I'm a middle of the road AG athlete about to turn 40. Let's get that out there right now so there's no illusions. In smaller triathlons up to olympic-distance races I am an outside threat to podium if I've been paying attention to my training and diet, but you're probably not going to see me qualify for Kona any time soon either. I'm a mediocre swimmer, better than average cyclist, and decent runner when I don't blow myself up on the bike (see, e.g., IMTX in 2013 and 2014). I'm the guy who averages 21mph and has a great time on the bike, then runs a 5 hour marathon right after. My coach and I are working on it, I promise.

When I did my first IM, I got an entry level Cervelo P2. I haven't changed so much as a bolt beyond routine maintenance since the day I bought it (I do rent a disc and a ZIPP 808 front for big races), and it's been a decent bike for me. Specs here: (http://www.bikeroar.com/...2-ultegra-2013/specs). I'm starting to get more and more into racing - I want to do at least one Iron-distance race a year, if not two - simply because the racing and training help me get mental clarity. And that has me thinking about a bike upgrade.

My wife has signed off on my proposal to get a new bike, likely before IMFL this year. I don't really have a budget either, but every dollar I don't spend goes to something else. I COULD spend 15k on a new Cervelo P5x, but the law of diminishing returns tells me the last $7000 or so will get me about 2 seconds of time. $3500/second seems less than optimal. I could get a Speed Concept 9.9, or the sports-car-cum-Diamondback Andean, or a QR PRsix, or any number of others, but will I really be any better off than a new P3? Or just sticking on a ZIPP Stealth headset on my previous gen P2 and making sure my fit is optimal?

I'm not asking about any specific bike; I'm going to see a reputable fitter before I spend so much as a penny. I'm just looking for some thoughts from others on the value of that extra $7000. Or $2500. Or $25. What makes sense?