how to improve my bike???

If you still have the knobby tires on it, get a set of semi-slick tires. That will make the ride quality improve a lot, at least on the road.

William

I have a similar problem in fact the bike I'm using is my WIFE's mountain bike so its too small for me knobby tires and all. I like to think it just makes me train harder but often times I worry it may actually hurt my training by spending 5-7 hours a week on it. Train smarter not harder right?

If I were you, I would have started saving money for a road bike. A road bike make a BIG difference.

Similar circumstances here.  I MTB that is probably too small for me with nobby tires on it.  I just bought some slicks but have yet to attempt to change the tire.  Too cold/snow/ect to ride outside yet plus the fact that I am not sure I can change the tires has kept me from doing so yet.  I am definately not very fast on it, maybe average 12-13 mph.   

thanks. do you have an estimation about a price for low price road bike equiped for tri-racing?

I bought my first road bike for $150. It is a mid 80's vintage Cannondale criterium series, it has 105 components that have not given me trouble at all and I have put quite a few miles on it. I would try to find an older bike like mine that was built with quality components rather than a 5 year old bike with low range components for the same price that will probably give you headaches. Plus as in my case it was a inexpensive way to find out if I like biking. Turns out I love it and I purchased a Fuji Aloha Tri bike last year. So hit the web and call all the local shops and watch the papers because you can find a deal if your persistent. Good luck.

If you stick with a known brand, I'm sure you can find a used bike locally or on ebay. Nothing wrong with a mountain bike if that's what you've got. However, as you get more into tri's, you'll want to upgrade to a road bike. Save, be patient and get a nice one.

Try to do the best you can with what you have now. If you are willing to invest a few $, then by all means get some slicks for racing and pump them up as hard as is possible. Also, remove anything from the bike that is not needed for the cycling leg: fenders, light, bell, pump, rack, stand, etc. Don't worry about riding a mtb in your first tri's; half the contestants in local tri's use them. If you do get into triathlons, then you can start to think of getting a tri-specific bike; just put your money aside until then and get a good one. You can get a good tri bike starting at around 1300AMD.

But cant I keep the bell and handle bar tassles puhleasssseee!?!

Okay...but only if it's a little bell and really nice tassles. BUT, no card pinned to fork to make a motor sound on the spokes!

.... and the little white basket with the pink and green flowers on the handlebars has to go too, soupa!

You guys take all the fun out of this.

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Tractoral has the right idea...a good used BRAND NAME bike like Cannondale, or Trek would be perfect. Not sure how common US brands are in Hungary, or the availability of a good selection of used bikes. Best to take along a knowledgeable cycling friend if possible to check on the quality. Road tires will make a huge improvement over mountain bike knobbies. And if buying a used bike, the place to not cut corners with quality is on the shifting mechanism. Derailleurs vary from very good to horribly abysmal...you definitely want to stay away from the latter. Go at least with a Shimano 105 series or better (Ultegra) as a bare minimum if you can afford it.

Max