SS From what I've learnt any road bike or a tri bike is fine, as long as it fits you. You have to be able to ride 112 miles on the bike and get off it without any back ache or shoulder ache etc. If you end up in pain on the bike your day can be over.
You can splash the cash and buy a lighter faster bike that will knock 30 mins off you time if you want to, but you don't need to.
It just needs to fit!
OW swim is up to you really , you need to do some before the day but you could start next year.
I've been in OW once on a british tri taster day, I couldn't yet front crawl but was pleased to find it was no more scary than being in the pool and a proper wetsuit makes you so buoyant is fantastic. Wetsuit is on my Christmas list.
Everyone says it's all about the bike so I'm going to get that sorted first.
I'm having a swimmng lesson once a week with the tri club and once Iv'e done my marathon (eeeekkk) I'm going to add another swim session each week as that's my weakest point.
Then come December it's time to start fink!
I'll be camping with the family, going for electric hook up though, got to charge my garmin. It's only forerunner 110 but I love it and I'm going for a seperate bike gadget .