£2500 - £3000

Hi All,
I'm looking for a new bike around the above mark specifically for training for a half ironman next April.
I don't want to go with a full tri bike but open to any ideas people might have.
I've been looking at the Giant propel advanced pro 1 & the Giant propel advanced 0.
Is it better to go with the better frame of the pro 1 or the di2 groupset of the propel advanced?
Open to any ideas people might have and thanks in advance.
I'm looking for a new bike around the above mark specifically for training for a half ironman next April.
I don't want to go with a full tri bike but open to any ideas people might have.
I've been looking at the Giant propel advanced pro 1 & the Giant propel advanced 0.
Is it better to go with the better frame of the pro 1 or the di2 groupset of the propel advanced?
Open to any ideas people might have and thanks in advance.
0
Posts
A di2 groupset won't make you any faster than mechanical.
If you want some representative spread of bikes have a look at Wheelies. They always have some offers on and have a good mix of the ubiquitous, the not the norm and the Italian. I had a quick look and there were some interesting aero bike choices which is the sort of road/tri mix you may want. All coming with the ubiquitous slow but dependable Ultegra manual. I am afraid whilst it's a shame, Shimano have virtually monopolised the groupset market using their bulk discount process to wipe the others off the face of the earth - so it tends to be 105 or Ultegra only. Doubly a shame as I have all three of the older brands and by far and away the slowest change and crapiest hoods is Ultegra.
Looking on Wheelies the Giant looked good value, the Ridley Noah looked the choice for me.
Failing that you can always look at PlanetX and Ribble
I'd source Ebay for a failed trier or go lower for the bike and then enough for a wheelset.
Or
You can get a top of range race ready Dolan ... everything you need for £500 more.
If you are planning on racing then get something like a Spesh Allez or Caad12 in aluminium as the bike is going to hit the deck every now and then. Use the money saved to get a decent aero helmet/skinsuit, etc.
I am planning on potentially waiting until the sales come around.
Would it be better to spend the money on a quality frame and upgrade the components over time?
I cycle a lot but this will be my first long tri so I'm reserved about going down the tri bike route in case I'm not a fan.