I'll be doing my first tri this year. I currently have a MTB, but am looking for a new bike (as it's 12 years old). I have never had anything other than a MTB, but would like to get a road/tri bike. I'm not sure if I'll stick with doing tris but will be looking at biking on a regular basis. Would you recommend a tri or a road bike? I don't plan on doing any road racing or group rides...

As a newbie go with a decent road bike. Spend what you can because in the bike world more $ means better bike. If you enjoy the tri/biathlon scene you can always upgrade to aero bars, wheels and other goodies after you decide if it is for you. A good road bike is more fun to ride a full tri bike is a very specific aggresive bike.

Good Luck, how much do you plan on spending?

Last year I was in the same boat. I owned a MTB and was doing my first Triathalon. I considered putting street tires on my MTB but then a 30 year old Schwinn Traveler(30lb road bike) came my way for $50. I bought it and tuned it up and it worked fine. This year I will add alloy wheels and some other goodies to make it a little nicer now that I have the bug for both vintage road bikes and triathalons.

If you're only going to have one bike, get a road bike rather than a TT bike.

Once you're comfortable on it, look to add clip-on aero bars.

i agree with what has been posted, get a road bike to start and go from there. once you are addicted to racing, then you can upgrade ;)

check out craigslist.org to get something used. supply is of course variable based on where you are, but i picked up my road bike there, which only needed a little work and was really inexpensive, also found a great mt. bike there which was the same deal

question kinda piggybacking on the topic, whats a good set of aero bars to add onto a road bike? right now the only thing ive heart is the jammer gts but im not sure

Ceiph, I have Profile Design T2+ (or something like this) clip-ons on the road bike.

question kinda piggybacking on the topic, whats a good set of aero bars to add onto a road bike? right now the only thing ive heart is the jammer gts but im not sure

i second the vote for teh profile design t2+; I have used a variety of clip ons and these are reall designed well, stay in place when clipped on, comfortable, etc. profile makes some really high quality products imo

i agree with what has been posted, get a road bike to start and go from there. once you are addicted to racing, then you can upgrade ;)

check out craigslist.org to get something used. supply is of course variable based on where you are, but i picked up my road bike there, which only needed a little work and was really inexpensive, also found a great mt. bike there which was the same deal

I agree with most said, but the most important criteria is frame size. The down side of buying a used bike on craigslist is probably not being able to trying it out pre-purchase. If you're uncomfortable you won't race well and may get discouraged. But do shop around, especially this time of year as everyone is thinking about a new bike and what to do with the old one. Bargains can be had. Good luck.