My question is will either of these bikes suffice with the current tires or should I buy specific road tires for them? My wife has promised me that if I stick with this and finish a race that she will allow =-] me to purchase a better one more suited for triathlons. Any input about gear/attire needed and my options with either of these bikes is greatly appreciated and needed. Thanks in advance! Semper Fidelis
Forums » General Training » Triathlon
Proper Gear for a Newbie
(28 posts)-
Posted 7 months ago #
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Semper Fi and good luck! A great place to find bikes is second hand stores and pawn shops. Garage sales are really good too. I am just getting rolling on this tri idea too. I have been biking for a couple of years now and if you put a kid on the back, a mountain bike is best. If you are training on your own, go with the road bike. I have both bikes as I have a toddler. I don't get out on the road bike as much as I would like but feel guilty leaving my monkey at home. Hang in there and good luck.
Posted 7 months ago # -
http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/bik/643082045.html
tri bike - way nicer than what I ride. check play it again sports for wetsuit. where do you train?
Posted 7 months ago # -
That is a nice bike. Unfortunatly it is about $699 out of my price range for the time being. I currently train in the Henderson area near Boulder and Horizon Ridge and am going to start swimming at the Rec center on Basic Street because it is the closest with a lap pool and hopefully some type of cycler. I was doing BJJ and Muay Thai at Cobra Kai but it is too much a month for me ($120) now and too far to drive everyday. I will check out play it again sports for the wetsuit. What kind/type am I looking for?
Posted 7 months ago # -
Look for a "triathlon" wet suit... you don't want a scuba or water ski suit... but a surf oriented suit might work.. The key is you want a suit that is easy to swim in.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Btw... a rental suit is always a reasonable option.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Really it all depends on how competitive you want to be, you can spend thousands of dollars on shoes speed suits, wet suits (if it is allowed check rules before purchase), bikes, helmets the list goes on forever. For your first Tri I would recomend good shoes, cus you will use them alot for PT, a bike it doesnt matter what kind MTB or Road, a pair of shorts you can swim, ride, and run in, and a camel bak or water bottle. Get your first Tri under your belt, see how you like it. Once you see what other people are using and how they set up there stuff in the transition you will have a better idea of what all you need and what all you need to do.
Posted 7 months ago # -
I agree... the one thing I think you should buy is a "tri suit" basically this is a swim suit that you can ride you bike in and run in... They come in one piece or two piece and they are totally worth it!
Posted 7 months ago # -
(sorry to "hi-jack" - but...Brad, do you have any recomendations as to which "tri suit" to look into? I know there are many, and just like shoe's, to each their own, but recomendations are appreciated).
BTW Brad - I'm taking your article on Transitions to the bank. 110% good info! Thanks!Posted 7 months ago # -
For long distance triathlons, I use Zoot tri-shorts and a seperate cycling jersey shirt... I prefer this over a singlet for long distance so that I can have an easier time with bio-breaks.
For short distance races I wear a singlet... My singlet happens to also be a zoot.
But... for what it's worth, I'd say, go try them on at the store, and pick the one that feels most comfortable to you.
Also... I no longer wear cycling shorts to do road riding... I only wear my tri shorts... I just find the larger padding of cycling shorts to be annoying. I also wear my tri shorts to run in.
Posted 7 months ago # -
I think I like the combination of the cycle jersey and the shorts. I'm not quite comfortable with myself to wear the zoot shorts but I have a comfy pair of loose swimming shorts that I plan to train in and use for my first triathlon in September. I went through the Choosing a triathlon plan and have chosen to do the "Olympic" only becuase I have been running an average of 7 miles (I have kept a detailed log since 01/06)a week since I was in highschool (now it is 20 miles a week) and I can swim long distance no problem with a perfect freestyle stroke and bilateral breathing. Plus lots of Run-swim-runs in the Marines. Now is cycle practice and tying it all together with the correct training.
Posted 7 months ago # -
dmt, we're neighbors. check out greenvalleyridez.com and come out for a swim or run. We usually post them up a day or 2 beforehand. I'd love to soak up some freestyle skills from you.
-bigdave
Posted 7 months ago # -
Awesome! I'll check it out!
Posted 7 months ago # -
Thanks for all the great info guys! I too am training for my first tri. It is a sprint tri. I've never done any long distance training. The closest is 17 mile mountain biking. I'm a cancer survivor, have a 3 year old and am a former powerlifting champion.
I'm using my mountain bike, can a 3 year old still ride on the back or not?, I'm upto running 2 miles connsecutive and will swim as soon as the water warms up. I hate pools and live on the lake:).
I was surfing the net for attire. I was going for the tri singlet, but the bio brake comment has me considering 2 pieces.
Any other equipment advice you can give? What are good trainig shoes ? I have a wide foot and pound the pavement pretty hard. ( I have lots of muscle)
Posted 7 months ago # -
I went to a professional running store for my shoes. The guy was great! He put me on a treadmill barefoot and recorded my feet while I ran. Then he played it back and picked out several pairs of shoes that would be beneficial to my running style. Then he had me run down the walkway until I found a pair that felt good to me. I would definitely recommend this if you are a hard pounder. Having the wrong shoes could end your training season early! Oh yea and I'm jealous about you living on a lake. Our lake here in Las Vegas is more like a slowly draining rock pond. Good Luck!
Posted 7 months ago # -
Oh yea, I forgot to post this. A friend of mine found a bike called an Auto Gear? I have never heard of a bike like this and a Google search came up with references to a auto-transmission for bicycles made by Browning (the gun maker). He said that it is a road bike with the skinny tires. Anyone have any info on this bike? I get pictures tomorrow. Thanks. Dustin.
Posted 7 months ago # -
I have never rode an auto gear bike but i would be skeptical about it for racing or Tris, I like to select my own gears depending on how my legs feel, and if I am going up hill I like to spin more. But I also have the same concept about cars I will only own a manual.
Posted 7 months ago # -
That makes sense. It turns out the bike is a girls bike. I got the free mountain bike today and it's in good shape so I will be using that. It's a little big for me (im 5'4") but I'll be fine I think. Now it just needs a tune up and street tires.
Posted 7 months ago # -
What Tri are you doing? I just did my first tri (Rage) a week ago and it was great!!! If your in Vegas are you going to be doing Pumpkinman? I've heard that's a good race and I will be doing it as an Olympic or half, not sure what will fit in my schedule. I picked up a nice bike from Javelin, they are closing out their bikes and just going to do components. Not sure if there are any left but my friend picked up two a few weeks ago so if you are interested this is is the low down. the top prices are the retail and the next price is what they are selling them for until they are gone.
good luckFor all Team Javelin members and their friends – Javelin Cycles is having a fantastic inventory closeout sale. Javelin has priced their complete bikes to move.
Suggested Retail Price
Closeout PriceMULTI-SPORT BIKES
Narni $1900.00 $799.99 Varese $1600.00 $549.99 Sizzano $1200.00 $449.99 ROAD BIKES
Fara $1600.00 $599.99 Garda $1150.00 $349.99
Parma (w/aero bars)
$950.00 $224.99 CHILDREN’S BIKE Dolce $650.00
$299.99
When you buy two bikes, sent to the same address, shipping is free. For more information and to buy a bike, please call Dave or Geoff at Javelin, 847.526.0100.Posted 7 months ago # -
I plan to do the Olympic at the Las Vegas Triathlon. I've never heard of the Pumpkinman?? Where is Javelin sports located? My wife doesn't want me to put money into a bike that is too big for me. Do they have a website? I'll check Mr. Google. Thanks for the info. Dustin
Posted 7 months ago #
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