🚀 The Real Cost of Speed: Why Triathletes Overvalue Gear and Underestimate Fitness (and How It’s Sabotaging Your ROI)

🌤️ The Warm-Up

• 🚴‍♂️🏃‍♂️ Triathlon bikes feature a steeper seat tube angle (78°+), designed for two key benefits:

  1. A more aerodynamic position for faster cycling when drafting isn’t allowed.

  2. Improved running performance, as it reduces hamstring strain during cycling—saving up to 2.3 minutes in a 5K run after biking.

• 💻🚴‍♂️ Why Indoor training feels tougher—and science shows your FTP might be higher outdoors. Here’s how to train smarter.

🏃‍♂️The Sprint

🏊‍♂️ Black Friday, triathlete-style: Skip the chaos and upgrade your gear instead. This year’s pre-Black Friday sales are packed with deals on swim, bike, run, and tech essentials – perfect for refreshing your worn-out setup or gifting yourself something epic. Highlights include a sleek Zoot tri suit (40% off), Hoka Bondi 8 running shoes (20% off), and the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro ($250 off). For swim fans, snag a Blue Seventy wetsuit at 50% off or custom-fit goggles from TheMagic5.

🚴‍♂️ Pre-season savings on tri gear: Black Friday is your excuse to snag serious upgrades. Decathlon’s cushioned Mizuno Prodigy 5 shoes (58% off, £49.99) and the Cervélo P-Series 105 Race bike (24% off, £3,499) top the list. Garmin’s Fenix 7X Solar (31% off, £430) offers elite tracking for race-ready athletes. Missed a deal? Cyber Monday (Dec. 2) has you covered.

🎧 Amazon steals for triathletes: Hit the ground running with Amazon’s triathlon deals. Shokz OpenSwim Pro headphones (20% off, £135) and the Garmin Epix Gen 2 GPS Watch (30% off, £648) are workout game-changers. Secure your bike with the Kryptonite New York Lock (31% off, £82.37), or stay toasty with Speedo’s fleece-lined parka (63% off, $49.84). For indoor athletes, the NordicTrack Studio Cycle (17% off, $1,499) is a must-have.

🗺️ Long Course / 📊 Race Data

The Real Cost of Speed: Why Triathletes Overvalue Gear and Underestimate Fitness (and How It’s Sabotaging Your ROI)

Triathlon is a sport of efficiency, yet many athletes fall into the gear trap—spending thousands on upgrades like high-end TT bikes ($8,000) or ceramic bearings ($400) that deliver minimal time savings (1.9 and 1.3 minutes per $1,000 spent). 

These investments often distract from more impactful, cost-effective gains. In contrast, affordable options like elastic laces ($20) and Aero Hydration Systems ($80) offer the best ROI, saving 37.5 and 25 minutes per $1,000, respectively. 

The problem?

Over-reliance on gear without addressing fitness gaps leads to slower performances despite the hefty price tags.

The real speed boost lies in fitness. Unlike gear, fitness improvements scale across all three disciplines—swim, bike, and run—and deliver exponential returns. 

Training is cheap, durable, and doesn't require constant upgrades. A stronger engine (your body) powers any equipment you own, offering lasting advantages that no expensive gadget can replicate.

To maximize your ROI, triathletes should prioritize smart spending and structured training. Budget-friendly gear like elastic laces and aero water bottles ($80, saving 25 minutes per $1,000) provides meaningful time savings without breaking the bank. 

Meanwhile, high-dollar upgrades only make sense after low-cost gains and fitness improvements are maximized.

Ultimately, triathletes should focus on efficiency: invest time in fitness, target affordable, high-impact gear, and avoid the seduction of overpriced upgrades. 

Real speed comes from balancing your investments wisely—not from collecting the most expensive gear (even on Black Friday).

⛑️ Aid Station

🗺️ The BONK’s Top Triathlons In California 2025📍

🤌 Thought of the week

Every dollar you spend on gear saves seconds, but every hour you spend training saves minutes. Choose your ROI wisely.

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Time to bounce — but we'll be back! 🦘