Triathlon - QR Caliente vs Kuota K factor

I have been on a Trek 2.1 road bike for a year and want a full tri bike but need a comfort level that will be forgiving on my lower back. Want to be more aggressive but stay comfortable. I do want to be fast but when I road my friends P2C I was trippin on how forward it felt.....it was wierd. I imagine it will take some getting use to but which of these will be a better, faster, MORE COMFORTABLE, first tri bike?? Also, if I upgrade wheels and can only get one set for training and racing at this time, what should it be. I'm 5'10 @ 190#. I wanna be fast. QA Caliente or Kuota K factor, and what wheels for under a 1000?????
Thanks Forum

ummm tri bikes are forward. get used to it.

the only difference (well not only difference but the major one) between your trek and a tri bike is that tri bikes are more forward to improve aerodynamics. also your friend's P2C was probably fit for him, not you and in the tri set up (forward seat post hole). You could try the TT setup (rear hole) but that is less aerodynamic.

If you can swing it the P2 is about as good as you can get,
but here is an article on the kind of bikes you are looking at
http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/reviews/2500wars.shtml

As for wheels, well you really arent getting anything new for under 1000... well unless you mean 1000 per wheel. the wheels that come with the bike should be fine for a while (and the bonus of the QR Caliente is the come with slightly aero wheels) but you could look for some used zipps or hed 3s. If you get lucky and find a place where they are on sale, and a couple of years old the zipp 606 (404 front, 808 rear) I hear is the most aero and versitile system out there.

exactly, the issue with the firend's p2 is that it wasn't designed to fit you.

with that said, i would buy a cheapo p1 before either of the others. i've ridden those and they aren't too far behind p2 's or even p3's. i've never really been big on qr. not sure why, really, i just don't like their frames. but in all fairness i've only ridden one for like maybe a mile. i would pick the kuota though. they are solid in the bb where bigger riders tend to have issues and they are very well built. they also are very comfortable for a frame that allows a very tight tuck.

as for wheels, good luck! you can score no name carbon rims on ebay for under a g but i don't know first hand the quality. i think the issue is more that they are from asia and warranty/returns are surely complicated. from my experience sucking it up and getting the wheels you need from day one is the best way to go. if that means running crap stock rims for a season and coming back with your zipps next year, it might save you some headaches. trust me, buy some knock offs or cheapies and you'll still be dreaming of those 404's!

btw, i took 3 top 10 overall finishes (2 age group 1st place, 1 - 3rd) on a **** trek 1000 this year before i got my p3 finished. i blew by guys on a 10k+ pinarello, transitions, and p3's at every one of them. last year i used a madone with no aero bars or anything. yeah, i'm faster on the cervelo but not THAT much faster. just a reminder that the bike isn't what makes you fast.

Brian that is bad a$$. Stoked for you. I'm with you. I realize a fast bike won't make me fast and I am working really hard. Anyway, there is this fit guru everyone goes to near me and he seems to push the GR. He says it's the most bang for the buck. @ 2600 your getting Ult. front and D/A rear D. I am hot on the Kuota for reasons sirous said. Any way, PS seems the deal though. Maybe I should just ride my Trek for know and see what hapens. Thanks for the reply. Learned a lot

I ride a QRoo lucero lite and have loved it since i built it up. My good friend rides a caliente which rides just like it and I found her set up to be farely comfortable. The QRoo is tri specific and I;d recommend it to anyone. It is so smooth.

As for wheels you wont get anything new at that price. maybe somehting used on ebay or cl. if you want something new peloton cycles up in new jersey cuts some pretty sweet deals on hed wheel sets. thats where i got mine and im running stingers 60s and love them. they complement the QRoo very well. pm and i can give you the email for the sales rep.
ps i have no association with them. i work at another shop in nashville. just tryin to help you out