The original triathletes were amazing. Dave Scott and Mark Allen achieved amazing feats in triathlon long before technology took over the sport. They didn’t have metrics like we have today and they certainly didn’t have all the information gathering capabilities that we have. However, they set records and bravely competed. In fact, Mark Allen still holds the Kona marathon record to this day. Technology is a great friend of triathletes, but it has its drawbacks.
TECH ITEMS
So technology has taken over every part of the triathlon. One of the most researched areas is the triathlon watch area. Every year there are new watches available to buy that have ever larger measurements for the triathlete. My personal favorite is the Garmin 910XT. This watch gives me heart rate, power (with a power meter), pace (with optional pedometer), speed, cadence (with optional cadence sensor), mileage, swim yards, and more. Each of these measures helps me measure my success or failure in each and every training session and race.
Technology has made great strides in bicycles and wheelsets. The amount of research on these two elements within the world of triathlon is incredible. Every year there are exciting new advances in airspeed on bikes and wheelsets. Most of the time, these technologies can take two very different viewpoints. This was most evident at the 2016 World Championships in Kona. Diamond Bikes presented their Andean bike that fills the entire space between the front tire and the rear tire with a solid piece so that the wind passes through this area for aerodynamic reasons. Another bike debuted at Kona this year with the exact opposite idea. The Ventum bike removed the down tube from the bike and made an empty space between the front tire and rear tire and only the top tube remained. These are two very different ideas about aerodynamics. This is one of the amazing things about the advancement of technology and also one of the downsides.
Each and every triathlon team is subject to constant technological advances. Shoes, wetsuits, socks, nutrition, hats, sunglasses, helmets, racing kits and everything you can imagine. This world of triathlon technology is nowhere near complete and will continue to push the limits.
THE ADVANTAGE OF TECHNOLOGY
The technology in triathlon is incredible. These new items are exciting and make each year different. There are new advances that help triathletes go faster and longer. These new technologies help even the amateur triathlete go faster. Just buying new wheels can mean the difference between getting on or off the podium. The advancement of shoes has helped many athletes avoid the injuries that plague so many, such as plantar fasciitis. Technology will continue to help the sport to be better and better.
THE DISADVANTAGE OF TECHNOLOGY
The downside of technology is that the amateur triathlete arrives at their local race unable to win because someone else has the money to buy some of the latest technology. Larger purchases like wheelsets and bikes can be cost prohibitive for the average triathlete, and yet there are people who are buying these items at an alarming rate. The amateur triathlete may also be overwhelmed by what he should buy and what he should not buy. Some tech items aren’t worth the extra cost because they don’t reduce race time enough for the price. Now that these new technologies have been around for a while, knock-offs have started making lower-cost items. It will be interesting to watch the flood of these knock-offs on the market and see how that affects the tech giants.
If you are a hobby triathlete, shop smart and don’t buy new devices just because they are new. Make sure you invest in items that will actually make you faster and not just a gimmick.