If you are not finishing in the top 5-10% and just looking to do 'well' does it really matter if you ride a road bike, tri-bike, or cyclocross with slicks?

I am preparing for my first sprint, I can do the distance no problem on different bikes. Thinking about riding a cyclocross (Jamis Nova) with slicks. The bike part is only 16 miles, which on a bad day, is almost an hour of riding.

Just looking to confirm that I do not need to borrow/rent anything else. Thanks.

Ride what you have, to see if you like the sport. Just pedal harder :-) I did my first sprint on my commuter bike, and was probably the only one whose bike had a bell and a rear rack.

lol, i got dragged into a triathalon many a year ago,

I grabbed the first bike i got my hands on, it had a basket on the front, but it did the job.

Use whatever you've got. I got passed by people on mountain bikes with knobby tires on my frist triathlon.

That reminds me... I need to get a bell before the next tri later this month.

My progression:

Mountain Bike w/slicks
Borrowed Road Bike
Rented Road Bike
Road Bike
Tri-Bike

Its inevitable......

My progression:

Mountain Bike w/slicks
Borrowed Road Bike
Rented Road Bike
Road Bike
Tri-Bike

Its inevitable......

For your 1st -- ride whatever you want. To answer your question -- I think it matters what bike you have in a sprint -- because chances are the more specific bike you have means you are more dedicated to the sport = better times.

I did my first sprint on a hybrid... about 25% of the bikes were non-road/Tri. Even in an Olympic I saw a few people on mountain bikes.

The point in which you have trained your body to be able to compete against the best in the world is the point in which the equipment really matters has always been my point of view. Until then, like everyone else said, use what you have! Determine if you like the sport, then buy the fancy, crazy stuff.

I just did my first on a Jake the Snake with slicks. I was fine, and since I was comfortable on the bike, the hilly course wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been. I agree with everyone, ride what you got.

I'm so slow the bike really doesn't matter.

If this is your first Sprint, by all means just use whatever you have. After 3 or 4 races if you still love it, then get a decent road bike or Tri bike. I have a road bike now, i have done about 10 tri's now, and now I'm shopping for a tri-bike.

I've done many tris at Olympic and sprint distance
I rode a road bike for a long time until about 2yrs ago
when I switched to a tris bike, the difference was huge, about 1 1/2-2mph faster on the tris bike
and like others have said my run coming off the tris bike seem easier
I now routinely place in the top 3 in my age group
which I didn't when on my road bike i also recently got a giro aero helmet and feel that it adds to my speed as well
its important to get a good fit though, and well worth the time and effort to thourghly try and ride many different tri bikes as theyre all very different
what feels right to you might not be the most popular
take your time and test ride alot!!! Itll be worth it
i probably spent atotal ofabout 40hrs test riding but in the end i got the perfect bike for me
(a scott plasma) good luck, and do alot of research

I just did my first team triathlon on my road bike and I was passing everyone, even those tucked down on their aero bars. The bike will matter, but how well you ride will matter more.

Indeed. Ride what you have and finish. I finished my first on my hybrid with clip-ons. I've now got a TT/Tri specific bike, because well... I'm addicted.

~fatBoy
https://trifatboy.com

I just bought some clip on aeros for the road bike and did really well (for my ability) with them. Really, the only reason I did that was to have an aero drink in front of me. Guess that means I spent all of $100 bucks on a tri bike, but I'm not a triathlete, I just do triathlons.

cliping aerobars onto a road bike does not make it a tribike
a tribike has a steeper seat tube angle putting you foward over the pedals more
And the tribike also has a longer more stable front end
what this does is open up your hip angle more when on the aerobars and give your more power as well
and makes spinning easier some people also feel that coming off the tribike running is easier as well
so if you want the fastest bike split ppssible the tribike is the way to go

Dance with the one that brung ya!

Having the "right" equipment will make a difference...is it enough to go spend tons of money on for your first sprint... no.