NOOB question

[MWinzeler]

This summer my friends/coworkers and I are going competing in a triathlon in the Mackinaw, Cheboygan area. It's a first for all of us. I have experience in long distance running and swimming. However, in cycling I have no bike, no knowledge, and no experience. Right now I'm putting miles in on a cheapie mountain bike, my dad uses to putz around his cottage. My friend just picked up a used Giant CFR2 (not sure about the model), and the rest of them will be doing something similar. I've been reading and looking around for a little while. I seem to be focusing on the Trek 5200 (mostly because I can get an 04 for $1400 that has lots of extras). Can you all let me know if I should look harder at that deal or look around for more of an actual triathlon bike? Any help will...well...help. Thanks.

[Dalai]

Hi MWinzeler,

congratulations on taking that first step into the world of Triathlons.

As to a bike suggestion, if you are just planning on having just the one bike and do a lot of training out on the road. I personally would recommend a bike with typical road bike geometry like the Trek you are looking at and brifters (STI - brake/shift levers). And for races adding aerobars and moving the seat forward to open up the hip angle slightly.

Only if you start to take Triathlons more seriously would I recommend you buying a second 'triathlon' specific bike with a more forward seatpost geometry and bar end controllers (gear levers on the ends of the aerobars). As during training especially in traffic, brifters and no aerobar tends to be safer as your hands are always closer to the brake levers!

Make sure what ever the bike you buy is the right size! Listen to the salesmans recommendations (if a quality bike store), but also back that up with possible fit recommendations from sites such as http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO To confirm they are not just trying to clear a bike off the showroom floor but selling you a bike which will be the right size!

Ciao Martin

[^*^BATMAN^*^]

Well, I will say the same thing I say to everyone. Unless you are planning on riding your bike alot. Use the mountian bike for the first tri. Just throw some slicks on it, and go get a proper tune up from your local bike shop. That way it will cost you like $100, as oppsed to $1500. This is just incase you dont like triathlons, I dought it, but you never know. Do your first race, then see how you feel. Then you are into the wonderful world of buying a new bike. Then you have options. Like dalai said, you can get a typical road bike, or a tri/TT bike(use the search button at the top of the page to find threads were the differences have been discused countless times). When the time comes, if you are still into it. I would say go for a tri bike. You can still train just fine on it. Though watch out, cycling is an addiction, I am up to owning 4 bikes....and I am only 21.

So in conclusion, use what you got for your first race. Spend you time training on it. If you like the sport(i know you will), come back, then we can talk bikes. Unless you want to buy the bike, the 5400 is decent. Price...depends on the condition, year, components...ect.

[Ironwoman]

That is a great deal for the TREK 5200! If it fits you, it would be a great first tri bike.

The first bike I got and used for Triathlon was a TREK 5200. I loved that bike! The only reason I got a new bike was because of a bike accident where I was hit by a car. I did 6 Ironman races (and of course the qualifiers as well) on my TREK. You see a lot of TREK 5200's at Ironman. True, it is not tri specific, but with a forward seat positioin and clip on bars it works quite well. I found it to be more stable and more comfortable for riding long distances or in difficult conditions (cross wind, traffic, etc) than my Tri bike. I highly recommend a TREK 5200.