In this episode

Giannis Koklakizoglou speaks as the third generation of a Peristeri bike shop, with fifteen years serving triathlon needs rather than presenting a racing biography.

The discussion is practical: fit and comfort ahead of aerodynamic appearances, a road bike before a triathlon bike, a certified helmet before an aero one. Equipment is considered through actual needs rather than a product catalogue.

Detailed show notes

A shop, not a shopping list

The shop is in Peristeri, western Athens, a third-generation cycling business. It moved into triathlon over the past 15 years, when Greek athletes at Ironman-distance races abroad could be counted on one hand. As a teenager, he raced in the Greek cycling championship during the 1990s; this year, he hopes to do his first triathlon.

He mentions an online presence under the name spoken in the episode; no link is inferred. His position is that this is technical equipment: need must match fit and suitability, rather than advertising.

Swimming: goggles and wetsuits

For a beginner, he considers pool swimwear, goggles, a cap and training aids sufficient; a wetsuit is not compulsory if you choose a race with a more suitable water temperature. He prefers goggles sitting outside the eye socket for comfort and open-water visibility. More expensive goggles, he says, offer material durability and fit rather than miraculous anti-fog performance.

With wetsuits, buoyancy and flexibility matter, using different thicknesses across the body. The athlete’s coach comes before the shop’s recommendation. A suit must be put on correctly to avoid restricting the shoulders and should not be hung from the shoulders to dry.

Trisuits and bikes

For a trisuit, he looks at fit, heat dissipation and quick drying. Fewer seams help reduce chafing, but bonded construction has a limited lifespan. A cheaper suit may be enough for a newcomer. Saddle and padding belong alongside bike fit; wear after only a few uses suggests a saddle issue to him, not just a fabric problem.

He recommends a road bike for entering the sport, rather than a triathlon bike. He sees triathlon bikes as performance equipment, with aerodynamics and geometry intended to leave the legs fresher for running. Two bikes are ideal; if there is only one, he chooses road. Prices are given as broad ranges, not a catalogue.

Helmets, pedals and shoes

He considers a CE-certified cycling helmet from around €45 sufficient for safety; above that, he says you pay for aerodynamics, fit and material durability rather than whether your head is protected. He sees teardrop helmets declining and links light colours with road visibility.

Road and triathlon bikes are sold without pedals; he regards clipless pedals as standard for training. Triathlon shoes with Velcro and perforated fabric help transitions but are unnecessary for beginners. For running, he suggests treadmill trials and cushioning according to weight and distance. He now counts a trainer as basic equipment alongside the bike; deeper discussion is left for another episode.

Key takeaways

  • Prioritise fit and comfort, not the product an elite athlete wears.
  • A road bike is enough to enter triathlon; a triathlon bike comes when performance becomes the aim.
  • An affordable certified helmet protects; a more expensive one changes aerodynamics and durability, not whether you are entitled to ride.
  • Wetsuits, trisuits and shoes serve distance and temperature needs, rather than forming a compulsory first-race shopping list.