Austinites are no longer limited to a stretch of Barton Springs when looking for a triathlon specific shop for their tri needs. VO2 Triathlon and Cycles is now open in North Austin at 9222 Parmer Lane. They are open Monday – Friday, 9am to 7pm, and Saturdays, 10am to 6 pm. They carry Kestrel and X-Lab bikes as well as ZOOT and Descente apparel.

Many of our larger bike shops in town have jumped on the triathlon wagon in the last few years, so why visit VO2, Austin Tri-Cyclist, or Jack and Adam’s? Well, ask yourself, do the people at the shop actually do triathlons or are they just carrying tri-bikes because its part of a larger bike line? Do they understand tri bike and wetsuit fitting?

Triathlon is different from general cycling or time trials in that you have to run when you get done on the bike. It is important to have a shop that understands this and how to fit you so you have the optimal combination of aerodynamics, power, and easiest transition to the run. This becomes truer the long you race. Plus, tri equipment isn’t cheap, so unless you have gobs of money laying around, you better do your best to make sure your choices are right.

I am not saying you can not get great tri specific products from a more generalized bike shop, but before you pass up these local triathlon stores for another LBS, make sure they have staff that understand and share your passion for the sport.