We all know that Triathletes (on average...not everyone)  spend a good bit of coin on gear.     However, at the end of the day, it's the BIKE where it makes the biggest difference.

I view the swim and run as a pretty even playing field.    There are differences in quality of wet suits...but as long as it fits right....not going to be a massive time impact.    Same thing in running.

But biking....that is much different.    The thing I LOVED about my last Tri was it was my first time passing bikes that were 3K-6K  MORE expensive than mine.    

If you are like me then you enjoy analyzing your placement vs. your age division in the different elements and transitions.....and you enjoy trying to improve on your PR in previous races.     You set goals and you work hard.

One thing I wish they would do with races is that when you "ENTER"  have you identify what your RIDE is for the bike........and then when they POST results you can see what bikes beat you.   

FOR instance my last Tri....I was somewhere around 28th out of 66 in my age division on bike.    I don't have a TT or Tri bike...........so I would enjoy knowing how I ranked vs. others with like equipment.

 

I liked much of your post......I just want to clarify one little thing.

 

It's your TRAINING that makes the biggest difference.

So true, during the bike part of the last tri that I did back in August, me (old road bike w/clips) and another guy (nice fancy tri bike) were changing leads back and forth and then towards the end we both got passed by a guy on an even older road bike and sneakers no clips, we both just looked at each and laughed. 

As for bike, I'm going to start looking for a tri bike. Pretty excited, but dont wanna spend more than $2000. Hoping to get a mid level bike, like most, I can't justify spending 9000 on a bike. Hoping to get a good tax return this year

If money could buy significant speed Bill Gates would of won the Tour de France.  Expensive bikes are overrated.  The difference in time for a $1500 bike and $9k bike is only a couple seconds per 10 miles.  If you are riding around on a full suspension mountain bike with knobby tires you might want to consider getting a road bike.  Otherwise use the money you would of spent on a $9k bike and get a baby sitter so you can train more.  

Absolutely!

Thanks for the laugh Andy.....

A wet suit in a sprint distance isn't going to gain you anything. Like someone said, what ever time gained is lost in transition.......except when the swim is greater than 1000 meters.....ie, an Olympic, half or full IM. Here the wetsuit can be quite advantageous.

As far as price on a wetsuit.....there are Major major quality differences. The material and the way they are built.....still, the difference between a $300 and $1000 is probably minimal.

Bikes......It's been proven over and over again that your mid-priced bike is the best bang for the buck.  I have one bike outfitted with 105's and another outfitted with Dura Ace. While the Dura Ace shifting is smooth and quick I can not say that one bike is faster than the other but one did cost $1500 more.

As far as training goes.....it's a Triathlon. You have to train for the whole thing.

I would completely disagree that Running and Swimming are equal playing fields.....at least in the Tri's I do. If your mentality is "I'll make it up on the bike".......then what do you do with that guy who has the swimming down and shifts his focus to improving his bike......Are you going to catch him on the run now?

<Rant ON> Andy knows my position on equipment. When I was doing Tri's 15 or more years ago equipment didn't matter. The races were more social and it was more about the lifestyle. I took a 10 year or more hiatis from Triathlon to come back to a sport that is now heavily focused on gear and in my opinion has priced itself out of the "everyman" market......which is really where it has its roots in my opinion. <Rant Off>

Riding a road bike vs. a tri specific bike can make a big difference  

That's right.  At a minimum you should consider a set of aerobars, if you are riding a road bike with standard road bars.  That will make a significant difference and shouldn't cost too much. 

As have been discussed, a true TT or tri bike will make you faster.  Even an entry level tri bike.  The set up is what is important.  The seat post angle puts you in an aero-dynamic postition and it requires you to use muscle groups on the bike that will complement your run.  A good fitting tri bike will make your bike splits faster and it will make your run splits faster.

The difference between an entry level tri bike and a higher end bike boils down to the frame material (carbon v. aluminum, for example), components and sex appeal.  I ride a QR Lucero which I bought new 3 years ago for $4,500.  Full carbon, Vision aerobars w/ bar end shifters and DA 10 speed.  It is the best investment I have ever made (athletically speaking!).  I bought it with a home equity loan and it took me almost 2 years to pay it off.    Totally worth it in my opinion.  Some people might think I'm nuts, but ski set-ups and the fancy golf clubs are similar in cost. 

However, I do have a buddy who qualified for Kona on a six year old aluminum Cervello TT bike.  It really is about the position the bike puts you in.  In Kona this year, I saw the new Pinerello TT bike - $15,000!  It's not that much different from my bike and its not that much different from my buddy's aluminum Cervello.

Bike preference is in large part a personal decision based on your level of commitment.  Just like how much you train.  I can't remember the last time I was passed by someone on a road bike during a race.

MTA - You can see a picture of my ride in this form under the topic "Borrowed Disc."

mattr

I'm not trying to be a smart-ass here but the questions begs to be asked:

How do you know it wasn't a result of your training ? Exactly how did you come to the 1mph conclusion? My average speed can vary on the same bike on the same course with the same equipment. I can assure you that without equipment changes I am (was) a faster rider in 2008 than I was in 2006. Much more than 1 mph too. I have training logs to prove it.

Yes equipment makes a difference and thats partly the point. The equipment seems to have become THE major fixation. Maybe I'm hanging onto a time that does not exist in Triathlon anymore......back in the days of Dave Scott and the likes.....we weren't looking at his bike, we wanted to know what he was doing for training.

Pick up an issue of Triathlete Mag and look at the featured athlete. There is more press given to his bike setup and fueling than his training. Gotta keep the sponsors happy I suppose.

MTA....not that I am not enamored by gear. I remember when Quintanna Roo came out with the first Tri specific bike back in the late 80's. People that showed up with one really showed that there was a difference. I own a Quintanna Roo Seduza today and am considering a 2010 model.

Don't get me wrong, the motor is the most important part of the bike.

Slo-hand, on one of the training rides that I do with a fair amount of regularity I keep track of all my stats.  It is a flat, fairly straight route that I can spend a large amount of time on the aero bars.  Now, from ride to ride there are variences; but as a whole the lower position gave me 1mph.  Not 1mph every ride, it's not some magical thing, but my point was that getting into just a slightly more aerodynamic position has a pretty large effect over 56 miles. 

Good question.