First road/tri bike

[fiatpower]

I have decided that next summer I am going to enter a few Olympic length triathlons with the view to do a half ironman the year after. I used to do a bit of road biking a few years ago but want to get back into it so that I can train for a year before doing the triathlon.

I have a budget of £500 and no idea what makes a good road bike what so ever so I am looking for some guidance. I have narrowed my list down to the following 3:

http://tinyurl.com/qf5sa4p - Boardman Road Sport Limited Edition - Black

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z100-2015/ - Felt Z100 2015

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z95-2015/ - Felt Z95 2015

If it was your money what would you do?

If there are any other bikes I should be looking at in this price range please let me know.

[anonymous-user]

I'd look at the Felt F-Series rather than the Z. The F has geometry more suited to the type of riding you are looking at. The F is the "comfort" model and has a more upright riding position.

[anonymous-user]

for that money, I would look at a used one from eBay personally - might not suit your situation, but worth considering

not sure on your size etc. but here are a couple that popped up when I searched for road bikes up to £550

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Boardman-team-road-bike-...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trek-Madone-5-5SL-Mens-R...

or if you hunt round the web you might drop lucky

this, for instance, if you ride a 54 doesn't look too bad

https://www.scotbycycles.co.uk/bikes-c19/road-bike...

[InertialTooth45]

I'm pretty much planning the same. Do a lot of running at the moment and would like to give triathlons a go next year as well as a few sportives. I do a bit of road biking currently on and off on an old 1980s Peugeot which to be honest is fine for me and I do love it, I've put a decent pair of wheels on it, new saddle, upgraded it to 18 speed. But following the thread on here recently I've just taken a punt on the following, so the Peugeot can become my winter / commuting bike.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3...

[marting]

Personally, I wouldn't buy a tri bike if you've never done a tri before.

At my first tri I remember the joyous feeling of passing people on tri bikes that cost a few grand on my cheapo road bike. That being said I imagine something like a half IM could be easier on such a bike...