train vs race and std road vs tri bike questions.

I have always believed that a road bike with clip-on aero-bars was the best machine to start with.  A road bike is great for riding with others.  A tri bike is not.  Clip-ons work pretty darn well to get you aero.  Yes, you will be in a slightly better position and more aero with a tri bike but, if you aren't trying to win your age group, I wouldn't bother until you are really sure you want to race these things.  I did my first two IM's on a road bike with aero-bars and finished better than MOP. 

Right now, I don't have a road bike and I feel very limited as friends suggest a group ride and I have to decline.  If you stick with the sport, you will eventually end up with three bikes:  a roadie, a mountain bike, and lastly the tri bike.  You may also end up with an angry spouse and not enough room in the garage, but that is a different story.

 

I have two bikes, both of them tri bikes. One is for not-so-good weather and the trainer in the winter and the other is a fair weather and race day bike.

I've got no want or need for a mountain bike and I cannot think of a reason to get a road bike at this time.

I already have 3 bikes! a hard tail MTB, a full sus MTB and adirt jump bike... I think my wife will only go for the 'one in, one out' rule from now on!

Thanks for the input everyone.

If you only get one, get a road bike. I have been riding road bikes and racing tris for about 4 years and just bought a tri bike mid way through this season. It is a very different way to ride and, frankly, even with a professional fit, is not as much fun. I know it will be an asset in the flatter to rolling triathlons, but I don't have any desire to take it on the really long or hilly group rides that I do with my husband and cyclist friends.