Commute/Beginner Triathlon bikes

[Towelie]

I've agreed to do a triathlon with my son late this year. We've both started riding again on our old mountain bikes. I am asking for advice around what to avoid or look for. We will be buying our own bikes based on what we can afford. I have a budget of under AU$5000 and he has a budget of AU$1500 (although I will top up his if a good bike is just out of reach). Current expectation is that his bike will be aluminium.

Specific questions:

• Brands/Models to avoid
• Group sets to look for (probably at both price points if different)
• Limitations I should be aware of
• Thoughts on fitting aerobars
  

If I enjoy the triathlon the bike I buy now will be my commuting bike and I'll by a triathlon bike before I build up to a half or full race.

Thanks in advance.

[Towelie]

More research has been done. All of the brands available in Australia appear to have supply issues, but I think I'm settling on Canyon. Has anybody had experience with that brand?

[Jesper]

(01-25-2022, 07:06 PM)Towelie Wrote:  More research has been done. All of the brands available in Australia appear to have supply issues, but I think I'm settling on Canyon. Has anybody had experience with that brand?

I have heard of the brand, and nothing bad to be said about, but I have no firsthand experience with that brand. The only Tri bike I've been on was a Quintana Roo. They used to be made in the US about 20-25 years ago, frame probably now made in Taiwan and assembled in the US. Not sure as to the availability in your area; but they are very good bikes. Mine was a alloy frame and a carbon fork from around 1999.

[Towelie]

Distributer in Australia. I'll go have a look

[jeffg]

I have worked on a few Canyon bikes and they are a good bike, no different than any of the big name brands. The sizing aid on their website is fairly good and have had not seen any bikes incorrectly sized to the rider.

[Towelie]

(01-29-2022, 04:02 AM)jeffg Wrote:  I have worked on a few Canyon bikes and they are a good bike, no different than any of the big name brands. The sizing aid on their website is fairly good and have had not seen any bikes incorrectly sized to the rider.

Sounds like a safer bet. Thanks for that!