I don't do triathalons yet but I may be doing my first one this summer. I bought this bike a year ago off Craig's list and since then have been doing a fair amount of long distance cycling, centuries, commuting and general riding of about 150 -200 miles per week. I am recreational, not a racer, but I do like to go fast and watch my own personal times etc.... My question is: besides the aerobars on this bike, how is it different from a road bike. I have read the basics of tri vs road bikes but I don't totally understand all the differences. Would I gain better times over long distance with a road bike? Would it be easier on the body with a road bike?

There are a lot of differences, the big ones are:

More acute seat tube angles. This allows you to save more energy for the run because it forces you to only use part of your leg for the bike.

More aerodynamic. This is so when you go down into your bars, you have the most aerodynamic position available to cruise in.

You'll often ride faster on a tri bike than a standard road bike over the long distances, but that's because of the aero position. Most that I have talked to say road bikes are more comfortable over the long haul though.

James

Assuming your fit is correct...and that you do most of your riding alone...you should be fine on this bike versus a true roadie. The main differences are the body position and the aero tubing.