8 Best Value Triathlon Upgrades

Check out Mark's best value upgrades for triathletes. Triathlon can be an expensive sport but here are 8 of the most cost effective upgrades for your bike and triathlon kit bag.

Mark's 8 best value upgrades include:
- Aero bars
- Elastic laces
- Tyres
- Tri-suit
- Cassette
- Wetsuit
- Aero bottle
- Saddle

These upgrades will each save you a different amount of time but they are all a great way to increase your speed and performance without spending thousands of pounds on a new bike.

Get in touch and let us know what your favourite piece of kit is and how much time you think it saved.

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Let us know the best value piece of kit you purchased in the comments below 👇

[D.Eldon_]

Regarding the clip-on aerobars, you can add them to most any alloy handlebar with a round cross-sectional profile but the same is NOT true for "most" composite carbon handlebars. If you use a composite handlebar, check your model to make sure they are designed for aerobars before adding them. The composite handlebars that are designed for them, will have a reinforced clamping area that extends beyond the center stem clamp area by a couple of inches or more on each side. This should be marked on the handlebar. I've used composite handlebars from Ritchey and Profile Design that have the extra reinforcement for aerobars.

As for protecting the handlebars with tape, forget it! I think safety is much more important and the safest way I know to attach clip-on aerobars to any handlebar -- especially composite handlebars -- is to mount the aerobar brackets directly to the handlebar with friction paste like Park Tool SAC-2. You can exert a lot of leverage when you push on the aerobars and you do not want them to slip and rotate on the handlebar. It could lead to a wreck! A good friction compound lets you achieve a secure, no-slip mounting without applying excess torque to the mounting bracket bolts.

[gmbn]

👍 Don't forget to check out GTN if you love triathlon

[cgharris]

Race belt, BodyGlide. Not cheap but definitely great value...indoor trainer...such an efficient way to get workouts in in all weather and when you are short on time

[DeanGrove]

Here's the best value upgrade, lose weight ! While many of the triathletes are skinny as can be, some do it for weight loss and have an extra 5-10 kg or even more. Lose that weight and you will gain minutes, but also gain confidence and the ability to just not fit into any old clothes anymore - best value!

[kentcross]

Power meter to help with training has been the best value item to add to my bike!

[aves]

GTN, about 4 years too late but these videos are awesome. That is all, Alex.

[razordimeback]

Your front tyre (GP4000S) is on backwards, I know it's probably not important, but there's an arrow on the side and yours are backwards :)

[paradox]

One bit of caution you should have included is before you put clip on aerobars on make sure your handlebars are compatible, some carbon bars are and some aren't, as an example 3T's Team series is clip on compatible but the same bar in their LTD series is not compatible.

[NathanBudd]

Great tip about the electrical tape on the bars before using clip on bars! Wish I'd done that before!

[someguy]

the cassette choice was realy surprising to me. Expected a 12-25t or even 12-23 cassette for flat courses. I use a 11-25 and it always feels like one gear is missing. the 11-28 is just like a regular pro setup in the TDF, same goes for steeper bits with the 11-32. Doesn't sound all that diffrent to cycling.
My future setup is gonna be a 56t or 58t chainring with a 1x11 Sram force with a ultegra/105 12-25 cassette for all the smaller jumps. Im not gonna see any mountains with this, but on flat courses, i will always know that i got the right gear and also a good chainline

[kennethstarskov]

Great beginner suggestions. Maybe a video on the next level upgrades. Say you bought a stock TT bike - what are some valuable upgrades. Crank? Buttom bracket? The little wheels on the back shifter? Thanks.

[Rod.Machado]

im really waiting for the GSBN
global Snow boarding network.

[TheForever]

Easy cleanup, came as described fast. Great product

[kubagornowicz]

Bikefiting is the best value upgrade - good for your body and health and for the results on bike and run!

[johnmclean]

Best upgrade is a good pair of tri shorts (especially if you are doing longer than Olympic distance). You can ride harder when your backside isn't sore! Invest $$ in gear that makes you comfortable. One major caution on the aero bottles - they are not so useful for mid and full distance events when you need to take on-course nutrition.

[markhill]

Always check your tyre direction when fitting too...!! ;-)

[ioanzogr]

Lighter inner tubes(eg. latex) or tubeless tires and perhaps a saddle bottle cage is more aerodynamic than a down-tube bottle cage even if it is an aero one.

[Xukaiwen]

Have you tried lace-up cycling shoes? After putting in elastic shoelaces for my running shoes, I thought I'd give them a try in my cycling shoes. I love it. I started with them nice and loose, and slowly adjusted them so they fit tight enough for my sprints, but loose enough that I could ride for hours. Super easy to slip in and out of. I know most pro tri-athletes go for big velcro swathes on the top of their shoes, but I prefer to only have one pair of cycling shoes, and these elastic ones do it for me.

[ninjastellar]

Thank you so much for this! I've actually never seen that type of a saddle, it looks like much less of a pain in the bum xD thanks again!