I thought after doing a couple 1/2's several years ago I was finished with Tri's. But at 57 years of age and retired I now have the time to put in to do a IM....I think. My question is I bought a Trek 7700FX (fitness bike) last year that has flat handlebars. Is there a way to remove or add-on for drop bars? I have aero bars but I thoght the drops would help over the long run. Or is this bike one that most IM competitors would laugh at? Thanks for any help. Not sure where I am going yet, but I have a year to get it done.

I don't think this would be a good idea. You would also have to get and recable the shifters, probably a new stem and seatpost as well.

Drop handlebars are only part of the problem. You also have very big, wide tires that will be slowing you down, very low gearing (mountain bike style) and a heavy bike. In addition you'd have a real hard time adjusting it to get in anything close to an aero position.

Bikes don't morph that well from one purpose to the next.

Thanks, appreciate both of your inputs. I guess I will have to "bite the bullett" and buy another bike. In fact, just returned from bike store and guy was trying to talk me into a Specialized Roubaix. I think I will go back to previous threads and see what the experts have recommended. Thanks Again.

I heartily agree with the other posters. It would be prohibitively expensive to change your current ride into a roadie.

I looked long and hard at the Spec Roubaix. Relaxed geometry, carbon stays, and full ultegra were hard to ignore. I went with the steel Jamis Eclipse instead.

Ride a lot of bikes until you find the one that you love. Buy that bike. Slap on a set of aerobars and forward seatpost. And most importantly, ride, ride, ride!

(Have fun too!)