A question for all you triathletes out there. I want to give this a go. Ideally do a couple of sprints and maybe an olympic distance next year and then see where it all leads.. I am coming mainly from a cycling background (though in the last few years more a sofa and golf background).

Swim lessons are arranged, so my thoughts went towards the bike. I was going to get a new road bike next year (have the wife's permission ), but I was then starting to wonder if I would be better off getting a tri-specific bike or maybe a more aero road bike, which I can attach tri-bars to? What are your thoughts, what do you use, how did you start?

And don't tell me to use my old bike, as I have permission for a new one, so I better use it

When I started tri I jumped straight in for a TT bike.

The positives are that you go faster and you get used to the position.

The negatives are they're less social (you can't really do group rides in them) and not so good for hills (gears are further away from your hands). Having said that I've done a couple of group rides with everyone on TT bikes, only the person on the front was on the TT bars - it's good fun.

I moved to Zurich recently and brought my road bike rather than TT bike because of the hills.

Not exactly given you a clear answer there but hopefully some food for thought.

Cube make a bike (possibly called the Aerium or something) which is a sort of TT road bike hybrid. It's meant to be very good and I alsmost bought one myself.

Thanks.

I think Felt makes sort of a aero road bike thing too. And I guess Cervello S-series is similar.

Good start - keep em' coming.

Hey. I started with a TT bike from the very beginning, did Ironman Switzerland after 5 months after bought the bike and then I got a road bike. If you intend to do sprints-olimpic-half IM, get a road bike and put aerobars. For full Ironman,a TT bike is good, as long as you spend 75-80% of the time in aero position.Studies shown that 90% of the drag is the cyclist body so,instead of spending an extra 1500euros on the aero frame-wheels,etc, lose 2kg and you'll be more aero.
I live in Dielsdorf, Zurich and I'm gonna have my bikes here next week. If you want to train together and change some ideas, let me know.
Marius