[isaac27]

hallo may name is isaac
i want to start training for my first half-ironman ,
i need to buy myself a new bike , that i can use on everyday for 2 hours ride
and pair that i can in half-ironman competition (hopefully one day)

Now i don't know what which kind of a bike to buy
a road bike or triathlon bike my budget around $1400

thanks for your help
isaac

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[flip18436572]

If you are serious about doing triathlons, I would say a "tri" bike. Otherwise I would say a road bike would be better money spent and add aerobars if you need to. Are you doing it for fun, or to win???? To win - tri, to have fun - road.

Just my opinion.

[isaac27]

thanks for your help

i am doing this for fun - so i would go for the road bike ....

thanks again
isaac

[thehammerdog]

If this is a new thing try a roadd bike and up grade into aero stuff as you go. $1,400 buys a nice bike. Aero bars, wheels can all be had after the fact. You could geta real Tri bike for about that either a Fuji or Schwin Prologe. However, unless you plan to be full time Jonny Tri/Bi boy go with a road bike. Remember the Fit is Key!!
Ride on Holmes.

[francismacomber]

Definitely go with the road bike...

When I got into tri from mountain biking, I went with a tri bike. Despite getting a smoking deal on a used bike from a friend, I wish I had got a road bike. When I want to ride casually with my wife or just go for a ride, I have to choose the uncomfortable experience of casually riding a steep seat tube angle tri bike or my fixed gear. The fixed gear is fine but doesn't replace having a geared road bike for certain types of rides.

Get a decent road bike (tiagra or 105 level) some clip ons and a wheel cover- you'll be 90% as fast as most tri bikes and have a more versatile setup. Oh yeah, what thehammerdog said, make sure it fits!

[tombiowami]

Highly recommend the road bike. I was in a similar position as you a couple years back and went the road bike after much thinking. Most road riding is done with others where a tri bike does not do well. I have some clip ons that I am just starting to use. Have done 5 short triathlons and did not use the aero bars at all. I am just now using them in prep for a half IM and full IM. To me the big fun of riding on the road is going with larger groups and running pacelines. Riding solo is very dull by comparison. If you end up loving triathlons and have a few extra grand to spend, then get a tri bike. You will by then have a better idea of what you really want and need. I ended up with the Felt F75 and would recommend it to anyone.
T