Top tip: volunteer as a marshal at an event. Many event organisers give free race entry and free camping to volunteers. I've saved hundreds in races by doing this (and you get to give something back to the sport!)
@@Q.Q. Events organisers tend to do several events. Volunteer at one and then compete at another. I've had a case of a sports festival that lasted the weekend. I volunteered on the Saturday and raced on the Sunday.
I yesterday completed my very first triathlon. It was a sprint distance tri. I want to thank the entire crew of the channel for the many tips videos. They helped a lot. Especially the ones for the transitions and mindset. I am a sub for almost 4 years. I spend quite a bit, since I wanted a new bike for it and got myself a - in my books reasonable - 1700€ Canyon Endurace 7 AL. I guess I spend another 300€ for other bike related stuff. (Chain drip wax, helmet, bottle cage etc, spare quick links, Tubes) Around 120€ for a tri suit. Maybe 50€ for other swim related gear. 50€ entry fee. Makes ~2200€. However the steepest cost were one timers. At least for a few years. 13.49 min swim (for around 700m) (13th Place total of 160 Starter) 35min Bike (around 18km) (57th) 27.57 Run (5km) (80th) Total time 1:19:49 Landed on 50th place for men at the end and 7/12 in my age group (35M) But "only" 5 minutes to 3rd place! I have to lose some weight to make that bike and run much quicker, but with triathlon trainings this wont be too hard. Looking forward to more. The tri bug has truely bitten! Many thanks again.
@@ChapatiMan Well i wouldnt call it "fast". it's around 30kph avg. I am quite heavy. If I get that weight moving it keeps moving on the bike. THis is different on the run i guess. As I said, lose weight and the run will be faster.
Be more like Earl. Support local races as it's a real struggle to break even at the moment, with many races being cancelled and possibly lost forever. You don't need all the gear, just enjoy the sport, but if you have the money and it's what you want to spend it on, crack on. But still support local races, they're good fun!
Second hand is the way forward. I picked up a Cervelo P2 with deep section wheels for 1K, quality aero helmet for £80, power meter for £200, wetsuit for £50 and tri suit for £40. All work just as as well as new items but saved a bomb.
Cyclist here. Before this, I only watch GCN videos and thought GCN presenters like Hank or Si are great but after watching a few GTN videos, I am totally hooked. Mark, James and Heather are just way better, funnier and more natural than GCN presenters in my opinion (GCN presenters can feel slightly forced in delivering comedic lines but Mark and James are just so good). Good job guys. Keep up!!
I have been riding the same bicycle for the last 12 years, a Trek 1.1 8 speed but sent it through a Triathlon in March and another one in a few weeks. Pool toys have been my latest addition and have made a difference I reckon. Also 4E training shoes have been a big upgrade for me this year. I think that recovery is a big cost. In Aus you’re looking at $100 for a 1 hour massage and $40 - $60 for a couple hours at a recovery centre with steam room, pools and compression. Gym memberships are costly also and require their own recovery but pool admission fees are around $6. Running is mostly free once you have good shoes but requires the most recovery so it’s a catch 22. At the end of the day it gives back more than you spend like it’s been said but that’s as long as you maintain your existing relationship with your significant other and any kids. Tread lightly!
Would be good to see more of the middle range for price point of not wanting to break the bank but want to get the most out of the sport with middle range gear
I did my first sprint triathlon last month, with an Ironman as my main goal in a couple of years. I spent €2500 on a used TT bike, disc wheel and power meter included. I bought a mid range wet suit that fit me and a pair of running shoes, so I guess my total cost is around €3000. This is a setup that will last me a long time, and as long as I keep the bike in good repair it won't lose much value. I wish I could afford a brand new bike with di2 though...
I’ve done both a half Ironman distance and a full Ironman distance triathlon and just did my own route and tracked it on strava because I couldn’t afford everything for a “real” event. Still got the benefits of training so to me it’s still a win.
For my first pool-based tri no wetsuit needed and I bought a second hand racer for £50, With all other costs I spent less than £200. They can be done cheaply.
I'm a runner who wants to do an iron man one day as a bucket list item. I guess I'll have to save some money for that... Really makes me appreciate how cheap my running is!
My first year in Triathlon last year included a super sprint, sprint, olympic and an ironman. All in with second hand bike for training and borrowing a bike for the Ironman, cost me £7k. It's not a cheap sport, ha. This year I'm only racing three times, but bought the bike I borrowed for Ironman, and this year has cost me £3k. Expect next year will cost me about £2k and that'll be an ongoing annual cost.
It's ridiculous how much I have spent on triathlon and I don't even own a tribike! I'm trying to cut on races/physio/nutrition (gingerbread instead of gels in winter training for example) and given up on the dream of a new tribike.
Last year was my first season. 2nd hand CUBE AERIUM TT bike £1000 2ng hand aero helmet £50 2nd hand disc wheel £300 TRI suit £100 Hand-me-down Wetsuit FREE Goggles £15 Races -9x sprint about £600 1x Olympic £80 Garmin 945 £200 Swim training - open water FREE Bike training -outside FREE Run training - outside FREE Gym training - bodyweight FREE Under £2000 all in
Good video. Yes. It's still possible to do triathlon cheaply. Like in the 1980s. Racing short, local and low-key. Simple equipment. Maintained yourself. Even easier in Europe. Do a road-trip to Germany. And take on some old-school village races. Plenty exist still.
Unfortunately I’m Dave except I don’t live and breathe triathlon. One racecation race a year drives the budget through the roof. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how to look at it but I’m badly injured and thinking of quitting all together for good so just think of the money I’ll save.
Don't forget all the Ironman merch I have to buy at each race so that when I walk around everyone knows that I did those races and will ask me about them :)
This worries me as someone who is really enjoying getting into tri, but has a disability and not able to work full time/ depends on some benefits. Tri is doing me the world of good but it’s not accessible as a sport and I see very little going towards making it more accessible like you might find in other sports!
i think everybody should have gym memberships for wellbeing and all... I wouldn't count that towards my triathlon costs... also flying to a different country on holiday is also just a holiday aboard with a triathlon in it... so maybe can't count that as 100% triathlon cost... that being said.... i'm definitely 100% more an Earl 😂... I just go with the cheapest reasonable option 😇
I’m just an Earl who wants Dave’s bike.
Give it 6 months after Dave doesn't qualify for Kona and he picks up a new sport
@@thenayancat8802 that’s how I get all my TT bikes.
I spend like Dave and perfom like Earl, haha... 😅
Top tip: volunteer as a marshal at an event. Many event organisers give free race entry and free camping to volunteers. I've saved hundreds in races by doing this (and you get to give something back to the sport!)
Oooo
Serious question: if you're working as a marshal during the event, how are you also competing in the event?
@@Q.Q. Events organisers tend to do several events. Volunteer at one and then compete at another.
I've had a case of a sports festival that lasted the weekend. I volunteered on the Saturday and raced on the Sunday.
For some people, buying expensive gears can boost motivation of training and race even though we all know the engine matters the most.
Good video, was nice to have the two perspectives
I yesterday completed my very first triathlon. It was a sprint distance tri.
I want to thank the entire crew of the channel for the many tips videos. They helped a lot. Especially the ones for the transitions and mindset. I am a sub for almost 4 years.
I spend quite a bit, since I wanted a new bike for it and got myself a - in my books reasonable - 1700€ Canyon Endurace 7 AL.
I guess I spend another 300€ for other bike related stuff. (Chain drip wax, helmet, bottle cage etc, spare quick links, Tubes)
Around 120€ for a tri suit.
Maybe 50€ for other swim related gear.
50€ entry fee.
Makes ~2200€. However the steepest cost were one timers. At least for a few years.
13.49 min swim (for around 700m) (13th Place total of 160 Starter)
35min Bike (around 18km) (57th)
27.57 Run (5km) (80th)
Total time 1:19:49
Landed on 50th place for men at the end and 7/12 in my age group (35M) But "only" 5 minutes to 3rd place!
I have to lose some weight to make that bike and run much quicker, but with triathlon trainings this wont be too hard.
Looking forward to more. The tri bug has truely bitten!
Many thanks again.
why’s ur bike so fast and run so slow
@@ChapatiMan Well i wouldnt call it "fast". it's around 30kph avg. I am quite heavy. If I get that weight moving it keeps moving on the bike. THis is different on the run i guess.
As I said, lose weight and the run will be faster.
@@ChapatiMan and to be fair the run wasnt slow. It was average. 80/160.
@@sebastianschreiber5302 oh ok nice. gl w ur next triathlon
@@ChapatiMan thank you, you too
Be more like Earl. Support local races as it's a real struggle to break even at the moment, with many races being cancelled and possibly lost forever. You don't need all the gear, just enjoy the sport, but if you have the money and it's what you want to spend it on, crack on. But still support local races, they're good fun!
Also consider that a lot of these pricey purchases are specific to your body and are thus harder to resell when you want to upgrade.
Second hand is the way forward. I picked up a Cervelo P2 with deep section wheels for 1K, quality aero helmet for £80, power meter for £200, wetsuit for £50 and tri suit for £40. All work just as as well as new items but saved a bomb.
Second hand tri suit is nasty
Not if it is still in the packaging and unused. Can tell it is brand new. Got an absolute steal.@@ChapatiMan
Dave’s M dot tattoo? I just spat coffee over my phone. 😂
Cyclist here. Before this, I only watch GCN videos and thought GCN presenters like Hank or Si are great but after watching a few GTN videos, I am totally hooked. Mark, James and Heather are just way better, funnier and more natural than GCN presenters in my opinion (GCN presenters can feel slightly forced in delivering comedic lines but Mark and James are just so good).
Good job guys. Keep up!!
I have been riding the same bicycle for the last 12 years, a Trek 1.1 8 speed but sent it through a Triathlon in March and another one in a few weeks. Pool toys have been my latest addition and have made a difference I reckon. Also 4E training shoes have been a big upgrade for me this year.
I think that recovery is a big cost. In Aus you’re looking at $100 for a 1 hour massage and $40 - $60 for a couple hours at a recovery centre with steam room, pools and compression.
Gym memberships are costly also and require their own recovery but pool admission fees are around $6.
Running is mostly free once you have good shoes but requires the most recovery so it’s a catch 22.
At the end of the day it gives back more than you spend like it’s been said but that’s as long as you maintain your existing relationship with your significant other and any kids. Tread lightly!
This is timed exceptionally well after GCN's joke about the price of triathlon in their video about the Americas Cup.
Loved it. Can’t leave out Dave’s tattoo 😂
Hilarious format guys. Love it.
The cost will never out weigh the benefits you will get from it.
Ha I'm Earl for sure! I'm about to do my third ever Olympic triathlon in three weeks! I'm SLOWLY upgrading my gear as time goes on though.🤣
This video is great! I'm an aspiring Dave.
Would be good to see more of the middle range for price point of not wanting to break the bank but want to get the most out of the sport with middle range gear
I did my first sprint triathlon last month, with an Ironman as my main goal in a couple of years.
I spent €2500 on a used TT bike, disc wheel and power meter included. I bought a mid range wet suit that fit me and a pair of running shoes, so I guess my total cost is around €3000.
This is a setup that will last me a long time, and as long as I keep the bike in good repair it won't lose much value.
I wish I could afford a brand new bike with di2 though...
I’ve done both a half Ironman distance and a full Ironman distance triathlon and just did my own route and tracked it on strava because I couldn’t afford everything for a “real” event. Still got the benefits of training so to me it’s still a win.
For my first pool-based tri no wetsuit needed and I bought a second hand racer for £50, With all other costs I spent less than £200. They can be done cheaply.
I'm somewhere between the £200 challenge and Earl.
I'm a runner who wants to do an iron man one day as a bucket list item. I guess I'll have to save some money for that... Really makes me appreciate how cheap my running is!
My first year in Triathlon last year included a super sprint, sprint, olympic and an ironman. All in with second hand bike for training and borrowing a bike for the Ironman, cost me £7k. It's not a cheap sport, ha. This year I'm only racing three times, but bought the bike I borrowed for Ironman, and this year has cost me £3k. Expect next year will cost me about £2k and that'll be an ongoing annual cost.
The way Dave bent over I dare not guess where the dot is on that tattoo.
im just a souped up Earl 😅.
raced on alu bike, save money n built a tri bike using china openmould tt912
Good job indirectly getting me here from GCN yacht video
I'm an Earl with 92% import taxes on every equipment.
It’s like I always say-gels are the microtransactions of endurance sports.
It's ridiculous how much I have spent on triathlon and I don't even own a tribike! I'm trying to cut on races/physio/nutrition (gingerbread instead of gels in winter training for example) and given up on the dream of a new tribike.
Im on Earl side but with better gear , i dont change the bike and the bike shoes ever, i use minimally sports nutrition, only water and normal food
Last year was my first season.
2nd hand CUBE AERIUM TT bike £1000
2ng hand aero helmet £50
2nd hand disc wheel £300
TRI suit £100
Hand-me-down Wetsuit FREE
Goggles £15
Races -9x sprint about £600
1x Olympic £80
Garmin 945 £200
Swim training - open water FREE
Bike training -outside FREE
Run training - outside FREE
Gym training - bodyweight FREE
Under £2000 all in
Good video. Yes. It's still possible to do triathlon cheaply. Like in the 1980s. Racing short, local and low-key. Simple equipment. Maintained yourself. Even easier in Europe. Do a road-trip to Germany. And take on some old-school village races. Plenty exist still.
I want to know where Dave gets his bike insurance! With crash damage, for a bike like Dave’s, I can’t find anything cheaper than £400!
Unfortunately I’m Dave except I don’t live and breathe triathlon. One racecation race a year drives the budget through the roof. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how to look at it but I’m badly injured and thinking of quitting all together for good so just think of the money I’ll save.
Don't forget all the Ironman merch I have to buy at each race so that when I walk around everyone knows that I did those races and will ask me about them :)
This worries me as someone who is really enjoying getting into tri, but has a disability and not able to work full time/ depends on some benefits. Tri is doing me the world of good but it’s not accessible as a sport and I see very little going towards making it more accessible like you might find in other sports!
5 grand for 2 people in Kona would be just flights, you might want to go 4x there
I’m not quite an Earl but definitely not a Dave, I’m so slow and old, I can’t justify all that extra stuff!
i think everybody should have gym memberships for wellbeing and all... I wouldn't count that towards my triathlon costs...
also flying to a different country on holiday is also just a holiday aboard with a triathlon in it... so maybe can't count that as 100% triathlon cost...
that being said.... i'm definitely 100% more an Earl 😂... I just go with the cheapest reasonable option 😇
I got the Haribo!
Stopped some years ago, due to how expensive it got.
There are other sports.
Changing my nickname to earl
Earl, trains in the rain😂😭😭😭
Dave forgot to mention the cost of a divorce.
So basically the bike part costs most....
well, I guess I am lower in spending than Earl...
Pretty good one……Dearl😅 I would guess
I’m a Dave wannabe. Definitely closer to Dave, can I call myself Daryl?!? 😂
You can always pick someone’s else’s bike or gear during transition 😈
I dream about Dave’s bike. Dare not tell the wife I do that never mind lying about the price.
I'm broke just watching this video. And I thought cyclists were crazy with their toys
Now Ex-Wife 😂 Great video guys
Guys will literally do anything except for go to therapy
Too much!
Unsubbed.
This is why most people will not get into triathlon. It's a pay to win sport
Honestly I am closer to Dave 🫠🫠🫠