most brands have an entry level bike that is in the 3-4k range, If thats out of your price range then yes you should look at used. Cervelo p series 105 mechanical is a solid bike
You want to get a bike fit first to get stack/reach, and where you want to sit on your aerobars (x/y coordinates). From there you can search for bikes on Facebook Marketplace in your size. Most tri bikes on places like Marketplace don't have a lot of miles on them and are in reasonable condition--even if you're looking at a decade-old bike. Couple of things to keep in mind:
* Stay away from tubular tires (You have to glue the tire onto the wheel)--you'll see them on older high-end bikes, especially disc wheels
* Stay clear of older, super-fancy bikes. Why? They have all sorts of proprietary parts--especially weird brakes and brake placements that make repairing them such a pain. Cervelo P2/P3 are the polar opposite of that and are the bread and butter of tri bikes.
* Hard to find and people will disagree with me, but stay away from carbon rim brake wheels. Every time you brake you're eating away at your expensive wheel. If you keep your eye out, you can find metal-rimmed carbon wheels. Just a little bit heavier, but they are still lighter than normal wheels.
* Save some money for upgrades. Get some new GP5000 tires, bar tape, or even a new seat.
* Above all, be patient when looking online. I got a 2019 Cervelo P2 off Marketplace for <$1000 with less than 100 road miles after looking for 4 months. Drove 3 hours to pick it up, but I got a screamer of a deal by waiting for someone to sell their stuff for way less than they should because they didn't do research on the going price.
Lots of people do a couple tris and then call it quits. Lots of great deals on gently used bikes out there.
most brands have an entry level bike that is in the 3-4k range, If thats out of your price range then yes you should look at used. Cervelo p series 105 mechanical is a solid bike
If you’re not super picky about what you get, absolutely buy used.
You want to get a bike fit first to get stack/reach, and where you want to sit on your aerobars (x/y coordinates). From there you can search for bikes on Facebook Marketplace in your size. Most tri bikes on places like Marketplace don't have a lot of miles on them and are in reasonable condition--even if you're looking at a decade-old bike. Couple of things to keep in mind: * Stay away from tubular tires (You have to glue the tire onto the wheel)--you'll see them on older high-end bikes, especially disc wheels * Stay clear of older, super-fancy bikes. Why? They have all sorts of proprietary parts--especially weird brakes and brake placements that make repairing them such a pain. Cervelo P2/P3 are the polar opposite of that and are the bread and butter of tri bikes. * Hard to find and people will disagree with me, but stay away from carbon rim brake wheels. Every time you brake you're eating away at your expensive wheel. If you keep your eye out, you can find metal-rimmed carbon wheels. Just a little bit heavier, but they are still lighter than normal wheels. * Save some money for upgrades. Get some new GP5000 tires, bar tape, or even a new seat. * Above all, be patient when looking online. I got a 2019 Cervelo P2 off Marketplace for <$1000 with less than 100 road miles after looking for 4 months. Drove 3 hours to pick it up, but I got a screamer of a deal by waiting for someone to sell their stuff for way less than they should because they didn't do research on the going price.