Comfort on a bike is not directly related to how much you spend on it. You absolutely need a bike to fit you, which is most important. You want a bike to be comfortable, and yet still have you in a somewhat aggressive position. But, honestly, you will be able to find a great bike for $400 or $500 that will last for years, and you will be fine doing sprint (and longer) tris with it. The main thing is that it fits and that you like it.

I would definitely check the local classifieds, especially craigslist. If you look for something a few years old, you will be able to get it for 1/2-1/3 the original price. Just start looking, and be patient. I'm sure you'll find something.

And, even if you have to buy new at an LBS (this is when prices start coming down as we approach winter), you'll be able to get a good bike for that kind of money, and it will last as long as you want it to.

I guess my point is just that the amount of money you spend doesn't have that much effect on how comfortable the bike will be. Start looking, and make sure you like the bike before you buy. Good luck.

How much are you willing to spend on your bike? Just deciding on that one factor will narrow your search to a specific field. If you haven't much capital to invest then perhaps you could look into obtaining a second hand bike. New road bikes for beginners can range from $500 for a Shimano Sora equipped bikes to $1000 for Shimano 105 equipped bikes if you look for lesser know brands or last years’ models. New tri bikes for beginners range from $1000 to $2000.

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=271

Do you have any sort of bike at all? Or access to any sort of bike? By that I just mean something with wheels and functioning brakes. Because that's all you need for your first race. After that you'll have a better idea what you'll want.

Good luck!

$4,326.27. After reading your post I did some research and found that is exactly the appropriate amount for you to spend on a bike given your current situation. This figure is within +/- $4000.

Good Luck,
Eric

I am doing my first sprint distance tri this Saturday, so I'm not the voice of race experience that many others on here are. But I am riding my hybrid for the race this weekend. I'd been training on my husband's mtn. bike, but my mother-in-law wanted to get me a road bike for my birthday in May. While she was very generous to make the offer, she suffered some sticker shock while looking at the good road bikes : ) She was completely willing to drop the $400 for a hybrid Cannondale though and I've been riding it happily ever since. I'm sure if this tri goes well and I catch the bug, I'll be upgrading at some point. But I'm thrilled with my ride, it is SO comfortable and I know my entire family will enjoy using it for years. I'm sure I'll get pissed off when folks that aren't as fit as me pass me by, but for now I'm going to be thrilled to finish and not be in last place. Good luck!

I wouldn't buy one for triathons certainly, get a road bike.

But I still ride (and love) my Gary Fischer Utopia for the early spring, late fall/early winter. It's ideal on gravel roads and on trail rides, not for the really technical or hard-core MTB stump-jumping stuff. And it's perfect for this one MTB race I do every year that has a mix of paved/gravel roads, trails, mud... definitely faster than a MTB on the road sections, and only a slight disadvantage off-road (mostly due to the cross tires I use).

Also... there's a bunch of different kinds of hybrids now, the one I have leans more towards MTB, but some of the newer ones are in a different category, "fitness bikes". They're basically for non-cyclists who want a bike with a less aggressive posture... I don't see much value there, my friend bought one, likes cycling, now wants a road bike only a few months later.

jono

TRI-AC left a great starter list for you, I just found an 06 Trek E9 for 1200 brand new, they retailed for about 2199 so not a bad deal. A bike shop had one they never sold and it fits me great. It's funny how it works because I had done all kinds of research on a lower end giant QR Kestrel etc. I had no idea a trek was going to fall into my lap but I'm pretty happy with the find.