Episode 126: DC Rainmaker on triathlon tech, what matters, what’s noise, and what to buy next

This week on Another Triathlon Podcast, Josh (@joshmvernon) and Fede (@fedemultisport) sit down with Ray Maker, aka DC Rainmaker (@dcrainmaker), who you will know from his popular YouTube gear reviews HERE, for a no fluff conversation about the gear choices triathletes obsess over every off season. Ray joins from Amsterdam, mid move, surrounded by boxes and pallets, and still manages to deliver exactly what he has built his reputation on for 15 plus years, honest reviews, clear explanations, and consumer first advice.

Jenna (@jennacaer) is deep in race prep for Qatar, so this one is a Josh and Fede episode, and it hits every big question athletes ask when they are trying to buy speed, buy simplicity, or just avoid wasting money on something that looks cool but does not work.

From beginner watch setups and bike computers, to heart rate straps vs armbands, HRV trends, crash detection, satellite SOS, and why swim tech has barely moved in a decade, Ray lays out what actually matters and why.

Highlights
• How DC Rainmaker started, from an Ironman training blog to the most trusted tech reviews in endurance sport
• Why price matters, and why every product review should be framed through value
• What makes a product good, does it do what it claims, do new features work, do old features break, is it worth upgrading
• Swim tech reality check, why innovation has been minimal, what breaks open water GPS tracks, and why Form goggles are the one company pushing forward
• Bike tech today, what has improved, what hasn’t, and why pacing tools and course planning are the real gains
• Beginner triathlon setup, what to buy first, where to save money, and why older top tier watches can be incredible value
• Power meters, why Favero pedals are the sweet spot, and when it makes sense to add a power meter at time of bike purchase
• HRV, what it’s good for, why trends beat day to day obsession, and how alcohol, sickness, and poor sleep show up instantly
• Optical heart rate in 2026, when wrist sensors are great, when they struggle, and why armbands might be the accuracy king
• Ray’s simple race day gear list, mid range bike computer, power meter pedals, and a high end watch, plus why Coros wins on value

Quickfire Q&A
• What should a beginner triathlete buy first, a good value triathlon capable watch, then decide if a bike computer and power meter actually match your goals
• Chest strap, wrist, or armband, armband is often most accurate, especially when sweat and cold weather mess with chest straps
• Is HRV worth paying attention to, yes, but use it as a trend and an early warning, not a daily scoreboard
• What is the hardest part of auto transitions, T2 to run, because the watch cannot know where that exact line is
• What is Ray showing up with in a few years, a trusted mid range bike computer, Favero power meter pedals, and a high end Garmin watch as a reference level setup

Guest: Ray Maker

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