Differences in bikes?

[Santaria]

Recently I was talking with the owner of my LBS and he mentioned that he had a '5-year old Cannondale Multisport 800 with 105 all around' for $250. I kinda put it at the back of my mind because I am still very unsure I will be able to actually do a tri, and I'm looking towards a Litespeed (2003) my wife and I have agreed upon for next years MS150.

Some humor to add to the mix:

I came back to ride mountain bike again after a year hiatus, and found that I'd rather just ride roads (I hated clearing spiderwebs from unused trails locally anyhow, damn tarantulas). I've smoked regularly for 17 years (I'm 32), and haven't ran since bootcamp, nor have I swam in about 10 years. But, this weekend, I quit smoking. I also started running again (I can actually still sprint a mile) and oddly enough can afford to lose another 50 lbs. (imho, wife says she don't think so, I say I think it's smart). I grew up in California and have surfed most of my life, so the swim doesn't have me too scared (I surfed North Shore for 3 years in Hawaii).

So I guess the biggest confusion for me is this:

What's the difference between a bike like the Multisport 800 (105 is a good groupo) and a stock Litespeed road bike (ali)?

And, how do you start to train for tri's?

Mucho thanks in advance,
Santa

[Gonzo Bob]

A triathlon or multisport bike is a specific purpose bike that is meant to be ridden for multisport training and racing. Most of these bikes put you in a more forward and lower position than a road bike. As such, they are often less comfortable to ride, especially for leisurely paced riding.

Since you seem unsure about doing the triathlon and you will be riding the MS150, I recommend passing on the Multisport 800 and going with a road bike.

[H2OChick]

Hey way to go on quitting smoking! Now with all that money you'll save you could buy BOTH bikes! :) Hope it's not too hard. Don't give up!

[Panoramic]

105 componentry for $250 is a steal, isn't it?

[audiojan]

For $250, you can't go wrong! It's a nice bike, but it's not designed for road... If I remember right, the 800 does have clip-on aerobars with dropbars and STI shifters... This would make the bike versitile enough to ride in group rides. If it does have bar-end shifters, I would not attempt to join group rides with it... Most of the time, people get p***ed if you try to ride in the aerobars... Simply a bit too dangerous.

[cjbruin]

I would definitely buy this bike for $250 if it fit me. Here's a link with the info on it http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/00/cusa/model-0RM8.html

What size is the frame? If you decide not to buy it, can you hook me up with the seller?

[Santaria]

CJ, sorry, the minute I went to find out more about the bike, I was informed it was sold:(

On the high point, I ran a total of 10 miles this week, road 25 and rollerbladed another 5, and haven't had ONE cigarette at all, and after the third day, haven't had any real cravings either. Irvine eh? I'm originally from Ontario/Chino/Montclair/West Covina/Baldwin Park area myself (my dad moved around a bit when I was a kid, when he remarried we settled into Chino)

[H2OChick]

Keep it up with the non-smoking! I'm rootin' for you!