Should I upgrade my wheels?
Back in 2019, I wrote an article for Parcours, about how women feel they aren’t deserving of buying the ‘good bike’ or the good apparel or the good wheels? Has that changed six years on?
On Saturday 11th October, it’s the Ironman World Championship, in Kona, Hawaii. A women only race, and likely the last time we have a women only World Championship, as in 2026 we move to one day, men and women (back) together.
So, whilst we celebrate all things amazing female triathletes, I thought it good to remind all women… you do deserve to buy those wheels!
In the UK, England (Red Roses) just won the Women’s Rugby World Cup. It was a sell out stadium of 81,500 at Twickenham (Allianz Stadium) for the final. The largest ever crowd for a women’s rugby match. The second largest crowd at a Rugby World Cup Final, men or women’s! (The largest crowd was in 2003 England v Australia, in Australia, yes that Jonny Wilkinson drop goal.) This summer the England Women’s Football team (The Lionesses) won the European Cup, defending their title.
There is a real swell in the support for women’s sport, and so there should be. The women are kick ass and kicking asses! Yes, there is still a long way to go, and we need numbers to be sustainable all year, not just at major championships, but we are getting there.
And I’ll say again, you deserve that nice cycling kit, that good wetsuit, those fab bike wheels.
I don’t think it’s a case anymore (or the majority of cases) where there aren’t women’s equivalent available, and it was just ‘shrink it and pink it’. There is a lot of progress in designing and developing women’s specific equipment. I think it’s just that women, for many reasons don’t think they deserve to buy X.
It’s also interesting as studies show that women’s sports fans are active consumers. Reports found women’s sports fans spend more per year on merchandise than men’s sports fans, demonstrating significant purchasing power. But is this because women are craving community, so by purchasing merchandise, they have a sense of belonging? Also, is this more around fans and watching sport, rather than those competing buying kit relevant to that.
Data also shows the women have significant control and influence over the spending power in the house. But whilst this may be the case, this could be that, that influence is on what they buy for others and the house/family as a whole, rather than themselves. Perhaps that’s just it. Women will buy for others, but reluctant to invest in themselves.
Is it because we aren’t good enough at showcasing the amazing women, creating role models, and telling their story? Is it because with men, their results are good enough to be applauded, yet for women, it’s always your results AND another story or something else that makes you impressive. So, there is an additional pressure to have a story to tell as well as your results in the sport? Does that make the women feel even more special and we watching on, aren’t as good? But that doesn’t match up with the data that shows most fans find women more engaging and relatable.
For me, I get a buzz and feel good if I’m putting on my favourite cycling kit. I feel it gives me a few extra watts. I love my Factor bike and smile when I get to ride it. I have clothes (not many lol) that aren’t lycra and I enjoy wearing them and they make me walk a few cm’s taller. That little investment in myself, be it the kit I use for training and racing, or even just that coffee in that lovely café today, but the little I invest in myself can go a long way.
So yes you deserve to buy that wetsuit that makes you feel a little stronger, or that kit that gives you a buzz and a few extra watts when you put it on. Those wheels, that make the bike feel like it flies along just a little bit faster.
One of the great values about Parcours wheels is that they are making aerodynamics accessible to everyone.
“We make aero wheelset that has proven engineering credentials and doesn’t cost the earth”
Parcours are the first to make aerodynamics accessible and take overpriced options from established players, or under engineered options – built to a price that is more affordable and accessible to everyone.
Whether it’s a café ride with friends, or a bike race or triathlon event, Parcours will help you feel that extra bit lighter as you fly along on your bike! For more information https://www.parcours.cc/pages/about-us
But yes, you, yes you, do deserve to invest in yourself. A happy athlete is a fast athlete!
