triathlete wall

Kestel has been on the triathlon seen for many many years already and you may find it odd to see something missing from this bike. No we did not photoshop the seat tube out but this is the signature design from Kestrel. This brand defiently has been building a brand for itself especially with triathletes such as Andy Potts and Cameron Dye riding for them. The Kestrel Airfoil Pro SL may not be as stiff as some other bikes out there especially when it comes to climbing hills but in the aero position you can see how one less seat tube would reduce drag. Theres’s also a unique smootheness in this bike that comes from the reduce vibrations from the seat as the seat tube is not existent. What we like about this bike is that it’s in an affordable range.

Tri gear and add up so quickly especially when you are new to the sport and just trying to get off the ground. It’s a bit sad when I see many age groupers enter a tri still riding with flat pedals. Maybe it’s fear of being locked in or it could be the sticker shock of buying a bike and now having to fork over another $200+ for pedals? The Mavic Sprint I beleive is a great product for rookies who don’t want to spend a great deal of money while at the same time reap the benefits of being clipped in. They are a heavier set compared to most pedals out there but they offer a wide platform for beginners to feel comfortable stepping in. The pedals you can adjust the tension and the bearings are sealed. Did I also mention they are only $99?

You have a fancy $3000 bike and you are still doing the pinch test on your tires. Don’t get me wrong there’s nothing wrong with the pinch test but you need to invest in a pump that will give you the exact tire pressure reading. The Topeak JoeBlow Pro takes the guess work out of inflating your tires so that every time you take that rig out that it’s going to be consistent and possibly prevent a flat from over or under inflating.

So many triathletes these days are traveling to far out destinations in search of their next exotic tri event. Although one of the main concerns for many of us is how do we travel with our bike and have it arrive safely. The Thule 699 Round Trip Bike Case does the trick and far safer then putting your bike into a cardbord box. This case is a hard shell case with foam padding on the inside that can take the abuse of the airlines. It’ll be a roadie or a tri bike and enough room for you to throw in your tools, clothes,and accessories. The Round Trip is worth the investment for your bike for all you traveling triathletes.

Giro has just released yesterday a new helmet to basically a new category in helmets. You can think of the Giro Air Attack a cross between a regular road helmet but with aero features or vice versa. Just like bike manufacturers that have come out with aero road bikes in recent years it appears Giro is creating a new trend in the helmet industry. Giro claims that in wind tunnel testing, the Air Attack was 12 percent faster than its Aeon, and 12 percent slower than its Selector TT helmet. It’s more ventilated then a TT helmet but less ventilated than a road helmet. Sounds like a middle of the line for those who can’t decide but a great move by Giro.

Finding the right saddle is often times very difficult especially with the aggressive triathlon angles. The Cobb Max saddle comes in both Black and White, was developed by John Cobb for maximum rider comfort for both Triathlon riding and road riding. The lowered nose section combined with the deep cut pressure trough will relieve pressure in the prostate/perinea area for men and the soft tissue area for women.

These have been out there for some time now but these are so good. The next time you are on your tri bike put some thought in how much effort it takes for you to move that shift lever and then come back to this post. The Zipp Vuka R2C makes it’s easier and more comfortable to shift in the aero postion. The key selling point with this product is the ability for the shifters to return-to-Center which keeps every shift at your fingertips. A click up or a click down the shifters will always return to center. Plus they look great as well. You can order these for Shimano as well as SRAM.

When it comes to the phrase “you get what you pay for” it holds very true when it comes to bikes tires. We have probably all used cheap tires only to encounter flats or a ride that is not comfortable all. The Continental Grand Prix 4000 S is a great all around tire and used by many triathletes as their go to tires for training and race day. The new Black Chili Compound used in these tires allows for rolling resistance to be reduced by 26%, grip increased by 30% and mileage is increased by 5%.

The excitement of getting aero wheels are always sky high. You rush out to your local bike shop to get rim tape, tubes, and tires only to find out when you get home that you can’t pump up your tires. The valve is not long enough for your deep dish rims! Most bike shops will have the standard inner tubes and maybe some will have inner tubes with 60mm and maybe if you are lucky 80mm. Even that is not long enough for 50mm – 80mm rims. So that’s where SRAM Valve Extension comes into play by simply screwing onto the existing valve to allow you to pump up your tires.

To road or to tri? That is the question that many beginner triathletes ask themselves. My answer to that is of course it depends. Those who already have road bikes and looking to just get into the sport it’s often times best to use some “clip-on” aero bars such as these Profile Design Carbon Stryke without breaking the bank. These aero bars are solid, sexy, and easy to setup. Some of your buddies will think that your bike is a tri bike when you roll up at the next meetup. These are full carbon aero bars with the ability to route internal cables. Cheat the wind by tucking into a more aero position.