Bicycles come in different styles and are made with different materials. Do not try to make a decision about your first triathlon bicycle without help from someone with knowledge and experience.

Basic road bikes are similar to what you see in bike races such as the Tour de France. The handles curl down and allow you to get lower as you ride to lessen wind resistance. The tires are thin. An entry-level cycle will usually be made of aluminum and cost $600 to $700.

There are also bicycles made specifically for triathlon competition. The handlebars form an arrow shape to allow you to put your hands together as you ride. This further decreases drag for faster speeds. Because you end up in a lower position than on a regular road bike, you give up some comfort, but all things being equal, you will go faster than on a road bike. Many have armrests to add to the comfort. An entry-level triathlon bicycle will cost about $700.

Mountain bikes are meant for off-road riding, and there are off-road triathlons. If that's what you have signed up for, check into mountain bikes. This style machine has wider tires with knobs to help with traction in the dirt and mud. A mountain bike is heavier, and the gearing is usually lower to cope with the hills typically found in a mountain bike course.

Material Issues

Not all bicycles are created equal, and the material used can make a significant difference in the ride. Most road bicycle frames are made of aluminum. Those machines are stiff and provide a comparatively rough ride.

Frames made of titanium are lighter and ride better than bikes with aluminum frames, but they don't measure up to the best — bikes with frames made of carbon fiber. They are the most comfortable of all, and usually the fastest. Naturally, they are also the most expensive. A high-tech, state-of-the-art bicycle can cost $7,000 or more.

Fit to Be Tried

Whatever you decide on for the style and material of your bicycle, the key issue for you will be the fit. For this, you need help. You wouldn't walk into a department store, pick a jacket off the rack, and buy it without trying it on. Purchasing a bike for your triathlon is no different. In fact, it's even more important to try it on before buying. For this chore, you need the expert help of the bike store staff, and this factor argues strongly for making your bicycle purchase locally.

Every body is different, so it's imperative that you adjust your new bicycle to fit you. If you don't, you won't enjoy riding and your training will suffer.

Start with the seat. Get it too low and you will kill your knees. Put it too high and you will rock your hips too much as you pedal. It will hurt; not the sensation you want with your bike rides. The tilt of the seat is also important. Get it wrong and you'll feel it in your rear end long after the ride.

Another important measure in fitting you to your bicycle is the distance from the seat to the handlebars. If it's too long or too short, your back will hurt and you won't be using your legs efficiently. You don't want to be cramped or too stretched out as you lean forward during the ride. As you can see, this is a complicated process, but the experts at your bike shop are very good at putting you on the type of bike that fits your needs — and fits you.

If you purchased your bike from the shop helping you with the fit, they probably won't charge for the service. In fact, a good bike shop probably would not sell you a bicycle that didn't fit you. Expect to spend about $100 getting fit with a bike you bought elsewhere, perhaps online.

The bottom line is that, although you will push yourself at times to the point of discomfort because of the effort, the ride itself should not hurt. An easy ride should be pain free. If it's not, head back to the bike shop for a fit adjustment.