Lastlap is raising a valid point and there is a way to connect what you both are saying. In fact, you could argue that if you're sitting up on a TT you'd be faster on a road bike. The objectively worse gear is the one that doesn't suit your level and skills - not the cheapest one.

Also, there's no point arguing about rusty old bikes. It turns a valid discussion into a straw man fallacy. There is a vast array of options between a 15k TT bike and a "rust bucket".

The argument that the entry level triathlon bike has disappeared is a valid one. You used to be able to buy a decent entry level at 1k and now there's nothing under 3k if bought online. If bought in a shop you're looking at 5-6k minimum.

If access to the sport is so expensive, at some point we need brands and event organisers to think about how to make entry to the sport more accessible and affordable.

I do wish there was a triathlon event that put some serious limits on gear. Something like L'Eroica applied to triathlon. Or possibly a no draft series where Triathlon bikes are not permitted.