Triathlon - Budget Triathlons

I'm a bit dismayed that everything seems to be about spending more and more money (not that there's anything wrong with that if you have money to spend). I think it's time that we have a thread for budget-minded people. I'm particularly interested in hearing from people who have had a lot of success in biking and doing triathlons while keeping on a strict budget. My own deal is that I have a $400 hybrid bike that I'm planning on doing some sprint triathlons on next year (once I get in decent enough shape). I'll probably stick with the toe clips as I already have a pair of shoes for just about every other sport and would prefer not to add to that collection in the near future. Until I get good I see mostly everything as a luxury item, though I'll most likely get one of those swim/bike shorts for comfort reasons. Eventually I'll get a road bike but for now I'm keeping on a tight budget.

So what are your stories? Anyone have budgets of $500 of less? $1000 or less? Have you been able to compete well?

This past year I pieced together a complete tri bike from an older frame, shimano 600 components and then basically a bunch of closeout stuff from online. All in all the bike ran me about $500. I then got some race wheels for about $250. I got 2nd in one race, 6th in another. Had a real good season. I'm actually moving to a bike that will fit me a lot better than the one I built up last year but I still can't imagine spending more than $1500 or so on a bike but a lot of people do it.

Living in MA, you may want to rent a wetsuit for your races. I took my time, several years, to accumulate stuff. Birthdays and holidays are a great time to add to your stash.

i did "spend" over $4k for my first race, but $3,100 of that was fundraised towards team in training.

$600 bike i still ride
wetsuit, hotel, EXCELLENT coaching, race fee part of fundraising (25% went to the olympic goal race)
$300 in run-up races (luckily, my area ran frequent weeknight sprints for $20, tops
$50 aerobars, $3 extra cage and bottle
$80 shoes, $20 clipless (lbs bargain bin)
$80 last-year's model tri suit (that i actually liked and that fit...mailorder?! go figure)
$30 helmet (bought with bike)
$6 socks (DEFEET!!!)
...and some indefinite supply of powerbars and Gu. (i have a wholesale club membership, and I watch for nashbar/performance sales)

this year? upgraded the helmet on sale. got xmas presents of good bike tights, booties, and lobster gloves for winter riding. got a gel flask. gave up on constant blisters, went to a running store, spent $70 on the perfect shoes on a "used to be a student and could be again" discount (gotta love the hard-core running stores). long-sleeve nashbar jersey. new tri suit for the big race. new computer (the one my lil bro lent me finally bit it). and because i moved, and didn't really have time to fundraise, i've spent a little more on bigger races, but the half-IM i did i chose because it was only $110 (still with a "technical fabric" tee, whoa.). you can do sprints that cost a good portion of that.

keep an eye out, and maybe be willing to get a little obsessive over your bike. i'm unwilling to shell out for race wheels (or any nicer wheels) yet, but it's the big thing i'm planning. well, aside from $130 for another registration. argh.

[edit: i have to admit i already had a gym membership, and used extra spinning classes all winter, then joined a pool. the local school pool did $200 a year, with very limited hours, but cheaper than the y. the gym was worth splurging on, just to always have somewhere to train to keep up the commitment. the first year, i swam only in free local lakes, with my boyfriend watching in case i drowned. heh.]

i got my first road bike used for $250 and raced fairly sucessfully on that for a while. for a bike, fit is more important for speed than anything else. really, until you start looking for overall or podium finishes, you don't need to drop a lot of money on gear. personally, i'd suggest a good coach before a good bike (i can refer you to mine if you like); it will make a bigger difference. as a chick, i eventually went to racing in a speedo swimsuit.

my road bike that i use i got for 50$ at a yard sale comleat with pedals and shoes,
bike shorts and even a t shirt works i have done 3 sprint distance tri's there was a wide range of componates,, some nice bikes some mtn bikes and a little of everything clothes wise, train train train and worry about the rest later