Well I did a super sprint tri on it after changing the Knobbies to some slicks (700 x 32mm).. Improved over the knobbies by about 2mph average..... BUT the bike was still VERY humbling as there simply is no way to get the speeds that road/tri bikes can get (I actually road the course with a friends road bike and average a little more than 4mph over the course compared to even what I got on the "slicks on the 29er)..... (that is a HUGE difference in a race.) ... I am ready to buy a bike now before my first sprint next month.. now the serious search begins.. Going to have about $1500... any suggestions of those that I need to consider and try in person..