What is a good starter road bike for a first triatholon?

jeremy c: What is a good starter road bike for a first triatholon?
Im training for my first triatholon and am looking for a good road bike for the riding portion. I have been training on a stationary bike at the gym and am needing to get some miles done on a road bike. Ive looked at some local, Houston Tx, bike shops and the prices are well over what I want to spend on a bike. Any suggestions on brands and dealers would be great.

Answers and Views:

Answer by Bozz NC
Ebay! Start with bikes 4 years and older, aluminum, at least 10 speeds. Riding in a Tri is a lot like riding a century. Bike fit and comfort are more important than saving weight. If your position and pedal stroke are comfortable to you, chances are they’re more efficient as well.

Then, invest in a set of Tri Aero Bars.. around 60 bucks, and practice with them. More than you think you should! If you wait till the day of your triathlon, you’ll dump, wipe, face plant, or hurt someone else the first time you get the wobbles. Make sure you’re riding intervals and sprints, not just long distance, low effort spins on an exercise bike.

Anything by one of the larger cycle manufacturers will suit you fine as long as you’re comfortable with the bike, it has a big gear you can spin for an hour at high speed, and you rack up the seat time in prep for race day. Good Luck!

And to the Chris S below me.. I agree seem like they are a purely optional expediture, but I have found that they come in very handy when resting your arms and shoulders before or after a long swim. My Veloton group actually restricts their use in TT due to 2 or 3 guys riding aero bars in a paceline last year. A direct result of poor planning on the part of the organizers, but needless to say, that particular group ended up with a broken clavicle, a broken collarbone, three green-stick arm fractures, and yards of road rash!

Also, Have to ditto the shoes and pedals. Most of all though, be comfortable. Dont buy new gear the day before your Tri. If you havent trained in or on it, chances are it will just hurt you.

Answer by Chris S
Look at some local used bike shops. If hey do not have any, then your best bet is Ebay, as mentioned above. However I wouldn’t get something too old. Go for maybe a good 2 years old. Depending on how much you ride, they can get a lot of miles on them. last season I probably put around 2,000 miles on my bike, but it still works fine. Some of the lower end Trek bikes are good for about $ 1000-$ 1500. Specialized also makes some good lower end road bikes.

If you are new do you have shoes, pedals and a helmet. After the bike purchase those are the bare essentialls and will run you at the least about $ 150.

I really dont think , if you are worried about money, that aero bars are quite essential. Coming from my perspective I am strictly road, so we just ride with the wind and if it gets bad, hit those drops.
If you get a road bike, make sure it has drops, (they are the curved down bars underneath your tops and hoods) then in a triathalon get confortable riding in those drops.

Sorry to the tri guy, we cyclists just tough it out, just kidding though, I use aeros and a good set of 20’s in TTs.

Good Luck practicing and racing,
Chris
Remember to drink ALOT And to get botle cages and a carb gel if you feel tired or lose your energy quickly.
Eat a carby dinner and a light carb breakfast, maybe a little cereal a few hours before. The more time you are awake in the morning of the race, the better you will do and feel