There are always a lot of questions when it comes to what kind of gear is needed to compete in a triathlon.
 It is my goal to show that anyone with just a little desire can complete a triathlon and equipment certainly isn't an excuse.
 Triathlons can be completed for the most part with equipment you currently have and a bike is no exception.
So, just exactly what type of bike can be used? Well, the short answer is- whatever you have available.
 Whether it is a bike you have now or a bike you can borrow.
 For the most part, any bike you can find should certainly work for your first Triathlon.
 Keep in mind we are assuming you are targeting a Sprint or something similar as your first go at the sport.
 This means distances will be shorter and relatively manageable on just about any bike.
 Also, as always, assume budget is an issue.
 There is plenty of time later to go overboard when the addiction is in full affect.
 Tri bikes and road bikes can quickly get expensive  and there is no need to make a major purchase on something you do not feel confident in knowing you will get your money's worth.
Mountain bikes are perfectly fine for this type of race.
 As a matter of fact, you will probably see several since this is a popular style bike and many people have one or can easily borrow one.
 The good ole fashion Ten Speed is certainly a workable option and yes I have even seen the BMX style bikes ridden.
One important aspect on any bike you are able to ride is the pedals.
 The pedals are as important as any part of the bike when you are covering more than a few miles.
 We all grew up riding bikes as a primary form of transportation and not even realizing how inefficient our efforts really were.
 The flat pedals we grew up on only allowed for the push down to spin the wheels.
 This means only one leg working for us at a time.
 It is important to be as efficient as possible when looking to cover real distances in an endurance race and training.
 This means as one leg is working on the push down; the other leg needs to be engaged on the way back up.
 So the pedals become extremely important.
There are basically two types of pedals and you will see them both at any race.
 A caged pedal, which is going to be the cheapest route at this point, is exactly what it sounds like.
 It is a cage that fits around your foot.
 You slide your foot into the cage and it can be tightened to prevent too much movement.
 This allows your foot to pull back to the top of the rotation as your other leg is pushing down.
 Another type of pedal you will notice is called a clipless pedal.
 This is a special pedal that requires a special shoe that clips onto the pedal and allows for both legs to work together through the full rotation.
 Again, because of the expense involved with the pedals and the shoes, this will be a definite upgrade as the addiction kicks in after a few races.
 These will be very prominent among your more experienced racers because it allows maximum efficiency.
Be sure to have your pedal situation handled during your tri training.
 You will certainly want to train like you will race and also insure you are training with as much efficiency as possible.
 The pedals can easily be put on and removed with a wrench, so it is still worth it to put pedals on a borrowed bike if need be.
Just remember, the idea here is to finish and enjoy the experience and this can be done on any bike.
 Do not let equipment be an excuse because it really does not take any specialized gear to get through your first few races.
 It makes no real difference what you look like on the course, the battle is within yourself and the goal is to finish.
 Work hard, stay focused and enjoy a life changing experience.