Triathlon - i need help (bike suggestions)

hello!

i'm new the to forum. i discovered this place while doing various searches for bikes. i've been looking for a bike and i am overwhelmed!!!! here's the situation: i do not bike...at all. i know nothing about bikes. however, i'd like to start biking. i work out and do lots of endurance training and cardio...and i've recently got it in my head that i want to be in a triathalon. so i need to get a bike...and i have to start riding/training.

but i don't know what to get. i know my budget is $2000. that's $2000 total...tax, shipping (if i get it shipped), any extra bits i need.

while doing searches, i found these bikes from bikesdirect.com...motobecane bikes. but the reviews are pretty polarizing so i don't know what to think of them. please suggest some bikes for me!!!!!

thanks!!!!!!

Welcome to the forums, and to bicycling!

You may want to try posting ths in the Tri forum, or juet reading through it so you can narrow down your question a little. If you haven't already, say hi in the Intruductions forum as well.

oh yeah...one more thing...

how do i size myself for a bike?

If you know nothing about bicycles, you should consider dealing with a local bike shop.

i dropped by the local bikeshop...but their selection of bikes was so paltry compared to what's available online...the prices were RIDICULOUS compared to ordering online...and the customer service there was lacking to say the least.

my buddy also says most of the staff is incompetent...he had to have his lemond bike fixed a last year for something and they scratched the heck out of his frame in the process.

i think it's in my best interest to find help online and buy online...and rely on local biking hobbists for fixing, adjusting the bike (there are some local biking clubs/societies/groups i'd join as soon as i got on my feet a bit as a cyclist).

how about the 2007 Kestrel Talon Ultegra Aero? seems nice...barely within my price range but that's ok.

Go to the bike store and figure out your size then order online or take a stick, put in between your legs and measure from the stick to the ground....

Find another LBS!

www.wrenchscience.com has a fit calculator that will get you in the neighborhood. As for the bike, it depends if you are only going to tri with it or ride some regular road rides. The Felt S32 (http://www.feltracing.com/products/product.asp?catid=18,20,51&pid=25) is a good compromise and is well within your range price wise.