My first Tri bike
 

Hi , i have been riding afew years a quite a good level. The members of my cycling club reckon i should get a tri bike and take it abit more serious. I have saved around £1k, sterling. Im not really sure if i want the full tri bars or normal shifters with a tri-bar extension. ~im 5'11" and my 2 road bikes are both 56cm. Is the sizing the same for as a road?
as a first tri bike, but i might also take it on club runs. although i have other bieks i can use.
There 2 bikes i have been looking at for arousnd that price, your advice will be gladely appreciated.
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70838
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=60966

http://www.evanscycles.com/large_images/Z1401X_BIG.jpg
http://www.evanscycles.com/large_images/Y5897Q_BIG.jpg

If you've already got a road bike, then I think a tri bike with a full aero front end would be a better choice. Really, you should try and ride a few bikes and find one that fits you well.

The Trek and Felt have completely different fit characteristics, different seat tube angles, top tube lengths, etc. So its not a choice of which one is better, which one is right for you is the question. Roughly, long torso, short legs, look at the Felt, long legs, short torso, look at the Trek. Less agressive-Trek, More aggressive-Felt.

Most people ride a size smaller TT bike than their road, 60cm road and 58cm tri for me.

if you alrady have a decent bike already spend the money on wheels Zipps possibly:D

Since you are in the UK, have you looked at the Planet X Stealth?

Currently on special with 20 bikes at £999, sterling

http://www.planet-x-bikes.com/tt/ind...ge&PAGE_id=223

A reasonably aero frame 76 degree seat tube angle (frame rebadged used by a lot of different companies), with a reasonable build kit which you can update later if you desire.

As for fit, general rule of thumb is to go down a size from your current road frames, so 54cm as you ride 56cm bikes. But always try to test ride first if you can.

I'm not really a huge fan of Planet X bikes, not because they're bad bikes, but because they definately look aero without actually being aerodynamic. That said, I've seen only positive reviews of them and it is definately the equal or superior to any other bike at that price range in many ways besides aerodynamics.

If you are serious about a tri bike I recommend trying to ride the Planet X and if it fits, get one at that price.

Agreed Triguy. But in comparison to the Trek and Felt...