Why are triathlons so expensive

Please update your billing details here to continue enjoying your access to the most informative and considered journalism in the UK. Accessibility Links Skip to content. Menu Close. Log in Subscribe. Their bikes are designed for only one thing—speed. Yes, you will need a bike. No, it does not need to be expensive.

We see people do triathlons on their old mountain bikes, hybrids, or other slower bikes — and especially with a couple simple modifications these bikes can do very well. If you can, try to use a road bike, even if you simply borrow one from a friend. It has an aluminum frame and forks, so is lighter than most road bikes at this price. The speed compact Shimano groupset is reliable enough and has enough gears to get you started.

The most notable difference is the design, or geometry of the frame of each bike. Triathlon bikes have a steeper angle of the seat. Instead, use this time to learn about the different equipment, test, or rent them. If you are still into the sport after your first triathlon, you can think about investing more money. It will make this first experience much more enjoyable.

If you want to learn more about tri suits, I wrote the perfect article for you. The running shoes you buy should fit your particular feet and your running style. I highly suggest going to a specialized shop.

They will analyze your running stride and recommend a good pair for you. As for the wetsuit, my wife and I rented it for our first two races. We also used these opportunities to test them. The second year in triathlon is the most expensive one.

At this stage, you got a pretty good idea already if you liked triathlon or not and can feel more confident to invest in good gears. The majority of the costs come from one-off purchases that you will be able to use over several years.

You could, of course, split these investments over multiple years. There are four big investments that require intensive searches. See: Ravensburger Triathlon, now in its 33rd year. Germany has a different insurance climate, for one thing.

You have more professional race promoters here in the U.