My story has been told many times here and on TNO. Back when I was racing a lot, I went through an old Trek 520, and a Specialized Allez Epic. Did a tri in the back country around Olympia, and my ass went numb. I decided I'd give the Softrides a test. In Bellingham, I found a shop that carried them (no surprise, Softride is based there). Within 10 minutes I was sold, and was LOOKING for things to run over. Cush ride. I went the custom route, and raced not only tri's but USCF on that one. Still have it, on the original beam, with NO problems, now 10 (maybe 12) years on. It's now my TT/tri rig. I also got a 2nd Softride, a TiCycles titanium. Then I got a 3rd, a track/single speed TiCycles (this one in steel). I have had NO issues with the beam on any of these bikes. They are all the classic beam variety, not the FasTT type.
I've won several USCF Hillclimb TT titles on them, done a lot of stage races, RAMROD, and the like -- the bike has never held me back. And the fatigue factor... You just don't get as tired, as you're isolated from most of the road vibration (at least on the ass).
Personally, I'll never go back to a rigid frame. I'd heard that the USCF was doing the "me too" thing and revising it's regs to "outlaw" all beam bikes for 2007. *sigh* I'll miss road racing.
But definitely give it a try. All the folks who talk about bouncing... I've never had a problem with that either. But I guess I've always had a pretty smooth pedal stroke. And the lower frame itself is very stiff (aside from the wishbone chainstay models), so climbing and sprinting (not that that's a concern for triathletes) is actually enhanced.
Hope that helps.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Some are born to move the world to live their fantasies...
https://triomultisport.com/ http://www.mjolnircycles.com/