any advice on fast/raceable/durable commuter bikes?
 

hey all, Im new to the forum and am looking a purchase a bike, primarily for city communting, but i would also like to race it in triathalons.... any suggestions?

Ideally this bike would:
be really fast and light
be durable for those messed up LA roads
be not too expensive...max $600.

I was also thinking of maybe trying to build my own bike...

Marin hybrids were suggested to me, but I was going to throw it out to the forum for your advice. any suggestions are highly appreciated! thanks...

See the Road Bike Forum "Bikes under $700" Thread

If you're racing and commuting. Get two bikes.

Get one of the "under $700" road bikes, and a second set of wheels. Have thin lightweight tires (23mm) for the racing and thicker puncture resistant ones (25 or 28 mm depending on what will fit inside the brakes) for commuting.

As a fellow trimuter I have to agree with Operator, get two bikes. That said and out of the way, on to realistic advice.

be really fast and light
be durable for those messed up LA roads
be not too expensive...max $600.

Ancient proverb say "you may have light, durable, and cheap....pick two".

Not going to happen, I road my first year of triathlon on an older steel schwinn road bike. Passed lots of people on $3000 bikes. To get into triathlon you don't need a real expensive bike. Take a look at the thread suggested for under $700 bikes pick something durable in your price range, and do a lot of research. I had more to spend than you did on a tri bike. My entry level Cervelo was $1600 I couldn't find anything new that fit right for less and very few tri bikes cost less.

Check the tri forum here. also here are some links for you.

www.slowtwitch.com click on forum best tri info around lots of manufacturs and pros hang out there.
www.bikesportmichigan.com Where I got my bike, nothing for sale on the website, but tons of info, several nights of reading. tom the owner lives on slowtwitch and will happily answer questions.
www.trinewbies.com another forum full of good info more geared for a beginner than slowtwitch.

A decent road bike will see you through a lot of races. good luck

Based on you list of requirments I'd suggest an older used
lugged steel frame bike of quality make. Change the components
that you need to update the bike. If you do the changes with
an eye towards durablity first then the end product should
do any job you throw at it. Also, and ugly used bike for
commuting will discourage all but the most determined thief.
(This is a question that is NOT about a pretty bike but one
of durablity)

Any regular tri rider would need a training bike to avoid trashing their expensive race bike on the daily grind. A training/commuter road bike is quite viable, esp since you dont get snow in winter.
Fuji make a good-enough entry level model.
For winter commuting fenders are a good idea, so look for threaded eyelets. A generous amount of tyre clearance at the brakes is always good. 28mm is a good tyre size for all round training/commuter , but you can switch to racing width . Even better a set of race wheels.
Any bike in the $600 range will be durable enough for commuting.