Subject: RE: Need Help Buying a Bike - Advice Please!! The short answer is that a new bike will definitely make a difference. You can get a Trek Equinox Time Trial bike for around $1800- $2000 (the lower end aluminum model ). The problem with a TT bike is that if you enjoy riding and want to use it for other purposes, its probably not the right bike for you. The geometry of TT bike is different from an ordinary road bike. One option to consider is to get a road bike and then have a set of aero bars that you can put on for the days when you are doing a tri. You can definitely get a new road bike for under $2K...it won't be carbon or have higher end gearing/components...but it will be an improvement over a 20 year old Schwinn. The best bet is to find a good local bike shop and ask to take one of their bikes for a road test - any good bike shop should let you do this...and see how much of a difference it makes. One word of caution - I'd be reluctant to change bikes with only a couple of weeks to an event. Granted, the bike distance is not that far, but a new bike with a new geometry that you are not used to might not feel very comfortable. Sometimes new bikes are like new shoes that need to be broken in...and it takes time for your body to adapt to a new riding position that is different from what you have been training in. |