Triathlon - New Bike Advice

Hopefully the regulars here don't get sick of dispensing advice...

I am fairly new to triathlon. I have completed a Sprint, and am signed up for 2 more plus an Olympic this year. After the first Sprint I knew that a mountain bike (even with slicks) is NOT the way to go. I am in the market for a new bike. This website has been good for advice and info, but I am confused.

I have never been on a road bike. I know I can learn, but I am unfamiliar with geometry, components, etc. The best advice I have seen is to find a bike that is comfortable, but I also want a bike that does all the things I want. As I mentioned, it will primarily be a tri bike. However, I also commute to work often, and would like take day trips on the road, and also trail ride in the mountains (not hardcore downhill, groomed trails). With this criteria, I was thinking a Cyclocross bike. All I have read, the Cross bikes are not as aggressive as pure road bikes, a bit more comfortable, but still quite fast on the roads. Can someone give me an opinion in layman terms? Keep in mind I am progressing to Olympic sized tris, but likely no further (at least for now).

As always, help is appreciated.

CB

I would say eep your eyes on a roadie. Use your current MT Bike for the off road type stuff

2 specific bikes is probably better than 1 do all bike considering the great range of demands you have.

Rather than make you search all the old threads on this topic, I'll summarize what I *think* is the consensus here, based on reading this forum for the past year or so...

Get a road bike. You can add aerobars if you want. If you fall in love with triathlon after doing some, you can get yourself a tri-bike in the future. You'll "learn" very fast. And keep your mountain bike for your weekend trail rides. Ride the roadie to work. And road bikes aren't uncomfortable if they fit you right.

The question of cyclocross has never (in my experience) come up here, so I don't know how to answer that for you!

Road- Versatile enought to allow your commutes to work, and with the addition of clip on aero bars, fast enough for any tri.
Tri Bike-Exactly what you need for a tri. A little tough for the daily commute scene.
Cylocross-The do all bike for what you want. The pros are, it can take the double track I assume is the offroad you mean, as well as it CAN ride decent on the road(Bonus-it is great in the winter time for commuting too). Cons, It is quite heavy, not near as fast as a true road bike on the road, and not even the same galaxy as a tri bike.


So I echo everyone else in saying. Road bike, clip ons, keep your mountian bike for your off road stuff.

Well it is unanimous...

Everyone I talked to said get a road bike. So, a road bike it is! Thanks for the help, and advice.

Now the hard part, which bike? That is a decision I will make myself...

CB

Update: Just got my Cannondale Synapse Alloy 3. Hope all you 'Dale fans accept me in the club...

I love mine! (C'dale R5000)

I started out with a cheapo giant road bike..I decided, if I don't like triahlon, i can sell it, and it won't be a big waste! After a season, I stepped up to a cannondale...i think it was an R400 and then, my baby, an Opus Vivace Custom.

It takes a while to learn. If you have biked your whole life, you will likely get the hang of things.

wait a minute...that was quick...you got a new bike already?

lol oops my bad, I didn't read the dates right :D