A few things I like about the Speed Concept...
- I really like how the Speed Concept brakes are adjusted. They are like the TriRig brakes where you can adjust each arm/side of the break individually. This makes it easy to optimize braking as it’s easy to get the pad adjustment just right.
- The monobar and arm rest units make it really easy to make forward and backward (and elbow in and out adjustments) and you can make small incremental adjustments
- It has better integration built in. The draft box has no effect on drag and fits a lot (could easily do 2 tubes, 2 co2, 2 tire levers, a patch kit a multi-tool). It’s also takes 5 seconds to remove if you want to save weight. There is an adapter piece that allows you to run a BTA water bottle easily and securely. The top tube bento box is nice and looks slick – though it doesn’t fit a ton.
- The frameset on it is probably faster as pictured than the P2 (due to integrated cables/clean front end and the aerobar setup)
Things that are a bit annoying about the Speed Concept…
- As mentioned earlier, while you can make a lot of adjustments, it takes a lot of unscrewing each time you want to make an adjustment. For example, I would have to remove the BTA bottle cage and bta bottle mount (4 screws that need to be completely taken out) in order to get to the aerobar screws to make adjustments. Not the end of the world, but kind of annoying.
- Changing the fit will be a little bit more expensive than the P2. You will be able to make reach (forward and backwards) adjustments as pictured. However to change the stack (up and down) and to change the reach beyond what the monobar will allow you would need to but either a new Bontrager Speed Concept Riser and/or a Bontrager Speed Concept stem.
Dan has a nice article from a number of years ago about how to nail your fit on a speed concept. For the P2, adjustments tend to be cheaper since you are just buying a regular stem which you can get for super cheap.
I really like the Speed Concept, but I think for what you are looking at I would lean towards the P2. The Speed Concept is likely the faster bike and it looks like it’s got newer version of the Di2 (internal vs external battery) and has faster wheels. But since your daughter is going to be new to using a tri bike having something which will allow for cheaper fit adjustments would be beneficial I think. Also, the bullhorns on the P2 are curved upwards vs the flat ones on the SC. As a poster above mentioned this will make it more comfortable and make the rider feel more comfortable when they are out of aero. This might be good since she will be new to a tri bike and might find herself a little bit more often than a veteran of the sport. Plus saving 1500 is nice and would leave some money on the table to upgrade the wheels at some point (I think you could get faster wheels than what is on the SC used for 600-800 range).
All that being said, either one would be great. So another option would be to pick the one that she likes the look of more. When two choices are close that is always my tie-breaker.
Matt