For the new cyclist or triathlete high-end bikes and parts present an intimidating cost barrier. How can you get past the marketing hype to what really matters? This presentation will look at intelligent equipment choices and basic cycling training strategies that will save you money.

1. Biking Faster on a Budget!
Chris Sweet
USAT Certified Coach
Professional Triathlete

2. My Background
 20+ years of triathlon racing
 More than that of competitive swimming and
running
 Collegiate runner/swimmer at Augustana
College
 USAT Certified Coach
 100+ races
 Professional triathlete (as of last fall!)
 All types of bike races
 Library faculty at IWU= evidence driven

3. So how can you bike faster on a
budget?
 Stop looking at $^#&$&*# bike stuff and bad
advice on the internet and go train!
 Don’t worry I’ve got some other ideas as
well……

4. Starting cheap and simple is
fine!
Sweet Bros. circa1995!

5. It’s not about the bike.
 Focus on maximizing your training before
buying new equipment.
 Ride lots
 Ride with people faster than you
 Don’t wait for good weather to ride (but
don’t be stupid about it, either)
 Don’t primarily rely on spin classes
 Always ride with a purpose / follow a
training plan

6. It’s not about the bike.
 Train your weakness: weak sport, but also weak
cycling aspect (endurance vs. strength/force)
 Buy a HR Monitor and/or Power meter (and learn
how to use it). HR Monitors cost $25-$100. A
used Powertap costs between $200 and $1000.
 Buy a bike trainer
 Magnetic resistance is the best value
 Spend your money on race entry fees instead of
new bike widgets and doodads.
 Educate yourself (and use the library!)
 “Triathlete’s Training Bible” Joe Friel
 “Cutting-Edge Cycling: Advanced training for
advanced cyclists” Hunter Allen and Stephen Cheung
 “Time-Crunched Triathlete” Chris Charmichael

7. A few no-brainers
 Get your tire pressure right
Zipp.com tire pressure recommendations

8. A Few No-Brainers
 Spend the money to buy one set of good winter
cycling clothing.
 Get at least a basic fit from a knowledgeable fitter.
Spending money on a fit is a good investment.
 Learn basic bike maintenance. This will save you
money in the long run and possibly salvage a
race. Also makes a used bike a good choice.
 Keep your drivetrain clean…at least before a race
 Use caffeine before and during races. It has been
demonstrated to improve performance over and
over again. It’s also cheap.

9. Save $$$ on Nutrition Products

10. Equipment: Myth of light bikes

11. Equipment: Myth of Light Bikes
 The implication is a bitter pill, though. If you want
to reduce the power requirement by 1
percent, you have to reduce the total mass that’s
moving up the hill by 1 percent. And because
you’re moving both your body and the bike up the
hill, a measly 1 percent equates to a whole lot of
grams before you see returns on your carbon
investment! The previous example also does not
take into account the ADVANTAGE of the heavier
bike on any descents.
 Jim Gourley: “Faster: Demystifying the science of
triathlon speed”

12. Who is Ondrej Sosenka?
 1 hour UCI world record holder: 30.9 mph
 He intentionally used an 8lb wheelset. Why?
 Once a heavier wheel (or object) is brought up
to speed, it is easier to keep it there.

13. Equipment: Myth of Fast Riders
and Aero Gear
Distance traveled in 1 hour with aero improvements.

14. Equipment: Myth of Fast Riders
and Aero Gear
Usually we race a fixed distance, not a fixed time. So let's look at the SAME
graph, but let's compute how long it takes to ride a 20k TT distance. The
slower rider saves more time! The reason is that the rider saves less per
second, but is on the course for more seconds so saves more time overall.
(Cervelo.com)

15. Equipment
 Best thing about buying a new bike or
component = riding more
 What type of bike? Road vs. Tri
 Go with older drivetrains to save $$$
 Aero bars
 Big time savings over upright road position, but
get properly fitted
 Race wheels are expensive, but Tri-Shark
members can rent one of the club Zipp race
wheel sets for their big event!

16. Equipment
 Aero helmets
 If you need a new helmet consider an aero road
helmet (normal shape). It will work well for both
training and racing. No cheap options though.
 Or, buy a cheap training helmet and a nicer aero
helmet (Giro Advantage 2 and Louis Garneau
Super Leggera are high-value choices)
 Where to put bottles?
 Between the arms for short course racing and
both between the arms and behind the saddle for
long course.

17. Equipment: Wheelcovers
This is some amazing data! What happens at around 18 degrees of yaw? A
Zipp Sub9 disc retails for $2000. A wheelbuilder aerojacket fits over most
wheels and costs $98.

18. Race tires?
 The difference in rolling resistance between a
heavy-duty training tire and a race tire can be
quite substantial.
 But there is always a trade-off in durability/flat
protection.
 Two good race tire options are: Continental GP
4000 or Vittoria Corsa CX
 One solution can be a cheap training wheelset
with heavy-duty tires and a separate race-day
wheelset.

19. Budget-Savvy upgrading
To get the most bang for your buck, I recommend
equipment upgrades in the following order:
1. Clipless pedals
2. HR Monitor
3. Aerobars (if you don’t have them)
4. Aero helmet
5. Wheelcover
6. Aero water bottle (Between the arms style or Torhans)
7. Power meter
8. Race tires, but……
9. Front race wheel
10. Aero frame

20. Questions!?