TWOWHEEL TOYS
Triathletes are always looking for the ultimate bike setup – whether it be their position, their bike or all the accessories that help them go faster out on the road. You’ll never go wrong with a bike-related present once the holiday season hits. Here are a few of our favourites that will help your triathlete hit their race goals next season.
Shimano TR5
$190 Thanks to the T1-Quick strap, wide collar and big heel loop, your foot will slide into the TR5 with ease as you power out of T1. Once you’re moving, the glass-fibre reinforced nylon sole ensures all your effort goes into moving you forward, while the 3D breathable mesh in the upper is very comfortable and ventilated. At just 247 g, these lightweight shoes also have an Adaptable Cup Insole for a plush, performance feel.
Abus GameChanger Helmet
$300 Designed to cheat the wind while also protecting your head, the GameChanger helps you cut through the wind regardless of your head position thanks to the special shape that minimizes exposed surfaces no matter how you tilt your head. Special Forced Air Cooling technology channels the air around your head to keep you cool, while the specially designed straps are easy to adjust, aerodynamic and comfortable.
Bontrager Specter WaveCel Road Bike Helmet
$195 Using WaveCel technology for added protection, this lightweight helmet offers lots of ventilation, so your head will stay both cool and protected when you’re riding. The Boa strap system allows you to dial in the perfect fit with one hand, and the Fidlock magnetic buckle fastens with ease. The comfortable, moisture-wicking, washable pads enhance the comfort, while there’s extra reflection on the back of the helmet to ensure you’ll be seen.
Lazer Tardiz 2
$230 With a narrow, droplike shape and a small frontal area, Lazar’s Tardiz 2 improves on the original version, offering even more aerodynamic speed and ventilation. The dimpled rear surface is designed to cheat the wind, while the ATS fit system makes it easy to adjust for a comfortable fit. The Aquavent helps cooling air past your head, while the open front area allows you to match this speedy helmet with your favourite eyewear. For cooler days, or when you’re in the hunt for even more aero performance, you can close off the Aquavent. You can also dial in your head position by using the compatible Lazer Inclination Sensor.
Scott Split Plus Helmet
$400 Designed for time trials and triathlons, this aero helmet incorporates the MIPS system for added protection, while the soft ear pads and easy adjustment ensure a comfortable, snug performance fit. There’s a magnetic buckle and special sunglasses storage window that’ll help you fly through transition to make this a great choice for triathlon racing.
Pearl Izumi Women’s Attack Thermal Jersey
$150 As we’re used to with Pearl Izumi’s performance clothing, the Attack Thermal Jersey offers a sleek, form-fitting design that’s as stylish as it is fast. Perfect for cool rides, you can combine this with a jacket to get through even colder efforts. The four-way stretch thermal fleece is extremely comfortable and allows for full range of motion. The silicone gripper keeps the rear from riding up to keep you warm and provide easy access to the generous pockets.
Specialized Limited-Edition S-Works Shiv Disc
$18,000 This super-bike debuted in Kona last year and remains one of the hottest bikes you’ll see in transition. This limited edition version (there are only 500 individually numbered available) features Dura Ace Di2 components and a unique paint job that, depending on the light, features a multitude of different colours. This work of art doesn’t just look good – its aerodynamic and optimized for cross winds. The adjustable cockpit easily comes off the frame for travel, with the basebar folding down parallel to the fork. You even get the light and stiff S-Works carbon fibre cranks with dual-sided power measurement.
Garneau Tri X-Lite III shoes
$265 Transitions will be a breeze thanks to the latest version of Garneau’s Tri X-Lite and its wide entry and double hook-and-loop straps. The stiff composite outsole will ensure all your power goes into moving you forward, while the venitlated, antibacterial COOLMAX insoles will help keep your feet dry and comfortable. The special X-Comfort Zone technology in this light shoe (250 g) provides lots of ventilation while accommodating a wide variety of foot widths and preventing numbness.
Fabric Lumaray V2
$49 Offering 270 degrees of wraparound lighting, the compact Lumaray light offers up to 7.5 hours of LED lighting to ensure you’ll see where you’re going and be easy to spot while riding at night. You can also set it to flash for added safety while riding during the day, too.
Pinarello Bolide TR+
$15,800, FRAMESET WITH BAR SYSTEM Ridden by Cam Wurf to the bike course record in Kona in 2018, the Bolide Tri features an Asymmetric frame that takes all the features Pinarello puts into the time trial bikes it builds for pro tour riders and puts it into a tri-friendly frame. With lots of storage options for nutrition and a spare tube or tire, all the cables are internally routed for aerodynamics, while the RAD System disk brakes provide excellent stopping power. You get outstanding performance and aerodynamics in a bike that looks like a work of art.
Ventum NS1
US$5,000, FRAMESET
PRO Aerofuel Carbon Saddle
$300
Easton EC90 Aero 55 Wheels
$1,225 Whether you’re training or racing the EC90 Aero 55 wheelset performs well enough for bike racers to use it in super-fast and technical critieriums, while also providing wind-cheating aerodynamics for triathletes looking for an all-around set of wheels. With aero Fantom rims laced to Vault hubs, you get lightweight wheels that are tough enough for even the longest and hardest training rides, but still perform well enough to take to your next race.
Garmin Vector 3 Pedal
$1,300 For those who like to ride a variety of different bikes but still want to be able to measure power, the Vector 3 Pedal is the answer. You can measure total power, left/right balance, cadence and other pedaling data in a system that easily integrates with any Garmin watch or computer. There’s ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity and a battery life of 120 hours to ensure you’ll get all the data you need with ease.—KM