New triathlete with general gear questions

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2009-07-17 9:09 AM

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Subject: New triathlete with general gear questions
Hey guys, I'm new to triathlons and have a few questions.  I've been doing a lot of reading and am getting some mixed messages about some things that I'd like to get clarification on. 

Biking:
Are clipless pedals that important for someone who is starting out? I think I am going to want to continue tri'ing after my first one so they would get used.

*Note: I bought a new mountain bike that was economically fitting for me to replace my old junky bike that was in many ways not good enough.  I bought pedals with toeclips because I knew they were better than nothing at all, but upon further investigation, it seems clipless is really the way to go.  But as a starter, are they necessary?

An on board computer for distance/rpms?
How helpful/necessary are these? Well...I know they're helpful, but again, for someone who is just starting, what's the verdict?

Swimming:
Not much to say here, I have a cap/suit/goggles and am getting there. Pretty basic.

Running:
I have running shoes but it appears getting ones properly fitted/custom fitted is the way to go. Is it?


So after all is said and done with this stuff, what would the cost factor be for some of these things?

I appreciate all the help, thanks!

2009-07-17 9:21 AM
in reply to: #2291354

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Subject: RE: New triathlete with general gear questions
My opinion:
Biking:
Are clipless pedals that important for someone who is starting out?
Yes, they allow for better power transfer.  They will make a difference in your average speed.  In your case, "I" would wait until I bought a road/tri bike.  As I would not want to spend money upgrading the mountain bike, but would rather save for the road/tri bike.


An on board computer for distance/rpms?
How helpful/necessary are these? Well...I know they're helpful, but again, for someone who is just starting, what's the verdict?
Helpful, yes.  They give empirical data to record and see how you improve over time.  You can find them for <$40.


Running:
I have running shoes but it appears getting ones properly fitted/custom fitted is the way to go. Is it?
I have not been fitted or had my gait analyzed so cannot offer an opinion if it's better.

So after all is said and done with this stuff, what would the cost factor be for some of these things?
I don't understand the question.

2009-07-17 9:27 AM
in reply to: #2291354

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Subject: RE: New triathlete with general gear questions
I was just asking what kind of prices I'm looking when it comes down to getting pedals/shoes/bike computer/any other necessities. Just looking for what average prices are
2009-07-17 9:29 AM
in reply to: #2291354

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Subject: RE: New triathlete with general gear questions
Benderama - 2009-07-17 10:09 AM

Biking:
Are clipless pedals that important for someone who is starting out? I think I am going to want to continue tri'ing after my first one so they would get used.


Yes. Get them. If you're thinking about going over 50 mile rides, I'd lean towards road pedals and skip over the MTB pedals stage. A lot of people get MTB pedals so they can walk/trot in transition with the shoes on easier but then realize they need to upgrade as they do longer rides.

If you're going to stay with sprints and up to about OLY, either would work for you.


An on board computer for distance/rpms?


Get a computer for the bike. RPM is a completely option thing, though. Time/Speed/Distance will help you with workouts.
/>Swimming:
Not much to say here, I have a cap/suit/goggles and am getting there. Pretty basic.


Get polyester jammers. Do not get anything with lycra or spandex in it for training in a pool. It will turn see through in 3 months or so. Polyester or PBT are the two things you're looking for in jammer trunks.



Running:
I have running shoes but it appears getting ones properly fitted/custom fitted is the way to go. Is it?


So after all is said and done with this stuff, what would the cost factor be for some of these things?

I appreciate all the help, thanks!


Used pedals: Probably $20-50
New: 50-500
Computer: 20
with cadence 40
poly jammers 30
good shoes 70-200

Do NOT skimp on running shoes. Go to a running store, not a sports store, not a court type store (basketball, raquetball, etc) but a running store and let them fit you with shoes.
2009-07-17 9:55 AM
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Subject: RE: New triathlete with general gear questions
DanielG - 2009-07-17 9:29 AM

Used pedals: Probably $20-50
New: 50-500
Cycling shoes: $30-$500+
Computer: 20 with cadence 40
poly jammers 30
good shoes 70-200


Clipless pedals don't do you any good without shoes to hold the cleats!
2009-07-17 10:19 AM
in reply to: #2291532

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Subject: RE: New triathlete with general gear questions
the bear - 2009-07-17 10:55 AM

Clipless pedals don't do you any good without shoes to hold the cleats!


The OP said nothing about shoes for biking, just running


2009-07-17 2:43 PM
in reply to: #2291354

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Subject: RE: New triathlete with general gear questions

Are clipless pedals that important for someone who is starting out? I think I am going to want to continue tri'ing after my first one so they would get used.

*Note: I bought a new mountain bike that was economically fitting for me to replace my old junky bike that was in many ways not good enough.  I bought pedals with toeclips because I knew they were better than nothing at all, but upon further investigation, it seems clipless is really the way to go.  But as a starter, are they necessary?

I agree with the other poster to save for a road bike if you can.  Clipless is definitely the way to go though.  I think it's actually easier to get out of clipless pedals compared to toeclips.  Granted I haven't used toeclips in nearly 10 years, but it's one of the first things I remember thinking when I finally made the switch myself.  I don't think you'll find anyone that has ever gone to clipless that has ever gone back to toeclips, that right there should tell you they are worth it. 

One option you could go with is to get SPDs for your mountain bike and use them, then when you can buy a road bike you can move them over to that bike saving a little money at that time.  Over time though you'll probably want to buy road specific pedals and shoes since they have a larger surface area (less of a pressure point on your foot) and transfer power better.  That's exactly what I did years ago, my SPDs ultimately ended up back on another mountain bike too.

An on board computer for distance/rpms?
How helpful/necessary are these? Well...I know they're helpful, but again, for someone who is just starting, what's the verdict?

I wouldn't call them necessary, but for how cheaply you can get a basic one it's worth the investment.  Personally I prefer to have cadence on my road bike so I always cough up the extra cash to get a computer with it.  I pay more attention to my cadence while I'm riding than my speed since the speed will be a direct result from a good cadence in a high gear.  But I watch my cadence to know when I should think about shifting.  Cranking at 50rpm at 18mph will build up more lactic acid in my legs than 90rpm at 18mph, so I feel it helps me perform better for longer.  I think my last computer was only about $45, but it's one of those things you can transfer to another bike if you buy one too.

Swimming:
Not much to say here, I have a cap/suit/goggles and am getting there. Pretty basic.

Running:
I have running shoes but it appears getting ones properly fitted/custom fitted is the way to go. Is it?

I ran for years and simply bought shoes that felt good and were fairly light weight.  I then didn't run for about 6 years, so when I went to get back into it I went to a specialty running shop and explained my situation.  The first thing they did was video me running on a treadmill in a neutral shoe that I otherwise thought felt good.  They then played the video back in slow motion and showed me how my ankle and foot flexed in an attempt to stabilize myself when I landed.  They did that same thing with a number of different shoes until we found one that felt good and limited that weird flex in my ankle that I never knew I had.  All of this was done at no charge.  They even made sure they stuck to the budget I told them, which was $100 or less.  I'm sure I could have bought the same shoe somewhere else for $5-10 cheaper, but I probably wouldn't have bought a shoe that helped stabilize me.  The extra $5-10 might have helped prevent me from injuring myself too while trying to get back into it, no shin splints or anything so far.


So after all is said and done with this stuff, what would the cost factor be for some of these things?

I appreciate all the help, thanks!
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