As has already been mentioned, triathletes don't look after their bikes - in my experience of buying/renovating/selling 'vintage' bikes.
I pick them up to strip them of parts - they often have gears, chainsets, and brakes in very good condition, but the frames and stems are often corroded, and the 26" wheels aren't very interesting to anyone, hence why these bikes are cheap.
I have a couple of carbon tri bars with extensions and brake levers for 250 Danish krone each, if anyone in Denmark wants them!