Im going to be doing a series of triathlons next year. I am quite a big guy and dont feel comfortable on a tradional road bike. I have done a little research and have been told a ridgeback genesis is the way to go for a mountainbike style flat handle bar bike which is also quite quick. Is this correct or is there any other type of fla ba bike that is quicker?

Have a look at the Cannondale bad boy,its good

Surely, in an ideal world, one would use a triathlon style bike for triathlons?

Ive looked at the cannondale but the genesis and the specialized sirrus, so ive been told, have bigger tires so making them aster bikes. In the ideal world a tri bike would no doubt be better but unfortunately i dont feel comfortable on one. I suppose im not your ideal tri candidate but ill certainly give it a good crack. Thanks for the advice.

Some Tri bikes are super extreme in their position because they're not bound by UCI rules (I think that's why anyway)

I reckon Grant's dead right - got have something you're comfy on for a tough endurance event.

There are a number of roadbikes that come with a flat bar option - be worth checking out a Trek 1000 for example. I believe the frame shape is unchanged which would allow you to swap from flats to drops if that became appropriate later.

Worth checking with a local stockist and trying one for size perhaps.