I have been running 10 and 15k's and wanted to start triathlons, what type of bike is a good starter bike?

Question

I have been running 10 and 15k's and wanted to start triathlons, what type of bike is a good starter bike?

Answer 1

You can start with whatever you've got.   You're not going to win first time out, so do a couple of sprints to get the lay of the land.    Beyond that, hook up with a club or group, ask questions, and see what everyone else is running.  

There are a lot of decent bikes in the $1500-$2000 range, so its hard to recommend one.   Its kinda like running shoes...... the brand and model that work for me would probably give you blisters.

Triathletes tend to be gadget freaks, so that's another reason to hook up with a club.  Its entirely possible to get a really nice used bike when someone your size tires of last year's toy.  Lots of people started their tri-careers borrowing one of my old bikes for the first race or two.

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Edit:  I guess my point is, the bike I might have chosen out of the box would have been a lot different than the Cannondale I picked after training and racing for a couple of seasons on my then 20 year old touring bike.

Answer 2

a speed bike would b good 4 ya

Answer 3

Any decent road/racing frame would do fine.  I do them on a 20 year old steel frame Miyata - and do fine.

There are "triathlon-specific' bikes made - but those are generally set up for the really long triathlons, with aero bars for staying in an aerodynamic tuck for a long time and wierd geometry that may not be legal in a cycling race.  Triathlons generally don't allow drafting - so they are made more for super aerodynamic position.

But for a normal, run-of-the-mill triathlete - a decent road bike is fine.  If you are comfortable with aerobars (which I am not - too unstable) - you can alwals put aerobars on your bike for relatively cheap.

Get pedals that will clip onto the bottom of your shoes (the oddly-named clipless pedals) - this will give much more efficient transfer of force to the cranks.

Don't use a mountain bike or a "hybrid" with big tires - the big tires will slow you down.

The decent road bikes will cost upwards of $800.  If you are serious - the $1500-$2000 would be a better choice.  Anything less, you will be shorting yourself with bad components and poor construction.  You can get really good used frames sometimes on eBay - but you really have to know what you want and what fits before trying that.  

If you have a bike - and are unsure about whether you want to invest the money yet - just use your bike - or borrow a road bike from a friend if you don't have one.  You can get pedals and shoes - and put them on any bike - and you can later transfer those pedals to a new bike that you buy.  Once you do one race - and take a look at other peoples' equipment, you will start developing a sense of what you are looking for and then can become more serious about buying new.  Any known or reputable maker would be fine - whatever fits your body and is comfortable for you.  Buy from a shop where they will help fit you to the bike - don't order online, unless you already know what fits and exactly what you need.

Good luck - have fun.