Going to start looking for new bike.. need some suggestions and plenty of questions

Email sent..

Any other opinions?

Give us a little more background into your tri - training life and where you want it to go?

On the one hand there is no reason you can't ride a Mt bike for tri's and training for years and never need to switch.  For others they want a tri specific bike strait out of the box.  What I am getting at is what have you done?  What do you want to do in the near future?  What differenc will a new bike make?  Are you trying to be competitive?  How fast/far do you ride, how often? What do you want to do in the far future?

Personally, I don't like spending lots of money on equipment till I know why and what I am spending the money on/for and it moves me in the direction I am looking.

Michael

I completed my first Tri (a super sprint) this past Sunday, with only 3 weeks of training under my belt... but it was a great "learning" experience..  I have my first Sprint in 30 days... so that gave me only 8 weeks total to train.  I am ultra competitive and have always been very athletic in multiple sports which continued into my 30s...  Finally gave up my traveling sports (flag football and softball) about 2 years ago.. to be home with my family, and got out of shape....  and that has driven me to Triathlons.. and I am hooked on the training.  I have a USAT trained coached here in my town working with my training schedule to help me get ready for my Sprint... and sure I want to be competitive (on the amature level)... They write our times down and rank us and post the results... so yeah it does matter...  but do understand it will take some time and tons of hard work and discipline....  I am training hard and plan to do a Sprints next year early... while running 5k and 10k and work my way up to the Olympic Distance by summer.  Half marathon by end of next year, and HIM in 2010...

 As far as road vs tri bike... that is my problem, not sure which way to go... but I do want to compete, so I am not going with the 29er anymore..  I don't want the "base entry" level as I know I will only want to trade up way too soon.. and the "boss" or "wife" would hit the roof... but I also don't need the best of the best anytime soon yet either..

It sounds like your competitive side is pushing you harder to make a decision sooner rather than later   I know how you feel.

IF you are only riding for training and Tri's (mostly on your own?) then I would go strait to a Tri bike.  IF you ride on the street with groups and plan on doing more riding events as part of your training I think I would probably start with a road bike with aero bars.

Personally, I think you should stick with what you have currently and get a full season under your belt (at least till the middle of next year).  By then you will have a better understanding of what you want, how much you are willing to spend and understanding of what the bike will do for you now and in the future. 

The difference in your times for a sprint on your Mt. Bike compared to what they would be on a nice Road bike or Tri Bike is only going to be a few minutes.  Wait till you know exactly what you want and buy it when you are ready.

Just my .02

Michael

Good info guys..  I will find dealers for those models you have suggested.. and check them out in person..

 I did like the Felt S22 in person.. but it was too big for me, so I didn't get to ride it... but I have found on in my size at a very good price. Any negatives or drawbacks on this one..

 I love look of the QRoos Teqillo and Kilo...  any thoughts or negatives on those, as I have never seen them in person.

 How would the Felt S22 stack up against the Kilo and Tequillo?  Specs wise would you consider them very similar or does one offer a better price/value for what you get.

Why not look at the Cervelo S1?

chevy57