TT/Triathlon bike - Large Giant Trinity Advanced

Having qualified for the Team GB Age Group squad I thought I should invest in a TT bike. The local Giant Camden store were accomodating and helped source a sufficiently large framed bike asap. Since riding the aptly nicknamed 'Tiny' I have found I have a litte more speed whilst not having to work anywhere near as hard. The bike is a beautifully design piece of kit and I love to ride whenever possible. I will look to purchase some deep sectioned aerodnamic wheels before I take to Lisbon but other than that I love Giants TT range.

Road Bike - Cube Peloton Pro - 62cm frame

I've had this bike almost a year, at the point of writing, and I cannot say I have had more fun on two wheels. The bike is a prime example of strong German engineering from a brand which gives great reliability twinned with higher end groupset components. As my first foray into the world of road bikes this has been and continues to be a brilliant steed and I urge anyone to consider trying a Cube bike. 

Run shoes

This is an important one. I am a big fan of the Brooks Glycerin range but also have found a new love in the form of the innovative ON running cloud shoes range with superb comfort and a lively nature I have not found elsewhere.

Helmet

Competitively I use the Giro Air attack helmet for a number of races and have found it to be a useful addition to my race kit. I have slight issue regarding the fiddly small strap and clasp arrangement which seems smaller than other helmets I have owned but overall a light aero helmet.

Wheels

I am still primarily training with the stock wheels that came with the bike. These are Shimano WH500s, which seem to be holding up well. They are not light or aero in their design but they are ideal for training and provide a reliable braking surface in all weathers. Competitively I have a set of Felt Aero wheels bought on the cheap from eBay that came with a Felt aero road bike. These are twinned with Lifeline race tyres with a smart red side wall.

TT Bars

TT positioning on a road bike is hard to perfect. The bike is not ideally suited to the position so buying a set of bars with plenty of adjustability is key. This will allow you to attach the bars and play around until comfortable, dialing in your position over time as your body adapts. I use a cheap set from eBay that were designed and made in China. Check the dimensions and adjustment options, you don't have to spend the earth to get a good set.

Jacket

I think a good run/ride jacket is key for any individual looking to maximise the time they train. I have the Karrimor Run Xlite jacket with the reflective upper and it is seriously one of the best purchases I have made. Very light, durable, reflective, waterproof this jacket has it covered. It is good for riding or running in and my only issue would be be that in severe wind and cold conditions it is not always the warmest option and needs to be twinned with a few layers underneath.

Bike shoes

With many elements of my kit my thought is keep it simple. WIth my bike shoes its no different. I use dhb's T1.0 tri shoe. The one strap system is easily done up or pulled open during a race and the solid sole give a good transfer of power through the stroke. Makesure you get a decent over shoe to keep the wind out through winter as the cooling vents don't do much for keeping your feet warm.

Turbo + Software

Another recent purchase has been the BKOOL pro turbo trainer. A solid turbo trainer that provides top end feedback through the computer controlled resistance unit whilst remaining well priced and easy to use. The unit is not very noisy thus allowing use inside a flat style setup. The range of programmes can utilise the feedback resistance Indoor training ensures consistancy and efficiency all year round whether you use BKOOLs own simulator software or look to build using the popular trainer road software, you will not be disappointed.

Run watch

One of my most recent investments is a Garmin 235 run watch. This is a relative newer addition to the Garmin family and includes plenty of functions and a neat heart rate monitor in the back. This provides data hungry athletes like me with all the numbers I desire, to understand more about my running.

Paddles

Finis brought out the agility paddle not too long ago and I knew they had a winner. A set of paddles moulded from one piece of plastic that provided a good surface to pull with whilst also working your technique, as every stroke you have to get the catch right or chance losing control of the paddle. I very much enjoy using these paddles in training and feel their design is forward thinking and revolutionary.

Goggles

Like a lot of kit comfort is important, none more so than with goggles that will be clamped to your face for numerous lengths in the pool. I personally find comfort in the larger faced goggles and opt for the Zoggs Predator for training and then the polarised TYR special Ops 2.0 goggles for race day when sighting is more of an issue. Both designs provide comfort and reliability over many years of service in many different and challenging conditions.