Triathlon - Buying a Bike

I'm currently looking for a bike and I have no idea what to buy. I've done a few sprint and olympic distance triathlons on a trek 600 and a mountain bike and now i want to start getting competitive so I'm looking for a good triathlon bike. I would like to spend around $4,000 and I've looked at almost everything out there. Some people have told me that the trek team trial is the best while others say that cervelo p3 is the one to go with. Can anyone give me any advice on a good bike for me to buy?
P.S. Is it a waste of money to buy the trek team time trial instead of the cheaper but similar equinox 11?
Thanks for your help

i was just gonna suggest cervelo, but you beat me to it. The trek team time trial and equinoxes are great bikes, but just look at the following cervelo has. they have also come out with a carbon P3 sl. check out roadbikereview.com for some reviews. good luck

Thank you for your help

the trek may be a little more comfy over long distances due to the vibrstion damping properties of carbon, but a proper fit and a good saddle are much more important to comfort. good luck

Cervelo over Trek anyday.

I like carbon frames as well, look at Kestrel (popular among some of the pros). Felt has some great bikes but mostly aluminum, I believe their high end road bike is carbon though. Up to you on how much to spend. If you've only done a few so far, than maybe going top of the line timetrial is a bit much. Consider some of the other expenses as well. Wetsuits, Aerobars, Aero Wheelsets, "Race Fees", etc. Treks make great bikes so the higher end Equinox might be all you need. This line is fairly new so I haven't seen too many riders on them. I've mostly seem QR, Kestrel, and Cervelo.

Make sure to test them all as each will have a different feel and fit. Good luck.

How about a swiss custom made Cheetah?

I've been going back and forth whether or not to post this but what the heck...

If I were you, I would consider rolling back to $2,500 or so. IMO, once you get above two grand or so you're not really getting that much more for your money. You can get a great tri bike for that much with full Ultegra components, or if you really want to go full Dura-Ace you can spend a little more...still there are good deals out there to be had.

Earlier this year I bought a Specialized road bike with full Dura-Ace and Mavic Ksyrium Elite Wheels. It was essentially like buying the components and getting a free frame. Another friend of mine paid more than double for a Colnago but I don't think he got much more of a bike.

If you're anything like me, as soon as you buy your next bike, you'll start learning more and thinking about what you're going to buy next. Save the $1,500 and put it toward the next one. :)

This may not be popular with the group but it's just my 2 cents!

Good luck with your search.

OK...I'll back up my opinion with a couple of facts...

Check out http://www.all3sports.com/Category/CategoryID/102

The Cervelo P3 with 10-speed Dura-Ace is $2800...I'll bet that is WAY more bike than most people need (assuming the fit is good). The P3 SL is $3,800.

Seriously...Save the grand!!!

I wouldnt spend more than the 2800 on the P#.....but mind you if you have just a mountain bike you will want something more comfortable to hammer out all those miles on, and to go bunch riding etc on. I suggest the Cervelo Soloist range, you can get the Team frame, and build up with road going components such as drop bars. YOu can rotate the seatpost head around and clip on aerobars and become very aero.

Find out more at www.cervelo.com