Hi, I'm a mom who is looking to purchase a triathlon bike for a graduation present for my daughter. She's been a competitive swimmer for years, but has started doing triathlons this year and likes the sport alot. Right now, she is riding her dad's old road bike, but we'd like to get her a new bike. A few things that I'm considering, the Trek Equinox 7, Felt s32 or Felt t23, and Specialized Vista Multi-Sport.(price range $1300-$1999). Any advice/comments or suggestions (even for a different bike) would be appreciated! Thank you.

If you want to make sure it is a top notch gift, I would consider getting her fit, then pick the bike. It might kind of ruin the surprise of the gift, but it would ensure that she would be comfortable with the bike. The last thing you would want would be to get her a bike but not have her really feel comfortable on it. Felt and Trek make great bikes, another one that has great value would be the Cervelo Dual, ultegra outfitted would be in that price range. What a nice mom and dad!

Definitely get her fit before selecting a bike for her.

+1 to the others, fit is very important, with that being said, the Specialized Vista Multi-Sport is the only woman geometry bike of the group and I would lean toward that one. If later on she decides she dosen't want to do tri's, she will still have a very capable road bike

*edit* and it is under the price range you are looking for

YOU ARE THE BEST MOM EVER. :) congrats on her graduation.

Would you consider adoption? If so I'm available.

Which state do you live?

Trek has a nice product (I have 2-Trek bikes), but I would recommend The Cannondale Ironman-3 or if you can afford it the Ironman-2 bike as it will be Shimano Ultegra 10-speed and even some Dura Ace components (Dura Ace is the top of the line in Shimano components) - this translates to just better components and are lighter in weight. If she really gets into this sport than for about $2500.00 for the Ironman-2 you get a bike that is really race ready. Mind you that top end bikes are anywhere from $5,000 - $15,000.
All Cannondale Ironman frames are the the same design, and a design which has been proven to be some of the fastest bikes at the World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. Between the Ironman 1, 2 or 3 it is the components that make the big difference which translates to weight savings and quality.
I have the Cannondale Ironman 5000 bike which is equal to the Ironman-1 bike in todays line-up. I have raced it in (2) 1/2 Ironman events and 1 Olympic distance event and have done several Time Trials with it. It is a very fast bike, excellent quality, some of the best paint around - and built in the USA.
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/06/cusa/cats/road_er_ironman.html

the specialized WSD (woman specific design) Vista is the way to go, but +1000000000 on the fit.
A crummy bike that fits is worth 20 high dollar bikes that dont