Looking for a bike that can do it all Triathlons, Races, all day riding?

My dad gave me his old 1970's miyata and I really love the sport. and I know I couldn't be competitive on it so I'm trying
to save money for one the I can do Triathlons on; do short races (less than 40miles) and I can ride around all day on. I am a 15 year old with no job but I am going to try and get one this summer so the bike would have to at most be less than $1000 dollars. Also It would be a plus if it was a bike I could build on for years to come.

i would focus on a road bike. the name of the frame isnt all that important to me. get the best bag of components you can for your money. for a grand you should be able to get an aluminum frame and 105 components.

now you have to understand, a good road bike isnt ideal for time trials like in a triathlon. it will not be as areodynamic, but you can compensate for that with a set of clip on bars that are fairly inexpensive. down the road you could also look at getting a set of wheels better suited to it. with the combination you are looking for a good, basic road bike is best.

depending on your skills as far as working on them, you could go with bikes direct. they sell over the internet. you can get an aluminum frame w/ ultegra and light wheels and stay under a grand, but you have to be able to assemble and adjust the bike when it comes. if you dont have that skill, you are better going local where a shop can help. personally, i believe TREKs are overpriced. they are kind of the in thing since Lance road them, and you pay for the name. i believe you get more for your money in a Giant or Fuji, but shop and make your own mind up.

Ok, first find a carbon fiber bike-LIGHT. The best thing you can do it make sure you have your size right-I've included an article I wrote on that subject. Second, CraigsList, eBay or your local bike shops all have used bikes. You might even try pawn shops locally-the nicer ones sometimes take high end bikes. Last idea is to contact local tri-clubs to see if anyone has a bike for sale due to an upgrade. Most of the triathlon guys I know that are very serious are like sports cars guys they trade fairly frequently.

You're better off getting a good condition used carbon fiber bike than a new heavy aluminum one. You might catch a break and find a tri-specific bike.

Definitely the Trek 1.2 ($900)(go with black) http://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en/bikes/200...

or the jamis ventura comp($980)
http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/08_b...

these are both solid bikes with good reviews. They're also really cheap and dependable.

$1000 is definitely a COOL budget for a triathlon bike ( but first check out at your TREK dealer a look at an EQUINOX TT trials road bike----its simply LETHAL---especially w/ the MIDNIGHT BLACK color!) Check out the road bikes at WHEEL WORLD (www.wheelworld.com) and read ROAD BIKE magazine too.

This question is like asking for recommendations for a single car that you could race, then take off road, and then use to haul plywood from Home Depot. There is no such car. There is no such bike that will excel as a triathlon time trial bike and a road race bike and a comfort bike all for less than $1000. You should buy a standard road bike. To meet your price point it will probably be aluminum or steel. You could add clip on aero bars and move the seat forward for time trialing. If the road bike fits you properly it should be comfortable for general purpose riding. Some brands of bikes usually offer great deals for the money--you might look for a brand called Jamis. Good luck.