Should I buy a Trek Equinox 5 (2006 new) for 850?

Question

I'm shopping for a road bike in the $1000 - $1100 range to use for training rides 15 to 40 miles along with racing in duathlons and eventually tri's (beginner/intermediate athlete). I was looking at the Specialized Allez Elite and the Trek 2.1 (both around $1100) but found a 2006 Trek Equinox 5 brand new at the bike shop, list 1299 on sale for 850 (presumably because it's 2 model years ago). Good deal?

Answer 1

Only a good deal if you can get them down to about $700.  Use the money you save for a decent aero helmet ($150).  I saw a used 2006 TTX sell for around 950 on ebay a few weeks ago and the components are much much better than the equinox 5.  If you plan to race tris and duathlons, i would recommend a tri bike and if you go out to triathletemag.com, there are several 08 bikes in your price range.  good luck.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...

Answer 2

Triathlon bikes are a little bit different from normal road bikes.  That trek equinox will probably have a steeper, more agressive seat tube angle, which will alow for a more aero position.  It also might have more aero tube shapes than normal bikes.  The equinox 5, however, is an all aluminum frame, so the aerodynamics of it are probably not as drastic as a carbon bike, where they can design the tubes in crazy aero weird angles.  However, it also includes a pair of aero bars which you will have to purchase separately  on another bike.

Triathlon/TT specific bikes are generally pretty expensive as it's kind of a specialized activity, $850 for a normal shimano 105 aluminum road bike might be a decent deal, but for a TT specific one, it might be pretty good.  I say go for it.  That bike will serve your needs as a beginner triathlete.  Just make sure it fits first!  Otherwise, you're better off with a better fitting walmart bike.