, narrower bars, short-reach brake levers and wider-set, female-friendly saddles.The ContendersThe TW test team took some entry-level bikes for a serious spin in the woods above Oxford.We tested five beginner-friendly bikes in the £450-800 price bracket

When it comes to triathlon kit, the bike is likely to be your biggest single purchase. Don't be surprised if your eye is drawn toward top-of-the-range time-trial bikes with exquisitely sculpted carbon frames, swooping aero bars and deep

. In other words, a one-piece tri suit.You might be alarmed at the idea of covering yourself from knee to shoulder in skintight Lycra, but it’s a step to consider if you’re serious about triathlon. The advantages of a quick-drying, multi-purpose item

lakes, your wetsuit should keep you warm, buoyant and streamlined, making you faster and more efficient in the water. If you can spend between £120-£270 on your first wetsuit you'll be able to choose from a great selection of suits targeted at slower

easy at any cadence6 minutes at 100 rpm 2 minutes easy at any cadence5 minutes at 110 rpm 2 minutes easy at any cadence4 minutes at 120 rpm 15 minutes easy warm-downThe Long RideA regular long ride is an important session for any triathlete. The cycle

CushionburyWeight: 190g (130mm width)Info: www.specializeduk.comSelle SLR, £113.99"The SLR is a paragon of functional minimalism: it is just wide, long, light and padded enough to perform with perfection - if you're on your saddle long enough to adapt to it

to swimming in the outdoors, you can choose from goggles, masks or a hybrid. Some people like the extra feeling of protection offered by masks, while others are happy with larger styles of goggles (we've tested both types here).Whatever you choose, your open

. Wheels can contribute up to 10 per cent of the drag of a bike and rider package. By selecting an aero rim, you can theoretically go faster while putting out the same power. In pursuit of more speed and power conservation we have looked at a range of wheel

to make the most of their training. This high-end ergotrainer, which can be used stand-alone, is equipped with a powerful engine brake so you can perform extremely hard workouts. It is possible to generate more than 1,000 watts at a low pedalling frequency

, the wooden handle is contoured for comfort and the top-mounted gauge is clear and easy to read. The generous stroke length fills tyres quickly, up to a psi of 160.Info: www.zyro.co.ukTooled upTorpedo level with mini line level, £4.98, tape measure, £1.48