For a proper FIT, you'll need to already have your bike. Bike geometry between Tri and Road bikes are different, so it won't be a one size fits all.

Price point, I'd go with a road bike (for various reasons), you can usually get more bike for your money at the lower end on the price scale. You may find a smoking deal though.

FELT has a decent tri bike that one shop I know really likes at that price point. The folks there are solid riders and triathletes and know their gear and have told me a few times that the bike is the best value for the money hands down. I haven't ridden one though so I can't give personal experience.

S

They will help you! Your knee should not ever go ABOVE your hip while peddling. I bought a SPECIALIZED, hybred. It's in between a road-off road. Tire size is about in the middle. And it was under 800! Just like a CAR, If you get 'last years model' they are also cheaper!! Some bike shop can '****er' with prices so don't be afraid to ask, they took 200 off friends bike cause it was a '09 but looked just like my '10!

Also tests bikes out, know your 'size' then shop around...You could probably get a killer deal in middle of winter, also on CRAIGSLIST!
Sarah

So I need to just buy the bike for my height range, then all the other adjustments will come after I have the bike, right? Thanks for the info!

NO!!! Do not do this! Your budget may force you to if you decide to go new, but this should not be your goal! At the very least get fitted first and have the shop give you an idea of your stack/reach and what bikes might be good for you.

I believe that the best fit comes BEFORE buying a bike. Get your LBS to fit you first, then they can help you figure out which bike and/or style is best for you. Truth is, not only do different styles of bikes have different fits, but different brands within each style differently, too. So, for instance, Cervellos will have a more aggressive fit than say Kestrels.

Also, if you go to bike shops, and get on different bikes, it's probably a good bet that you're NOT - repeat NOT - going to feel the most comfortable on the bike that fits you the best. It sounds wrong, but it's not. When you test ride a bike, it's not fit to you. It's just roughly adjusted to your hip height. So be wary of wanting the first bike that feels good on a test ride.

Probably, with your price point, tri bikes are out. Those things start high and get higher, relatively speaking. A good quality road bike is probably more in your price range. Saying that, I ALWAYS prefer my tri bike to my road bike. Always.

You might want to think about a cyclocross, or cross bike. Blasphemy, I know. However, their geometry is similar to a road bike, you can put aero clip ons on them (assuming their brakes permit it), and the bike itself has a more versatile range of uses. Bianchi, Kona, and Raleigh make some good cross bikes close to your price range.

I hope this helps.

Joe

I bought my bike last March. My first tri was in August. I did not want to spend a lot on a bike. I went with a road bike. It is the Trek Lexa. It is designed for women. I had a fitting done before I bought it, and spent @ 900. I agree that you should be fitted for the bike before you buy.

Good choice. Jamis are nice bikes. My tri bike is a Jamis Comet.

Good choice, I have a Jamis Comet. I considering buying a Jamis Road Bike this year.

So I determined today my budget for a bike is $800. Should I go with a tri bike or a road bike? I don't ever race in bike only events and I don't ride in a group, so the aerobars of a tri bike not being "acceptable" in group rides isn't an issue. I could also just get the clip on aero bars for a road bike. What are the pros & cons of a road bike versus a tri bike? Which one should I get considering I'll only use it to train for tri's and in tri races? Any favorite brands in that price range? Features to make sure I get?

Also, I'm going to get fitted for a bike on Wednesday. I've heard this bike shop is very reputable but what should I make sure they look for/measure/etc.?

Thanks in advance!

I used to work in a cycling shop and am an avid rider and triathlete, so anytime you have questions just message me!!!

First of all, I would recommend a road bike over a TT bike (for now). A road bike provides more versatility and comfort. When you purchase a TT bike, you are limiting yourself and so you would only want to do that when you are a committed triathlete. Road bikes handle all sorts of terrain much better than TT bikes (i.e. I would NEVER take my TT bike to ride in the N. Georgia mountains as I do a few times each summer). The TT bike is simply too specialized for the average rider even if you are going to do triathlons. You are meant to get into the aerobars and limit movement to and from. They are also generally more expensive. Most likely you will not find one in that price range unless it's used. I have always had a road bike and did not purchase a TT bike until I had committed myself to doing a Half Ironman. A road bike is enough for shorter distances. If you want the advantages of a TT bike, the clip on bars will help. If you do plan on doing a distance such as the half, then go with the TT bike.

There are many bikes available in that price range, although it will definitely be the bottom entry level unless you are buying used. Specialized, Trek, Scott, and Felt are great brands. There are many of them though as long as you stick with a pro shop and stay away from big box stores. Cervelo and Specialized make the best TT bikes IMHO.

As far as features and thing to measure during your fit, it depends on what you are buying, so message me and we can talk more!

2 things.

I have a Giant Trinty A2 I love it. I didnt get fitted but I did a ton of research a head of time. I plan to get professionally fitted this spring. I have made a tremendous amount of adjustments and tweaks on my own to the bike and in both my races I was very comfortable. Still I would suggest you get fitted.

I found my bike for an incredible price so I couldn't pass it up. I wouldn't suggest you go in to a Tri bike but I wouldn't discourage you not to. you are in the same place as me. You know what your going to ride for why by the dual purpose bike when you can potentially get more benefit from tri specific. However... I've been whooped by people on road bikes. and in my first Team Tri Early last year I was just trounced by a guy albeit 50 lbs lighter then me on a Old steel road bike.

One more thing...I promise you there will be people that will be on road bikes in a HIM.