I think it's a bit of both, but the cost of living is the biggest factor imo. Triathlons are already expensive with gear, travel, and entry fees—add rising costs, and it’s no surprise fewer people are signing up.
Unless you have a deficiency in a key nutrient, the only thing an IV drip will do is give you expensive urine. You will literally be pouring money down the toilet.
I'm not sure what the biggest advantage of a gravel bike over a mountain bike is, but I do know that for races or rides longer than 3 hours, comfort makes a big difference. Maybe it comes down to the individual ability to suffer.
I did the race two years ago on my mountain bike and found the loose sand and corrugation really tough on my body. I can only imagine how difficult it would be on a gravel bike.
And that's not cool. It feels like we're getting ripped off, not just overcharged. Instead of hiking prices, we should be making cycling affordable and accessible to everyone.
Ripping off your customers / making a profit.
From google: A business should make all the money it can using every tool at its disposal within a framework of ethics and morality. That's the profit motive. The profit motive is good when it operates within moralistic boundaries. Take away those boundaries and the profit motive becomes greed.
The problem is expensive bikes can deter newcomers and stunt the growth of cycling. High prices make the sport seem exclusive, turning potential riders away and keeping the community small.
To be honest I'm not worried about the weight at all. My concern with aluminum was that I'd heard it was more prone to fatigue and cracking, and that it loses its stiffness. However, this doesn't seem to be a significant issue.
I am looking at buying a Giant Revolt. I can get both of them for almost the same price.
Revolt 2 2020 - Carbon Frame with Shimano 105
Revolt 1 2022 - Aluminum frame with Shimano GRX
