Your wheels and tyres can transform your bike from a cart horse into a thoroughbred, metaphorically speaking. Your bike's performance, acceleration, handling, comfort and ability to resist punctures depend on the choice you make. A set of tyres

the race, but surely such a lead was enough for a local victory. Fignon certainly thought so. In second place was Greg Lemond from the USA.Fignon decided to ride this final time-trial stage on the racing bike he had used throughout the Tour, hunching down

’re on your bike when you notice the flat, shift as you slow down. Loosen the brakes and nut, pull down on the derailleur (as pictured) and slide the wheel out. Lie your bike, chain-side up, on its side.2 Take the tyre off the wheelIf you use tyre levers, jam

, and events vary significantly in terms of length and location. Don’t fancy swimming in the choppy, open seas? Then start with a pool-based time trial. Worried your bike-handling skills won’t hold up on hills? No problem, choose a pancake-flat course

On the bike the wind is a problem for everyone, from the toughest veterans to weekend warriors. Consider a cyclist pedalling along at a brisk 20mph pace in calm conditions. If a headwind of only 10mph develops, the rider's pace drops to 16mph

-between, a triathlete's budget can easily become stretched to breaking point. Most bits of kit claim to make our bikes lighter, our legs faster and our training more effective, but you may wonder if you can be a triathlete and stay on the good side of your

to enter open-water events in the UK, you'll almost certainly need a wetsuit.  For standard-distance events (1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run), they are compulsory in water temperature below 14˚C and optional up to 22˚C. Some events, such as the London

Ah, the pleasures of riding the open road. Until it starts raining that is, and you come up with myriad excuses why you can't possibly go out on your bike. (Our favourite at TW is because we don't want our sparkling steeds to become grubby

Breathe deeplyMany triathletes just use the top part of their lungs, taking shallow, jagged breaths as they climb. This limits how quickly and efficiently you can move fresh oxygen to working muscles. Practise breathing deep into your belly, filling your lungs entirely. As a bonu...

Sooner or later, all triathletes hit the deck, and the result, more often than not, is road rash. Thankfully, such abrasions usually require only basic care, but it must be the right care. Dr Helen Iams has worked as Medical Director for races such as the US Pro Criterium Champio...