--- title: Triathlon bikes are expensive. description: Overview of why you may want to upgrade your triathlon bike. --- [![salsify](https://www.tribikeupgrade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Salsify%20Logo%20Flower.png?width=498&height=465&name=Salsify%20Logo%20Flower.png "salsify")](https://www.tribikeupgrade.com) [![Is it time? Free Checklist](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4169413/14062beb-6c12-4468-b226-9c9ccfe047cc.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4169413/14062beb-6c12-4468-b226-9c9ccfe047cc) ![P5x_Angle.jpg](https://www.tribikeupgrade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/P5x_Angle.jpg?width=3000&name=P5x_Angle.jpg "P5x_Angle.jpg") Jan 11, 2018 3:05:34 PM # Triathlon bikes are expensive. It is a fact, triathlon bikes are, generally expensive. A top of the line bike can cost over $16,000. As an age group athlete do we really need to spend a lot of money to get a top performing bike? [![Free Bike Self Assessment Tool](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4169413/636620a0-9f6a-4625-a718-2c449e415fef.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4169413/636620a0-9f6a-4625-a718-2c449e415fef) When you first sign up for a triathlon the butterflies enter your stomach and you think "what did I get myself into?". You head to Google, look up 'Triathlon', and start to view many web sites with a lot of information. Soon you notice a lot of pictures of alot of fancy looking bikes. You think about the hybrid bike sitting in your garage and you start to ask yourself a lot of questions. Here are a few that went through my head as I got ready to compete in my first Triathlon. *Do I need a new bike?* *Do I need a triathlon bike?* *Why do Triathlon bikes look so weird?* *Will I look stupid out there without one of those weird looking bikes?* The answer to most of these questions is **no**. The answer to why triathlon bikes look so weird is explored in the blog post on aerodynamics. In my first triathlon I rode on a 15 year old REI road bike. While not the faster bike it allowed me to train and race in a Triathlon. ![Nashua Sprint Tri | First Triathlon | Tri Bike Upgrade](https://www.tribikeupgrade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/285657_303994319691467_451852687_n.jpg?width=640&name=285657_303994319691467_451852687_n.jpg "Nashua Sprint Tri | First Triathlon | Tri Bike Upgrade")   After the first year of competing in triathlons I knew two things. 1. I loved the sport of Triathlon. 2. I wanted to be faster. There were a few things that I could do to help me be faster; train more, upgrade my bike. By putting myself into a more aerodynamic position on the bike I knew I would be a little faster in the cycling portion of the race, as well as better utilizing my muscles so I could have a better run. **It worked.** In one year I improved from 1:32 to 1:26. While that does not appear to be a big time difference, when the bike course was only 16 miles I saved four minutes over the previous year. I was on my way. While I cannot guarantee that you will see a dramatic improvement, moving from a road bike to a tri bike will make a difference. Download our assessment tool and let us know how we can help you. [![Free Bike Self Assessment Tool](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4169413/636620a0-9f6a-4625-a718-2c449e415fef.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4169413/636620a0-9f6a-4625-a718-2c449e415fef)   Topics: [Triathlon](https://www.tribikeupgrade.com/blog/tag/triathlon), [Tri](https://www.tribikeupgrade.com/blog/tag/tri), [Bikes](https://www.tribikeupgrade.com/blog/tag/bikes), [Bicycles](https://www.tribikeupgrade.com/blog/tag/bicycles), [Expensive](https://www.tribikeupgrade.com/blog/tag/expensive), [Cost](https://www.tribikeupgrade.com/blog/tag/cost), [Upgrade](https://www.tribikeupgrade.com/blog/tag/upgrade) #### Written by [Larry Rodman](https://www.tribikeupgrade.com/blog/author/larry-rodman) 101 Federal Street, Boston MA 02110 [contact@tribikeupgrade.com](mailto:contact@tribikeupgrade.com) Copyright 2026 | Designed with ** by [Tri Bike Upgrade](https://www.tribikeupgrade.com) [**](https://www.tribikeupgrade.com/blog/triathlon-bikes-are-expensive#)