Happy to help! It's a tough one, because gear is *required* for this sport, but it's also really easy for people to get deep into the rabbit hole and for people to start acting like you 'need' all this gear. It's just swimming biking and running. Dave Scott and all those Ironman classics were doing 8 and 9hr full ironmans with gear that a lot of people would turn their noses up today, which is just silly. If you've got the cash, sure, some nicer gear makes it more enjoyable, but no need to get deep until you're ready. :)
1. Good tight swimwear (speedo endurance +) 2. Good goggles (speedo vanquishers) 3. Clothing for bike & run. 4. Decent Bike 5. Helmet & Gloves 6. Flat repair kit 7. Running shoes 8. 2 towels Large bright towel (finding stuff) Microfiber towel 9. Foam roller “Things you don’t really need” • Pool accessories • GPS running watch • Don’t overthink it. Just swim, bike, run. Thanks for the video
This video is soooo encouraging! I’m a distance runner, it’s the love of my life haha, but recently began swim training so that I could start doing triathlons. I fell in love with swimming and now I’m facing the bike portion...it has intimidated me because I feel clueless about bikes and figured I needed a fancy one ...knowing I can use a basic bike is such a relief! I’ve always sort of felt like, I just want the basics, and put me at the start line and let me go lol, this video validates that!!!
Heyo, I'm so happy to hear that! I have three more videos that I'd suggest for you! "How to buy a triathlon bike," "Sprint Triathlon tips," and my latest popular video, "5 things people aren't telling you about bike buying." All of those are going to cover slightly different angles, but the super super short version is: Seriously just show up with whatever bike you can, and it'll be fine. If you can make a drop bar road bike happen, that's going to get you let's say... 85% of the gains possible. The rest is details. As a runner, you're going to see massive gains come on the bike with just a little bit of work. You've got the aerobic engine, so now it's just about transferring that base awerobic fitness to being utilized in a new way. Of course, all fitness is beneficial when starting something new, but being a strong runner can make cycling come pretty quickly. I haven't found the reverse as much, because running has so many other factors (like overuse injuries when starting too quickly, etc.) So short version, don't stress! :)
@@JustinDoesTriathlon I appreciate this info SO MUCH!!! I’m watching and liking all your videos and am a happy subscriber. Being a long distance runner, I know how much of any sport happens in your mind first, and your advice/info shifts my mentality to a place of feeling so ready and encouraged! Just hit 3 miles in open water this weekend and of course marathon distance running is my forte, going to grab a cool road bike and just start riding!!!!
That's so awesome, happy to help at all! You're gonna be a rocket. 3 miles OWS is just about tied with as far as I've ever gone, that's for sure. Tri is interesting, because I simultaneously *totally* get why people get intimidated by combining all three, and I sure did, but at the same time, if you can refocus it to just 'going for a swim, then a bike ride, then a run,' and you're comfortable with all three of those, then it doesn't have to be scary. I hope you really enjoy the bike. Really all three sports have their awesome aspects. I personally think cycling is my pick just because when you're really dialed and strong on a bike, you can go drop 50 or 80 miles and really just SEE so much. It's a great way to spend a few hours.
@@JustinDoesTriathlon it’s so cool to chat with a fellow tri enthusiast, or even someone who’s in to to these things at all, and for you to appreciate each sport and the joy of all three in their own way. I truly bore the people in my life with it haha...yes exactly that’s totally how I see it, I segment it into its own thing even though it’s consecutive and within the same race. And since running is my love, I just know that once the swim and bike of the Ironman is behind me, even on mile 1 of the marathon I’ll feel like I can consider it accomplished! At that point it’s just forward movement until I cross the finish!
Thank you Justin for the simplistic approach! It's great to have a well-educated mentor. At 57, I'm looking to participate in my first sprint tri later this year. I can definitely get pulled into the gear head mentality. The KISS principal is what I need.😂
As I am preparing for a few sprints and possibly an Olympic this year I have been watching countless videos in the background at work and this is the FIRST one that had an honest opinion about a bike. I have been extremely overwhelemd by the thousand+ dollar bikes that I believe scare people away from cycling and sometimes in turn triathlons. I personally did not own a bike (and is by far the leg i struggle with) so I went and got a cheap Vilano R2 that weighs way too much, awkward to maneuver, and does not have integrated shifters, but hey, it gets the job done and it is the right size. I have decided if I like the sport and want to continue this is my biggest area of gear to upgraede. I think jumping from a $2/3000 bike to a $6/700 bike would be a big jump in easily relatable performance but I imagine like my beginners, I am cautious to jump in and pull out my wallet. I do admit, I have started googling bike rentals for race day as 16lb bike seems a lot more appealing than a 27lb bike.
Happy to help! Funny you point that out... I've started writing and scrapped probably 5 videos that would basically be titled like... "Everyone buys tri bikes wrong." It's a tricky subject, and there's a lot of opinion and perspective and shifting goals that all come into what sort of bike you need. Bluntly, I would say that a LOT of triathletes are spending huge money on stuff that doesn't really matter. You go to any race, you'll have people on $5000 bikes with $2500 Zipps pulling a 16.5mph average on an Oly course. But even then, I'm not here to gatekeep; if you have the money and it makes you happy, rock on. Sometimes I think like, "Well a SUPERBIKE still costs less money than buying an optioned out Camry over a Corolla, so hey, live your life." I completely agree though, I think it can be very intimidating and (in some ways) embarrassing to be on a ‘low end’ bike. I did my first season of tris on a Trek 2.1 (which is a PERFECTLY fine entry level road bike) and I totally remember feeling that I wasn’t as cool as the people on the ‘real bikes.’ But if we’re honest, the vast majority of speed gains come from the aerobars; your body is 90%+ of the total system drag anyway. Even a 30lb bike vs a 16lb bike doesn’t matter on a flat course once you’re up to speed. Plus add in body weight, and we’re talking total system weight of 205 vs 220. So it’s tough, because like… Bikes do make a difference, and there’s a lot of intangibles too. It feels good riding a better bike, and even if the clock won’t show it, the experience is often nicer. I ended up getting a dedicated tri bike because I wanted the dual fits moreso than the time gains. I arguably have a super bike, but I actually bought it used for FAR less than retail (and barely more than something like a Felt B14new.) Even then, if I did it over again, I’d just buy a B14 and call it a day. The big big big majority of us are not missing out on podium slots due to the bike. I always remember back in college, by FAR the fastest guy (on the flats) that I knew was on an 80s/90s aluminum Panasonic with DT shifters. Dave Scott pulled WILDLY fast times on bikes that a lot of people would laugh at today. Gear matters, but it’s really about the engine. Have some great races! 👍
Absolutely, happy to help. I've actually got a vid coming out soon kinda recapping mistakes I made through triathlon // before Ironman, and spoiler, one of them is gear related. Basically: obviously there's stuff you *need*, but I kinda cringe watching a lot of the videos I see on UA-cam talking like you NEED a $350 running watch, you NEED this and that, and honestly it's just a bunch of BS. Of course, there's definitely stuff that'll improve your experience, but seriously don't stress about stuff claiming to make you go faster. *Especially* on a sprint, it really isn't a big deal. By far the fastest cyclist on my college team was a guy on a late 80s/early 90s Panasonic. The bike would be laughed at by internet forums, but the dude was a beast on it. That's what matters. 👍
What a fabulous video. Not only did it answer some question but you made it feel more doable. Looking forward to watching this again before my first race Thank you.
Happy to help! So much about triathlon is just needlessly intimidating, and I think accidently re-enforced by triathletes who like showing off the fun new gear they get. Nothing wrong with gear (and I have more than my fair share of it too), but there's something to be said for just showing up to a race with the bare necessities and just doing some work. Heck, look at Dave Scott in the 1980s triathlons: Dude was putting down sub9hr ironmans with bikes that a lot of people would sneer at today. Fitness beats everything else. Hope you have a great race! :D
Not done a tri ...Yet but planning on doing a sprint or two this year, Your vids are so very helpful ,Massive Thank you for taking the time out to help others Justin.
Thank you, I've been running for 2.5 years and was thinking about progressing to triathlon at some point. I don't currently have a bike but good to know a cheapish road bike will be sufficient.
I really appreciate your videos, especially the beginner ones. I'm just glad my wife didn't hear the part about not needing another bike. 🤫😉 You have really helped my confidence in prepping for the sport and I thank you. 🙏
Thanks for the tip. When i started out I saw everything new and shiny and wanted to buy it until I saw this video/ Thanks for saving be a bunch of money. I completed my first triathlon earlier this year and it was a success, wet success but still a success, rain is not a friend to the triathlete and their gear.
I'm all about people not spending a bunch of money to get going. Like hey, if you've got the cash and want to, go for it. But I once saw a video that included a GPS watch as a beginner 'essential' and it's like... Come on, that's objectively not essential, haha. Great job on the first one! I subbed to your channel; looking forward to seeing it! And agree, rain is frustrating to say the least. :(
I find the larger goggles are way more comfy such as the Arena X-Sight. Don't worry about the judgement cause they are so comfy. I cant do those other tiny goggles.
Thanks Justin. I’m doing my first sprint triathlon in 8 weeks and I’m a bit nervous of the cycle and run legs as the swim I find easy. It was encouraging to hear just enjoy it and don’t stress! I have a $30 tri suit which I will wear for all legs but so you wear a cycle jersey or T-shirt over the top for the cycle and run legs? Also do I wear socks in my cycle shoes?
Hi Heather! Sorry, I saw this and meant to reply when I got to my computer and then definitely just didn't. Yeah, relaxing goes a long way. :) You *can* wear a jersey or shirt over the tri suit if it makes you more comfortable, but you definitely don't have to. Arguably one of the best perks of the tri suit is that it sort of takes the elements of 'clothing' out of race. Put it on and then you can put a wetsuit on over it if you want to, and then yes, you can just get out of the water and carry on with your race. As for socks, I generally vote yes, especially on your first race. Scrunching them is a good way to get them on over wet feet. As you improve and get faster and want to tighten your transitions up you can consider going sockless, and some definitely do, but of course try it in training first. Blisters are no fun for anyone!
Thank you, Justin! Your video's are very informtive. I just signed up for my first duathlon and it's in a month! I have running experience but not so much biking. Would you suggest I need to have clip-in shoes for my first race? I will be purchasing a bike here soon.
Happy to help! As for clip-in pedals.... I lean no for now. Clip pedals aren't super hard to learn, but if you're new-ish to biking in general, and you're already nervous about your first race, that sounds to me like unnecessary added stress. That said, it really only takes a couple days to get used to them. I do think you should eventually get them. You could get a pair of pedals+shoes now, try it out, and if it's added stress, then just go back to flats for the race. You want your pedals to be a non issue on race day. :) Do clips long enough and you'd never want to ride without them.
Don't remember if said already,, I think sun glasses k cup are must running @! and also testing everything in training before any event...nutrition included
I’m doing my first Sprint triathlon at the end of this month and I bought a tri suit and wondering if it is recommended to wear it for the swim as well? Thanks for any advice!
I'm also doing my first sprint this week and yes, if you've got a proper tri suit then it's made to be worn from start of the swim to end of the run. I don't need a wetsuit for my swim so the only gear I'll be swapping out are shoes and helmet in transitions. Have a great race!
Yep, what @Rebekka Augustine said is correct. You can definitely just wear the tri suit. If you want to be a little fancier, you can buy either a wetsuit or swimskin. Wetsuits add bouyancy and insulation. Swim skins are for when the water is too warm for a suit. They don't provide any insulation or bouyancy, but are a slick, tight suit that goes over your tri suit to minimize drag. Look up the race vids from previous years and see what most people do. Wetsuits can be nice, but definitely aren't required (especially if you're in a warm water area.) But yes, short answer: you can definitely just use your tri suit. Have a good race!
Super helpful, Justin. For folks out there with longer hair, I'm wondering if you wear a pony tail and if so, any tips on getting your helmet on with a wet pony tail of hair? Thanks much.
Thanks for a really useful video!! For the bike, I see lots of people using handlebars with the elbow pads that let you sort of hunker down. Is that necessary for a bike? Is it possible to get new handlebars on a standard road bike to add that?
Love your videos Justin - thank you!!!! Anything specific gear wise for a sprint that we would need different than what you offer here? and what is your opinion of a tri suit (like Sparx) instead of a speedo and bike shorts?
Happy to help! Something that's great about the sprint distance is it's pretty hard to wrong; you're gonna see people in everything from skinsuits and $10k bikes to beach cruisers and athletic shorts. The clothes side of things is something that I should probably make a video on at some point, especially for the different distances, because it changes. For a sprint, I'd say that my order of preference would be gym shorts and a gym shirt, then bike shorts and a jersey, then a tri suit, but it's not a huuuuge deal in a sprint. If you don't already have bike shorts, I'd start with those so you can train in them and then use them on race day. With sprints, you can't really change (and you can't get nude) so your layering system has to work. Tri suits are ideal because you just don't have to think about them at all. You peel your wetsuit off (if you have one on) and then you're just good to go. For $60, that might be worth it. I wouldn't buy a tri suit unless you plan to do all your training in it or you have some other bike shorts first. Tri suits ARE useful, but they don't get a lot of use outside race day. Depending on how much money you want to spend, it may or may not be worth it. As for other things, I like elastic laces a lot. They're often marketed to make transition faster, but they're WAY better than trying to tie shoe laces with cold hands / having them come undone later on. But yeah! Sprints are great because you can get away with really being pretty light on gear and still getting a good taste for the event. As you get more competitive and/or move to longer distances, gear starts becoming more important.
I used to do running and triathlons as a kid but I haven't done proper exercise I'm like 2 years because I was so overwhelmed with gcse and a levels. I want to get back into exercise but I work best with a deadline. I've given myself 3 months to train. Do u think this is enough? I'm doing a sprint triathlon BTW I'm doing jumping completely into the deepend 😂
Thanks for all the information. I can't find the video about men's swimwear you mentioned around the 2 minute mark. What's the title of the video? Thank you in advance!
More versatile within the context of who this video was aimed for, yes. I think an ideal setup is a nice pair of bibs for most riding, and a good trisuit for raceday. But in terms of 'essentials,' shorts are 'fine' in training, and useable on race day. You *could* use bibs on race day, but especially for beginners most likely doing a sprint, maybe an Oly, it's less of a huge deal. They're a little more of a hassle to put on, and if you want to switch to running shorts on the run, harder to take off because you'd also have to take your top off. Objectively bibs are better overall, but shorts are fine for a short ride, etc. I think I might make an updated video with more "essential, nice to have, luxury" levels as well.
Thank you for the beginner tips , right now I don't have road bike or triathlon bike which one do you recommend to buy for the 1st triathlon ...and will it be ok to go for iron man or half iron man for the 1st triathlon itself
Road bike would absolutely be my pick. You wouldn't be the first to do a half or full as their first race, but my suggestion would be to get a sprint or Olympic in first, just to get a sense of what to expect.
Hey Justin, appreciate your inputs. I currently use an MTB bike. Doing my first Olympic Triathlon in the coming month. Do you think it's fine to do it with an MTB bike?
For sure! You'll expend a bit more energy and it'll be a bit slower, but absolutely doable. If you want some free speed, throw some slick / non knobby tires on it. And get as low/aero as you can. It's not optimal, but it's doable. :)
Great question! "Need?" Strictly speaking, no. But they are helpful. Most races don't require your number to be on you when you ride your bike, so a belt allows you to quickly put your number on after you finish your bike. Some also hold gels. I prefer this greatly because to me it's much more comfortable than having a number pinned to my shirt (a weird quirk of mine that I dislike.)
Thanks for the tips! Im doing my first triathlon (olympic distance at palm springs in Oct!) and Im curious if a wetsuit is actually needed and if you have any affordable suggestions? Apparently the water is pretty cold there so Im assuming it'd be nice to have. Also, are there changing areas available during the transition time, or do most people wear their cycling/running outfit under their wetsuit?
Sorry for the slow reply; just moved lol. "Needed" is a super relative term. In terms of absolutes, no, you don't "need" one. That said, an Olympic is long enough that the speed gains of a wetsuit will really start to add up (especially if you're a weaker swimmer.) They'll also provide buoyancy and and warmth, both of which make you more comfortable and more confident, which is nice. Wetsuits in cold water are basically perfect; you still get a cold shock when water fills your suit, but then it warms up and you are very comfortable; wetsuits in warm water are uncomfortably hot. Don't fall for their "75% off!!!!!!!" marketing, but Xterra makes an acceptable basic suit. I've heard their customer service has slid downhill as of late, though, unfortunately. The Zoot Wave 1 and Blueseventy Sprint are also good on the cheaper end of the 'good' spectrum. It's rare for races other than full ironman to offer changing tents; pretty much everyone wears their cycling gear under their wetsuits. That's a benefit of a dedicated tri suit, actually. The chamois is thinner and the fabric is better at releasing water.
Quick question, how do I change into running shorts after the swim after an open water swim? My first Tri is less than a month away and still unsure of how to get from the Jammer to the running shorts? Thanks!
It helps to think of your clothing as a system. If you're just doing a sprint, it's possible to wear a speedo or jammer and then just leave it on under your bike clothes, and then in t2, bibs off, running shorts on. Of course, test this in training. If you want to spend the money on a dedicated triathlon suit, it saves a step at the expense of cost. Then your tri suit is on under your wetsuit (if you wear one) and then that's all you think about. With short races, you're never allowed to be nude in public, so it takes some creative solutions.
@@JustinDoesTriathlon trying to spend as least amount of $$ as I can as this will be my first triathlon(sprint). Would you say I need to invest in some bike clothes? Or could I get away with biking in running shorts/shirt and not even need to change clothes in T2? Thanks for the reply btw!
I’m 72 with 10% body fat, and when I get out of the water, the air temp is in the 50s. I freeze on the bike unless I wear something on my top, which takes time to put on, etc. Any suggestions? (My first one would be to stop doing triathlons in December!)
Hi Marilynn! I love this question. I hope to be doing triathlon in 20 years, which is 20 years ago for you! Good for you. :) I’ve been thinking about this quite a bit and have two ideas (other than stopping your December races. ❄️ So as we age, the ability to generate heat itself drops. So your idea of putting on additional insulating layers is a good one, but if you aren’t making any heat to begin with, it’s got limited benefits. So to that end, I would focus on things that actually add heat. First off, look at chemical hand warmer packs. I’ve used ones called Hot hands before. You open them up and expose them to air, and they make heat. They don’t get super hot, but you’ll still want to make sure they are safe on your skin, so test that before race day. As long as you’re okay with the temp, then putting them in your top (especially near your heart) would be my move. The second option would be a nice warm drink to take right out of the water. If you get an insulated water bottle (like a hydro flask) you could put a warm drink (I’d do chicken broth) and then drink it right when you get out of the water. That’ll quickly add a ton of heat to you and raise your core temp. I hope that helps!
Great and thoughtful suggestions!!! You’re right - I don’t generate much heat at this age, even following you guys in your Speedo suits! LoL. I have used the hand warmers while camping, so I have some available. I can also stuff them in my tri suit! I also have a hydro flask and using it for hot chicken broth is brilliant!! Thanks for such a GREAT answer!
I finished my Tri yesterday and here’s feedback for you. First of all, a HUGE THANK YOU for your suggestions! It was 43 degrees with a relentless 25 mph wind - on all the uphill parts of the course. I drank the chicken broth just to keep warm before the race started. I wore hair scrunchies on my wrists and shoved the Hot Hands pack under those. I wrapped the larger one (about the size of two hand warmers) in a washcloth and put it in the front of my Tri suit. (I tried it the day before in a nylon sack and it left a big red mark from the heat. The washcloth seemed to work well.) When I got to the run, I slid the hand packs down into the palm of my hand, which kept my fingers warm for the duration. I did wear a wool top and nylon windbreaker. My head was cold and wet - wish I had put the hood on and then my helmet. Your tips were lifesavers for me. Again, my heartfelt thanks!
Good question. No reason not to really. I just wanted to keep this video "essential" gear and a tri suit is optional if you're just getting into it. That said, they're the ideal move, especially for sprints up to about Oly distance. If you want to get one, rock it! 👍
you lost me at the clothing bit. I'd say a tri suit, even the most basic one, is way better than any combinations you mention. Especially not sure about your suggestion of bike shorts...like what do you suggest: to wear them on top of your swimsuit? That's just asking for troubles. So, for race day you can either buy swimsuit, bike shorts, tshirt and running shorts and be slow and uncomfortable. Or you can buy one single item, a trisuit, and do the whole event in it.
@@JustinDoesTriathlon 😂 pretty sure no one saw it coming. Thinking of trying a sprint triathalon next summer and binging your videos has been super informative 👍
Oh, and the Vulcan looks great! I've got a family member who had one and loved it. Before March, I was kicking around the idea of getting a Versys 650, Z650, or Honda CB650R; every time I see a bike I start thinking about it again (but it's rainy winter now here anyway, sadly.)
Thank you for the emphasis that I don't need expensive gear for my first race! Was starting to get overwhelmed by the costs!
Happy to help! It's a tough one, because gear is *required* for this sport, but it's also really easy for people to get deep into the rabbit hole and for people to start acting like you 'need' all this gear. It's just swimming biking and running. Dave Scott and all those Ironman classics were doing 8 and 9hr full ironmans with gear that a lot of people would turn their noses up today, which is just silly. If you've got the cash, sure, some nicer gear makes it more enjoyable, but no need to get deep until you're ready. :)
1. Good tight swimwear (speedo endurance +)
2. Good goggles (speedo vanquishers)
3. Clothing for bike & run.
4. Decent Bike
5. Helmet & Gloves
6. Flat repair kit
7. Running shoes
8. 2 towels
Large bright towel (finding stuff)
Microfiber towel
9. Foam roller
“Things you don’t really need”
• Pool accessories
• GPS running watch
• Don’t overthink it. Just swim, bike, run.
Thanks for the video
This video is soooo encouraging! I’m a distance runner, it’s the love of my life haha, but recently began swim training so that I could start doing triathlons. I fell in love with swimming and now I’m facing the bike portion...it has intimidated me because I feel clueless about bikes and figured I needed a fancy one ...knowing I can use a basic bike is such a relief! I’ve always sort of felt like, I just want the basics, and put me at the start line and let me go lol, this video validates that!!!
Heyo, I'm so happy to hear that! I have three more videos that I'd suggest for you! "How to buy a triathlon bike," "Sprint Triathlon tips," and my latest popular video, "5 things people aren't telling you about bike buying." All of those are going to cover slightly different angles, but the super super short version is: Seriously just show up with whatever bike you can, and it'll be fine. If you can make a drop bar road bike happen, that's going to get you let's say... 85% of the gains possible. The rest is details. As a runner, you're going to see massive gains come on the bike with just a little bit of work. You've got the aerobic engine, so now it's just about transferring that base awerobic fitness to being utilized in a new way. Of course, all fitness is beneficial when starting something new, but being a strong runner can make cycling come pretty quickly. I haven't found the reverse as much, because running has so many other factors (like overuse injuries when starting too quickly, etc.) So short version, don't stress! :)
@@JustinDoesTriathlon I appreciate this info SO MUCH!!! I’m watching and liking all your videos and am a happy subscriber. Being a long distance runner, I know how much of any sport happens in your mind first, and your advice/info shifts my mentality to a place of feeling so ready and encouraged! Just hit 3 miles in open water this weekend and of course marathon distance running is my forte, going to grab a cool road bike and just start riding!!!!
That's so awesome, happy to help at all! You're gonna be a rocket. 3 miles OWS is just about tied with as far as I've ever gone, that's for sure. Tri is interesting, because I simultaneously *totally* get why people get intimidated by combining all three, and I sure did, but at the same time, if you can refocus it to just 'going for a swim, then a bike ride, then a run,' and you're comfortable with all three of those, then it doesn't have to be scary. I hope you really enjoy the bike. Really all three sports have their awesome aspects. I personally think cycling is my pick just because when you're really dialed and strong on a bike, you can go drop 50 or 80 miles and really just SEE so much. It's a great way to spend a few hours.
@@JustinDoesTriathlon it’s so cool to chat with a fellow tri enthusiast, or even someone who’s in to to these things at all, and for you to appreciate each sport and the joy of all three in their own way. I truly bore the people in my life with it haha...yes exactly that’s totally how I see it, I segment it into its own thing even though it’s consecutive and within the same race. And since running is my love, I just know that once the swim and bike of the Ironman is behind me, even on mile 1 of the marathon I’ll feel like I can consider it accomplished! At that point it’s just forward movement until I cross the finish!
@@heidiwood3142 Oh I am always down to nerd out about all the little things. I think you'll find people in this sport are VERY good at that. 🤣
I’m goona go for my first sprint, great video thxs a lot!
Thank you Justin for the simplistic approach! It's great to have a well-educated mentor. At 57, I'm looking to participate in my first sprint tri later this year. I can definitely get pulled into the gear head mentality. The KISS principal is what I need.😂
This is so crazy, helpful! I really love watching these. I feel so much more relaxed about my first trialthon coming up soon
Your message reaches Phnom Penh Cambodia. Thank you for the advice sir. Training for & trying to find my first mini
As I am preparing for a few sprints and possibly an Olympic this year I have been watching countless videos in the background at work and this is the FIRST one that had an honest opinion about a bike. I have been extremely overwhelemd by the thousand+ dollar bikes that I believe scare people away from cycling and sometimes in turn triathlons. I personally did not own a bike (and is by far the leg i struggle with) so I went and got a cheap Vilano R2 that weighs way too much, awkward to maneuver, and does not have integrated shifters, but hey, it gets the job done and it is the right size. I have decided if I like the sport and want to continue this is my biggest area of gear to upgraede. I think jumping from a $2/3000 bike to a $6/700 bike would be a big jump in easily relatable performance but I imagine like my beginners, I am cautious to jump in and pull out my wallet. I do admit, I have started googling bike rentals for race day as 16lb bike seems a lot more appealing than a 27lb bike.
Happy to help! Funny you point that out... I've started writing and scrapped probably 5 videos that would basically be titled like... "Everyone buys tri bikes wrong." It's a tricky subject, and there's a lot of opinion and perspective and shifting goals that all come into what sort of bike you need. Bluntly, I would say that a LOT of triathletes are spending huge money on stuff that doesn't really matter. You go to any race, you'll have people on $5000 bikes with $2500 Zipps pulling a 16.5mph average on an Oly course. But even then, I'm not here to gatekeep; if you have the money and it makes you happy, rock on. Sometimes I think like, "Well a SUPERBIKE still costs less money than buying an optioned out Camry over a Corolla, so hey, live your life."
I completely agree though, I think it can be very intimidating and (in some ways) embarrassing to be on a ‘low end’ bike. I did my first season of tris on a Trek 2.1 (which is a PERFECTLY fine entry level road bike) and I totally remember feeling that I wasn’t as cool as the people on the ‘real bikes.’ But if we’re honest, the vast majority of speed gains come from the aerobars; your body is 90%+ of the total system drag anyway. Even a 30lb bike vs a 16lb bike doesn’t matter on a flat course once you’re up to speed. Plus add in body weight, and we’re talking total system weight of 205 vs 220. So it’s tough, because like… Bikes do make a difference, and there’s a lot of intangibles too. It feels good riding a better bike, and even if the clock won’t show it, the experience is often nicer. I ended up getting a dedicated tri bike because I wanted the dual fits moreso than the time gains. I arguably have a super bike, but I actually bought it used for FAR less than retail (and barely more than something like a Felt B14new.) Even then, if I did it over again, I’d just buy a B14 and call it a day. The big big big majority of us are not missing out on podium slots due to the bike. I always remember back in college, by FAR the fastest guy (on the flats) that I knew was on an 80s/90s aluminum Panasonic with DT shifters. Dave Scott pulled WILDLY fast times on bikes that a lot of people would laugh at today. Gear matters, but it’s really about the engine. Have some great races! 👍
Thanks for the beginner tips. I'm a bit of a gear junkie, so its good to know I won't "need" too much just to do my first sprint race.
Absolutely, happy to help. I've actually got a vid coming out soon kinda recapping mistakes I made through triathlon // before Ironman, and spoiler, one of them is gear related. Basically: obviously there's stuff you *need*, but I kinda cringe watching a lot of the videos I see on UA-cam talking like you NEED a $350 running watch, you NEED this and that, and honestly it's just a bunch of BS. Of course, there's definitely stuff that'll improve your experience, but seriously don't stress about stuff claiming to make you go faster. *Especially* on a sprint, it really isn't a big deal. By far the fastest cyclist on my college team was a guy on a late 80s/early 90s Panasonic. The bike would be laughed at by internet forums, but the dude was a beast on it. That's what matters. 👍
I have used nothing but the vanquishers, mirror tinted, since I was 13! The best
What a fabulous video. Not only did it answer some question but you made it feel more doable. Looking forward to watching this again before my first race Thank you.
Happy to help! So much about triathlon is just needlessly intimidating, and I think accidently re-enforced by triathletes who like showing off the fun new gear they get. Nothing wrong with gear (and I have more than my fair share of it too), but there's something to be said for just showing up to a race with the bare necessities and just doing some work. Heck, look at Dave Scott in the 1980s triathlons: Dude was putting down sub9hr ironmans with bikes that a lot of people would sneer at today. Fitness beats everything else. Hope you have a great race! :D
Not done a tri ...Yet but planning on doing a sprint or two this year, Your vids are so very helpful ,Massive Thank you for taking the time out to help others Justin.
You can do it! Happy to help. Feel free to drop a comment if you ever have any questions. :)
Thanks a lot for this video Justin. It really gave me some peace about what kind of equipment I've got to buy for my first olympic triathlon.
Happy to hear that. :)
Thank you, I've been running for 2.5 years and was thinking about progressing to triathlon at some point. I don't currently have a bike but good to know a cheapish road bike will be sufficient.
Thank you so much for putting this video together … super informative
I really appreciate your videos, especially the beginner ones. I'm just glad my wife didn't hear the part about not needing another bike. 🤫😉 You have really helped my confidence in prepping for the sport and I thank you. 🙏
Attention Gerwe's wife: I was wrong. He does need a new bike!
Thanks bro. Great video
Hi Justin, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the tip. When i started out I saw everything new and shiny and wanted to buy it until I saw this video/ Thanks for saving be a bunch of money. I completed my first triathlon earlier this year and it was a success, wet success but still a success, rain is not a friend to the triathlete and their gear.
I'm all about people not spending a bunch of money to get going. Like hey, if you've got the cash and want to, go for it. But I once saw a video that included a GPS watch as a beginner 'essential' and it's like... Come on, that's objectively not essential, haha. Great job on the first one! I subbed to your channel; looking forward to seeing it! And agree, rain is frustrating to say the least. :(
@@JustinDoesTriathlon Thank you a lot, I appreciate it. Hopefully some day I can be as fun and informative as your page.
I find the larger goggles are way more comfy such as the Arena X-Sight. Don't worry about the judgement cause they are so comfy. I cant do those other tiny goggles.
Thanks Justin. I’m doing my first sprint triathlon in 8 weeks and I’m a bit nervous of the cycle and run legs as the swim I find easy. It was encouraging to hear just enjoy it and don’t stress! I have a $30 tri suit which I will wear for all legs but so you wear a cycle jersey or T-shirt over the top for the cycle and run legs? Also do I wear socks in my cycle shoes?
Hi Heather! Sorry, I saw this and meant to reply when I got to my computer and then definitely just didn't. Yeah, relaxing goes a long way. :) You *can* wear a jersey or shirt over the tri suit if it makes you more comfortable, but you definitely don't have to. Arguably one of the best perks of the tri suit is that it sort of takes the elements of 'clothing' out of race. Put it on and then you can put a wetsuit on over it if you want to, and then yes, you can just get out of the water and carry on with your race. As for socks, I generally vote yes, especially on your first race. Scrunching them is a good way to get them on over wet feet. As you improve and get faster and want to tighten your transitions up you can consider going sockless, and some definitely do, but of course try it in training first. Blisters are no fun for anyone!
Super helpful! Thank you!
Happy to help, good luck with your race!
Thank you, Justin! Your video's are very informtive. I just signed up for my first duathlon and it's in a month! I have running experience but not so much biking. Would you suggest I need to have clip-in shoes for my first race? I will be purchasing a bike here soon.
Happy to help! As for clip-in pedals.... I lean no for now. Clip pedals aren't super hard to learn, but if you're new-ish to biking in general, and you're already nervous about your first race, that sounds to me like unnecessary added stress. That said, it really only takes a couple days to get used to them. I do think you should eventually get them. You could get a pair of pedals+shoes now, try it out, and if it's added stress, then just go back to flats for the race. You want your pedals to be a non issue on race day. :) Do clips long enough and you'd never want to ride without them.
Baby shampoo is also a really good defogger.
It is!
Don't remember if said already,, I think sun glasses k cup are must running @! and also testing everything in training before any event...nutrition included
I’m doing my first Sprint triathlon at the end of this month and I bought a tri suit and wondering if it is recommended to wear it for the swim as well? Thanks for any advice!
I'm also doing my first sprint this week and yes, if you've got a proper tri suit then it's made to be worn from start of the swim to end of the run. I don't need a wetsuit for my swim so the only gear I'll be swapping out are shoes and helmet in transitions. Have a great race!
Yep, what @Rebekka Augustine said is correct. You can definitely just wear the tri suit. If you want to be a little fancier, you can buy either a wetsuit or swimskin. Wetsuits add bouyancy and insulation. Swim skins are for when the water is too warm for a suit. They don't provide any insulation or bouyancy, but are a slick, tight suit that goes over your tri suit to minimize drag. Look up the race vids from previous years and see what most people do. Wetsuits can be nice, but definitely aren't required (especially if you're in a warm water area.) But yes, short answer: you can definitely just use your tri suit. Have a good race!
Super helpful, Justin. For folks out there with longer hair, I'm wondering if you wear a pony tail and if so, any tips on getting your helmet on with a wet pony tail of hair? Thanks much.
(Obviously) Not my expert area, ha, but I've seen a lot of women with double braids!
@@JustinDoesTriathlon Thanks Justin!
Thanks for a really useful video!! For the bike, I see lots of people using handlebars with the elbow pads that let you sort of hunker down. Is that necessary for a bike? Is it possible to get new handlebars on a standard road bike to add that?
Love your videos Justin - thank you!!!! Anything specific gear wise for a sprint that we would need different than what you offer here? and what is your opinion of a tri suit (like Sparx) instead of a speedo and bike shorts?
Happy to help! Something that's great about the sprint distance is it's pretty hard to wrong; you're gonna see people in everything from skinsuits and $10k bikes to beach cruisers and athletic shorts. The clothes side of things is something that I should probably make a video on at some point, especially for the different distances, because it changes. For a sprint, I'd say that my order of preference would be gym shorts and a gym shirt, then bike shorts and a jersey, then a tri suit, but it's not a huuuuge deal in a sprint. If you don't already have bike shorts, I'd start with those so you can train in them and then use them on race day. With sprints, you can't really change (and you can't get nude) so your layering system has to work. Tri suits are ideal because you just don't have to think about them at all. You peel your wetsuit off (if you have one on) and then you're just good to go. For $60, that might be worth it. I wouldn't buy a tri suit unless you plan to do all your training in it or you have some other bike shorts first. Tri suits ARE useful, but they don't get a lot of use outside race day. Depending on how much money you want to spend, it may or may not be worth it. As for other things, I like elastic laces a lot. They're often marketed to make transition faster, but they're WAY better than trying to tie shoe laces with cold hands / having them come undone later on. But yeah! Sprints are great because you can get away with really being pretty light on gear and still getting a good taste for the event. As you get more competitive and/or move to longer distances, gear starts becoming more important.
@@JustinDoesTriathlon Thanks!!!!!!
I used to do running and triathlons as a kid but I haven't done proper exercise I'm like 2 years because I was so overwhelmed with gcse and a levels. I want to get back into exercise but I work best with a deadline. I've given myself 3 months to train. Do u think this is enough?
I'm doing a sprint triathlon BTW I'm doing jumping completely into the deepend 😂
If I buy a tri suit do I wear it for all three parts of the race?
Yep! That's arguably one of the biggest advantages: it removes having to 'deal with" clothes at any point.
Thanks for all the information. I can't find the video about men's swimwear you mentioned around the 2 minute mark. What's the title of the video? Thank you in advance!
I have a mountain bike, any tips?
Why cycling shorts over bibs? Just because they're more versatile? Less expensive? I'm curious about your thoughts on the pros and cons.
More versatile within the context of who this video was aimed for, yes. I think an ideal setup is a nice pair of bibs for most riding, and a good trisuit for raceday. But in terms of 'essentials,' shorts are 'fine' in training, and useable on race day. You *could* use bibs on race day, but especially for beginners most likely doing a sprint, maybe an Oly, it's less of a huge deal. They're a little more of a hassle to put on, and if you want to switch to running shorts on the run, harder to take off because you'd also have to take your top off. Objectively bibs are better overall, but shorts are fine for a short ride, etc. I think I might make an updated video with more "essential, nice to have, luxury" levels as well.
@@JustinDoesTriathlon Thanks, that’s helpful.I just learned how to ride a bike so I’m BRAND NEW and I’m going to need some basic gear.
Thank you for the beginner tips , right now I don't have road bike or triathlon bike which one do you recommend to buy for the 1st triathlon ...and will it be ok to go for iron man or half iron man for the 1st triathlon itself
Road bike would absolutely be my pick. You wouldn't be the first to do a half or full as their first race, but my suggestion would be to get a sprint or Olympic in first, just to get a sense of what to expect.
Hey Justin, appreciate your inputs. I currently use an MTB bike. Doing my first Olympic Triathlon in the coming month. Do you think it's fine to do it with an MTB bike?
For sure! You'll expend a bit more energy and it'll be a bit slower, but absolutely doable. If you want some free speed, throw some slick / non knobby tires on it. And get as low/aero as you can. It's not optimal, but it's doable. :)
do you need a race belt for your number in the run?
Great question! "Need?" Strictly speaking, no. But they are helpful. Most races don't require your number to be on you when you ride your bike, so a belt allows you to quickly put your number on after you finish your bike. Some also hold gels. I prefer this greatly because to me it's much more comfortable than having a number pinned to my shirt (a weird quirk of mine that I dislike.)
Thanks for the tips! Im doing my first triathlon (olympic distance at palm springs in Oct!) and Im curious if a wetsuit is actually needed and if you have any affordable suggestions? Apparently the water is pretty cold there so Im assuming it'd be nice to have. Also, are there changing areas available during the transition time, or do most people wear their cycling/running outfit under their wetsuit?
Sorry for the slow reply; just moved lol. "Needed" is a super relative term. In terms of absolutes, no, you don't "need" one. That said, an Olympic is long enough that the speed gains of a wetsuit will really start to add up (especially if you're a weaker swimmer.) They'll also provide buoyancy and and warmth, both of which make you more comfortable and more confident, which is nice. Wetsuits in cold water are basically perfect; you still get a cold shock when water fills your suit, but then it warms up and you are very comfortable; wetsuits in warm water are uncomfortably hot.
Don't fall for their "75% off!!!!!!!" marketing, but Xterra makes an acceptable basic suit. I've heard their customer service has slid downhill as of late, though, unfortunately. The Zoot Wave 1 and Blueseventy Sprint are also good on the cheaper end of the 'good' spectrum.
It's rare for races other than full ironman to offer changing tents; pretty much everyone wears their cycling gear under their wetsuits. That's a benefit of a dedicated tri suit, actually. The chamois is thinner and the fabric is better at releasing water.
Quick question, how do I change into running shorts after the swim after an open water swim? My first Tri is less than a month away and still unsure of how to get from the Jammer to the running shorts?
Thanks!
It helps to think of your clothing as a system. If you're just doing a sprint, it's possible to wear a speedo or jammer and then just leave it on under your bike clothes, and then in t2, bibs off, running shorts on. Of course, test this in training. If you want to spend the money on a dedicated triathlon suit, it saves a step at the expense of cost. Then your tri suit is on under your wetsuit (if you wear one) and then that's all you think about. With short races, you're never allowed to be nude in public, so it takes some creative solutions.
@@JustinDoesTriathlon trying to spend as least amount of $$ as I can as this will be my first triathlon(sprint). Would you say I need to invest in some bike clothes? Or could I get away with biking in running shorts/shirt and not even need to change clothes in T2?
Thanks for the reply btw!
I’m 72 with 10% body fat, and when I get out of the water, the air temp is in the 50s. I freeze on the bike unless I wear something on my top, which takes time to put on, etc. Any suggestions? (My first one would be to stop doing triathlons in December!)
Hi Marilynn! I love this question. I hope to be doing triathlon in 20 years, which is 20 years ago for you! Good for you. :) I’ve been thinking about this quite a bit and have two ideas (other than stopping your December races. ❄️ So as we age, the ability to generate heat itself drops. So your idea of putting on additional insulating layers is a good one, but if you aren’t making any heat to begin with, it’s got limited benefits. So to that end, I would focus on things that actually add heat. First off, look at chemical hand warmer packs. I’ve used ones called Hot hands before. You open them up and expose them to air, and they make heat. They don’t get super hot, but you’ll still want to make sure they are safe on your skin, so test that before race day. As long as you’re okay with the temp, then putting them in your top (especially near your heart) would be my move. The second option would be a nice warm drink to take right out of the water. If you get an insulated water bottle (like a hydro flask) you could put a warm drink (I’d do chicken broth) and then drink it right when you get out of the water. That’ll quickly add a ton of heat to you and raise your core temp. I hope that helps!
Great and thoughtful suggestions!!! You’re right - I don’t generate much heat at this age, even following you guys in your Speedo suits! LoL. I have used the hand warmers while camping, so I have some available. I can also stuff them in my tri suit! I also have a hydro flask and using it for hot chicken broth is brilliant!! Thanks for such a GREAT answer!
I finished my Tri yesterday and here’s feedback for you. First of all, a HUGE THANK YOU for your suggestions! It was 43 degrees with a relentless 25 mph wind - on all the uphill parts of the course. I drank the chicken broth just to keep warm before the race started. I wore hair scrunchies on my wrists and shoved the Hot Hands pack under those. I wrapped the larger one (about the size of two hand warmers) in a washcloth and put it in the front of my Tri suit. (I tried it the day before in a nylon sack and it left a big red mark from the heat. The washcloth seemed to work well.) When I got to the run, I slid the hand packs down into the palm of my hand, which kept my fingers warm for the duration. I did wear a wool top and nylon windbreaker. My head was cold and wet - wish I had put the hood on and then my helmet. Your tips were lifesavers for me. Again, my heartfelt thanks!
PS I placed second in my age category and “took the podium!”
For clothing why not just wear the trip suit?
Good question. No reason not to really. I just wanted to keep this video "essential" gear and a tri suit is optional if you're just getting into it. That said, they're the ideal move, especially for sprints up to about Oly distance. If you want to get one, rock it! 👍
I like my 2XU one piece quite a lot
just buy a tri suit from orca vary chepe and they are vary good
Subscribed
you lost me at the clothing bit. I'd say a tri suit, even the most basic one, is way better than any combinations you mention. Especially not sure about your suggestion of bike shorts...like what do you suggest: to wear them on top of your swimsuit? That's just asking for troubles. So, for race day you can either buy swimsuit, bike shorts, tshirt and running shorts and be slow and uncomfortable. Or you can buy one single item, a trisuit, and do the whole event in it.
In a world of covid paranoia not sure the auction test would be approved by stores lol
Nope that aged poorly
@@JustinDoesTriathlon 😂 pretty sure no one saw it coming. Thinking of trying a sprint triathalon next summer and binging your videos has been super informative 👍
@@Dadoutdoors24 That's awesome! Happy to hear that. :)
Oh, and the Vulcan looks great! I've got a family member who had one and loved it. Before March, I was kicking around the idea of getting a Versys 650, Z650, or Honda CB650R; every time I see a bike I start thinking about it again (but it's rainy winter now here anyway, sadly.)
@@JustinDoesTriathlon best purchase you can make! Now is the best time because no one buys bikes in the winter
You are describing what we need but you are assuming we know what you talking about.