To tri bike or to road bike? Help spend my denero!

[Tri'inMomma]

Hi Ladies!

I am new to cycling this year after hitting a few triathlons on a dare. I am completely and utterly hooked. Austin is a great place to be bitten by the tri and cycling bug.

Before buying anything this year I dusted off my dad's 16 yo old Raleigh touring bike, had it tuned and fitted (as much as possible, too long) and have been riding it for the last 5 months. Since completing a few triathlons and joining a training group I feel committed enough to invest. Plus the old bike is now sufficiently decked to entice the hubster to hit the road and accompany me!

A little info to help suggest with:

ME:5'8, 150lbs, 30-31 inseam, long arms, long fingers.... LOVE SPEED and love hills.... LOVE triathlons!

BUDGET: 1600 ish.

So my dilemma is this: do I buy a tri bike or a road bike? I am torn. Here in Austin we can comfortably ride 300+ days a year. The tri season is 5ish months so that leaves me 5 months of potential for long group rides. I would love the speed of a tri bike, but my LBS told me it may be uncomfy for 30+ mile fun rides with a group. Do you ladies agree? Any advice to a newb?

THANKS!!!

[SouthernBelle]

Many group and charity rides are not allowing aerobars now due to control issues. So I would go with the road bike and use clip-ons for your tris. Then you could get a tri bike later as a 2nd bike.

HTH,