Cycling does not have to be an excessively expensive sport. Especially once we have cemented our hobby and go out to ride on a regular basis. However, it is an expensive sport when it comes to input ranges.
For someone who wants to test if this is their thing, sports such as running, swimming or numerous team sports are accessible to the vast majority of the population. The difference with cycling lies in the material. With some trainers and a tracksuit you can start running, on the other hand, to take your first pedal strokes you will need, at least, a helmet, sportswear and… A bicycle, undoubtedly the most expensive part of the equation.
A new road bike will hardly go below 1,000 euros and a Mountain Bike will also be around that figure. Gravel ones can go even higher. However, there is another modality, generally forgotten by the average cyclist, such as the time trial. Lush “goats” are used there, which have a unique appearance and an exorbitant price.
As a cyclist it is possible to do time trials with another type of bicycle, but it is clear that your performance will suffer. Besides, the “goats” have a specific configuration to try to squeeze every last watt out of the cyclist, both in power and aerodynamics.
At the moment it is not a product that is too accessible to the general public because being such a not very versatile type of bicycle, the vast majority opt for bikes with which you can ride beyond an immaculate plain. However, this could change next year.
The well-known sports brand Decathlon has started an important commitment to cycling with the creation of Van Rysel, its high-performance cycling section. They have been wearing the Cofidis team, a member of the World Tour, for a year, but now they have wanted to go a step further.
Looking ahead to next year, they are willing to launch their own “goat” with the intention of being able to rub shoulders with the big bicycle brands, both in time trials and in triathlon. They have already manufactured a first prototype and their triathletes have put it on the asphalt.
What is interesting about this is the fact that Decathlon offers all the products it manufactures for sale, including those dedicated to professionals. And it does it at a very good price. Their cheapest road bike is light years ahead of the competition at the price level, being much more affordable than the others. If they continue this trend we could see a relatively affordable time trial bike in 2024 for the first time since the modality was born. As the project progresses, we will tell you about it at PlanetaBici.com.
