As I start out on this new triathlon adventure I am having to look at some some of my gear in a new light. Those of you who know me know I am a cheapskate. When it comes to my gear I ride it to the bitter end. I won't throw a tire out until you can see fabric or the sidewall blows out. I have been known to put all the little chain installation scraps from the shop together and make a new chain for my fixie. Given the choice of the product that matches my bike and the one on sale, I get the one on sale.
That being said, as one who has spent endless hours on a bike, I understand what quality can mean to a ride. If you put junk components on your bike, it will ride like junk. Together these two qualities have left me with the general view that usually your best bet is to ride component groups 1 to 2 years old. If you always chase the latest and greatest, you will pay a premium and often get the components before the bugs have really been worked out. For example if you were the first to jump on SRAMs road components you got the version that didn't have a trim-click. 2 years later, prices came way down and you had a trim click. If (like I did) you jumped on the XX1 bandwagon when it first came out, you got to ride a fully dialed system that changed the industry. Of course now the prices of your replacement rings and drivers have come down to about half the original price and they are every bit as good and more available.
As I start in with triathlon gear, I am finding that I already have a lot of the gear I need. The increased use of said gear will hopefully give me the chance to wear some of that gear out and buy the gear I want.
| For example as much as I like to taunt my wife with the fact that I have been wearing the same swim suit since high school, I have to wonder how many more trips to the pool this piece of history is going to survive before I suddenly discover that it has completely disintegrated. I recently heard a preacher on the radio suggest that God never intended men to wear Speedos, and after some time at the pool I tend to agree with him. I am guessing that there is probably some happy medium |  |
Until that time comes however I am starting my assembly of new gear a little slower. So while no one can steal my swimsuit while I am swiming, my valuble flannel shirt and the keys to my 94 Ford Explorer remain unprotected in my locker. So purchase #1 for the new venture was a combination lock. While significant, I'm sure this won't be the only purchase I will have to make as I wind my way toward the Ironman, so I have decided to have a "feel my pain" sale at the shop for those of you who follow my blog. I'll post the details later but basically if you mention the blog, anything I have to buy will be on sale at the shop for a week after I post it up here. So for the next week all locks will be 25% off if you mention this post.
Congrats to the 7 of you who actually read my ramblings. You get to keep your stuff safe for discout prices.
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