mileage and a good old-fashioned clock. Unlike the Ciclosport, the VDO has two big buttons on the front for easy access to the various functions. It's a wired computer, so expect to have some wires trailing around the front end of your bike. The VDO A4
When faced with winter, a triathlete generally makes one of three decisions about cycling: keep riding; move the bike inside to the turbo trainer; or shift emphasis to a different activity - Wii Fit, anyone? - until the warmer weather returns
Easy-as-pie psiTop Dog St Deluxe pump, £46.99Tyre pressure affects your bike's comfort, speed, handling and even your safety. And although your road tyres may have a maximum pressure of 125 psi, that might not be the pressure you should use; most
. To work out a chain's size on your own, line up the jaws of a pair of calipers over the centre of the ends of a chain pin. Five- or six-speed bikes need a chain with a diameter of 7.5 to 8mm; seven- and eight-speed bikes need a chain with a diameter of 7
.I pulled off my shorts and took a peek: the skin was red and raw. Chafed. I had done long rides before; I'd completed a different, more difficult century; I had ridden 40K perched on my saddle in wet shorts during many triathlons. But never had I felt
. "If you're just starting out in triathlons, a few hundred pounds will get you a basic road bike to take you through your first races," says Cook. "As you improve you can then think about keeping your first bike as a dedicated training bike - and buy a
and hardwearing, carbon-reinforced palms. There's still enough bike feel through the gloves to move up and down the gears or to slam on the brakes. Info: www.madison.co.uk Specialized Women’s BG Equinox, £27.99Specialized almost managed to resist the temptation
, perfect for triathlon - you can use it in the pool as well as during rainy or particularly sweaty training sessions." Andrea Whitcombe, former Commonwealth Games and Olympic athlete "It would have to be a power meter that measures wattage on the bike. I
In the kit-crazed world of triathlon, we are sometimes judged by our fashion sense as well as our sporting ability, often by the more elite (and more than a little vain) among us. But many style rules exist for a purpose - not only do they prevent
Proper fit is a mustYour helmet should neither dig into your scalp nor flop around your head. The more snug the fit, the better chance your lid has of staying put on your head when you don't stay put on your bike.To ensure proper adjustment, start
