The Triathlon Experts

Summer cycling is in full swing for triathletes - and others who just love to ride the roads and the trails. Every year, I ponder what kind of upgrades and gear that I want to add to my bikes. Since I am not a rich man, I usually head for my two favorite bike catalogs…Performance Bike and Bike Nashbar.

I always feel like a kid when I see either a Performance Bike or Bike Nashbar catalog in the mail. Even if I do not need any parts, I always enjoy browsing the catalogs to see what new products have come on the market that I can strap onto my bikes. They usually have a good sale with the catalog as well…so I am usually on the Web placing some kind of order a few times a year.

Bike Parts Industry Domination = Cheaper Parts for Us

If I didn’t know better, I would think these two companies are the same company - but what makes them seem similar is their extreme price competition with each other. Performance and Nashbar compete in the “discount” bike parts marketplace…much to the disliking of local bike shops (LBSs). Although I like to give the LBSs some of my business, I am convinced that they can’t match the catalog prices and stay in business.

Now, if you are more of a purist and demand the top-level parts and components, Performance Bike and Bike Nashbar may seem a little pedestrian…but they do sell top brands and top-level components as well. So, don’t stick your nose up too soon without a look, unless you just have too much money and need to get rid of it!

Great Deals, Cheap Shipping and Easy Returns

Being able to return that component after you have breached the packaging is one of the great pleasures of being an American…in my opinion. I love knowing that I can check a product out on the vendor’s tab, before committing to keeping it. With the big players, like Performance Bike and Bike Nashbar, I have never had an issue returning something - as long as it has not been “used”. Try that at a small catalog, and you may be keeping that product forever.

My experience with both companies is that their service and returns policies are generous. Additionally, the shipping costs are pretty minimal. Combine this with great deals and you will see that you can get a whole box of bike parts for the price of one component at a local bike shop.

Go forth and shop! Just remember to give some business to the local bike shops…since they are great to have around and provide tremendous support to local events and the triathlon community.

It is no surprise that many triathletes and spectators see XTERRA off road triathlon racing as an event for the borderline mentally insane…especially when watching the TV footage from the mountain biking leg of the XTERRA triathlon.

I will not completely disagree that we triathletes are insane, but know that you can apply good training and strategy to improve the chances of success and to decrease your chances of crash injury. First, learning how to ride a mountain bike properly is a must. A good training guide to start with is Blair Thorne’s Mountain Bike Guide . Check this material out.

XTERRA events add the challenge of nature’s unpredictability to an already difficult sport. We want to provide you with some tools for ensuring that you come out on top of the heap, instead of ending up on the bottom of the crash pile. Read the rest of this entry »