by Russ Cox

In transition, racked between the latest time trial machines with their disc wheels is my five year old road bike. There is a pair of aerobars clipped on the front and my PowerTap training wheel is decked out with a wheel cover, but when I get out of the water I'm tempted to take the speed machine next to it. I don't have the best gear in transition. What I have is functional, reliable and helps me get the most from training.

We are constantly bombarded with new products, promising improvements to performance, savings in energy and reductions in times; there are solutions to problems I didn't even know we had. I love new kit, but my budget is limited, before I get out the credit card my concern is return on investment. How much faster will those wheels really make me? Are there other ways to achieve the same results for less?

No new gear, just train. That's been my rule since I started traveling; excess baggage fees soon focus the mind on what really matters. A bike, two wheels, a helmet and training clothes - everything else is a bonus. Now that I'm settled and working I have more options, but habits die hard. New kit must go out of its way to impress me before I'll part with my cash.

The latest gear might save a few seconds, but I know it's the training that will cut minutes from my times. When I spend, I prioritize training aids, equipment that will help me develop as an athlete. My bike may not be top of the range, but the PowerTap wheel wasn't cheap. Training with power transformed my cycling and contributed more to my ironman times than a set of deep rim wheels. The investment was high and the returns huge.

Anyone who has seen the condition of my bike will tell you, I'm not easy on my kit. A little more post-workout care might help, but I want reliability. Few things are as frustrating as planning a training session only to find your equipment isn't up to the job. When I know something is going to be used a lot I don't choose the lightest, I choose the strongest. Bombproof, I've ridden thousands of miles before my wheels need a service.

I'm not immune to the temptation of new kit and occasionally treat myself; there can be motivational gains. My new bike shoes feel stiffer and faster, in bright yellow I don't dare to ride slowly. I can't quantify the benefit, the return on investment may not stack up, but they gave my workouts a lift. Sometimes form has a place over function.

In balance, there's no harm having the latest and greatest triathlon toys. If you have the option, why not? It's always worth weighing the ROI; is there a better way to add value to your training? I own the tools I need to get the job done, so my preference is to invest in training camps and trips to races.

That said I have been paying more attention to bike reviews; maybe later this year.