What is a good road bike for a beginner?

Question

My goal is to compete in a triathlon six months from now and I want a bike that can "grow" with me. Budget is 700-1000 but I am bike ignorant, any suggestions. I am also looking for good tips/sites on training, Any help is much appreciated.

Answer 1

Start off with a aluminum fame road bike. Ride with the regular pedals, work your way up to pedals with straps, then cleats. Be careful while riding, road bikes are alot lower than regular bikes.

As you progress, add earo bars to your bike, it will improve you riding by 2MPH.

Answer 2

My personal recommendation is to start cheap. I mean dirt cheap. If you're a beginner and are not 100% sure that you're going to keep doing triathlons routinely, I would not spend more than $200 on your first bike plus gear. Especially since you have so much time until your first race. If you spend 5-6 months training hard on a P.O.S. and get a good bike once you decided to keep doing tri's, you'll learn how to work harder for every extra bit of speed and make the most out of whatever you're riding. Going this way will also give you time to learn more about bikes and what you're getting for your money.

I know there will be naysayers that will tell you that you should spend X amount of money on a bike and that you can't be competitive or even finish a tri if you don't. Distance yourself from these people as much as possible!

Last summer I spent <$150 for my first bike setup (including helmet, new pedals, spare tube, and tri-shorts) and 10 weeks later I took 2nd in 25-29 age group at my first tri. That has been my favorite race so far, because I was so proud of myself for passing people on $1000-2000 road bikes and never getting passed by someone who wasn't using aerobars. For my next race I borrowed a friends Specialized Allez Elite and felt like I was riding a lightning bolt after training on my clunker. Last fall my P.O.S. was stolen on campus so I decided to just use a stationary bike for the winter and wait for the perfect deal on a good tri bike. I now ride a Cervello Dual that I absolutely love and the bike has gone from being my weakest event to my strongest. I've done a sprint and olympic distance this year and have yet to get passed on the bike and I'm hoping for a 1st place Clydesdale performance by the end of the season. I believe all of this is possible due to the work ethic I developed on my clunker and that immature desire to show up the guys on their shiny expensive bikes.

For training plans, check out:

http://www.trinewbies.com/tno_trainingpr...

Since you have the time, I would recommend combining their beginner sprint and olympic distance plans. Do the sprint plan about half way through to build a decent base to work with, then start over with the olympic and use that until your first race. If you stick to the plans, I guarantee you're time will be better than what you can imagine right now.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Trek Equinox 7 $1,749.99 ! I know it sounds expensive, but if you are serious about triathlon training, you will be glad you spent the money. See if your local Trek dealer will finance it or try lay away!!! Don't go cheap on this one! Good Luck !!!

P.S. The money you will spend also represents a commitment to a new lifestyle. One that focuses on your health for the rest of your life. High end Tri-bikes go for $8000, this bike will probably be your first bike.