BMC Street Fire SSX Team

Price Paid:  $700.00 at BikeSmart

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
To work so I can save gas and buy more bike stuff.

Bike Setup:
-'07 Campy Centaur (all)
-FSA SL-K seatpost
-FSA OS-140 stem/RD-200 bars
-Specialized Toupe
-Campy Vento wheels
-Michelin Pro2(F)/Krylion(R)

Summary:
(Price is for the frame only) This was to be my commuter bike so I was looking for something reasonably cheap and durable- didn't have to be superlight weight. The build is '07 Campy Centaur (all), FSA SL-K post, FSA stem/bar, Campy Vento wheels, Michelin Pro2/Krylion F/R. I think it comes in just under 18lbs for size S. Compared to my 15lb carbon bike, this bike isn't quite as snappy or quick especially up hills or grades. But it is remarkably smooth, stable and stiff. You do feel every pedal stroke. And I'm a fly weight at 125lbs soaking wet so it's not like I'm bending frames. The fork weighs over 500gms in case you're counting; so if you want to lighten this bike that would be the first place to start. The bike doesn't turn on a dime, but is very predictable and easy to control. Riding with no hands is also easy on this bike. The paint job is decent, and if you get the red-black color it looks like a nice cheap knock-off of the Pro Machine. I think the 'trickle down' technology of this bike from it's more expensive siblings is quite apparent- from the 'T' shaped top tube, to the wide tapering down tube, to the bottom bracket-wide chain stays. While I was building this bike I couldn't stop thinking how amazing the aluminum shapes are on this frame. I know it's what they always say, but the pictures really do NOT do this frame justice. The attention to detail in the two-bolt seatpost binder is a nice touch.

Strengths:
-Feels stiff and fast
-Beautiful and unique design
-Stable/predictable handling
-Cheap(ish)

Weaknesses:
-A bit heavier than carbon
-Fork is pretty heavy

Price Paid:  $1150.00 at TargeTraining

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Long, smooth, hilly, fast, intense, hilly, scenic

Bike Setup:
Looking to get a different saddle with a cut-out in the middle for airflow and... ahem, comfortability.

Summary:
I was told that this is the kind of bike that once I ride it, I was going to want to take it home, and that's exactly what happened (except I had already bought it when I was out on my first ride, so I didn't have an option).

Strengths:
Price: I got this for 1150 but at its retail price of around 1500, it's is still a steal. THE stiffest aluminum frame you can buy and one of the lightest for sure. Great components (Easton), and awesome group (Shimano 105 full). The wheelset is great also. Fulcrum is an awesome company, even though it is young. the tubular spokes avoid any side winds. Also, carbon compact FSA crank (50/34) is great for climbing (it finds that happy medium where your not spinning too fast and your not spinning too slow). Sloping tube design is also great for climbing. This is truly a bike for any entry level road racer out there. It's durable, too, so if you just want to have the thrill of a road bike and its elegance, then this is also an accurate representation of that elegance and fast experience. For the price, this bike is amazing!
Frame - I've pretty much said everything you need to know above, but let me just say that the only thing that is scary about this frame is that there are stiffer frames out there (of higher-priced bikes, of course). Picks up every slight acceleration. Total control. Always.
Triangle thing - Absorbs shock. Less strain on welding b/w tubes (more durability).

Weaknesses:
The hanger is apiece of crap. I hadn't crashed or anything but somehow my derailleur hanger got bent (as it is designed to do) and as it was being bent back it snapped for some reason. So, for about three days I sank into a state of depression (it took three days to order and get a new one put on).
-The saddle may be pretty stiff at first and really hard, but it will loosen up.

Similar Products Used:
I went for a little spin on a Trek 1.2 (at that time I was looking at lower price ranges) and that felt really comfortable. I would have gotten that if I could have gotten it from TargeTraining. I was also looking at getting a GT Series Three. Also a good choice (great bang for the buck on both bikes), but I couldn't resist the price of the BMC (the company is so much better than Trek and GT anyway; their engineering and design often leaves a lot to be desired). However, the GT and the Trek are both great entry level bikes also. The difference will be that the frames won't be as light or stiff and the components probably won;t be as good. In terms of the group, having 105 over Tiagra or Sora really doesn't make that much of a difference (but shifting will probably be slightly smoother with 105 obviously).

Price Paid:  $0.00 at The lbs i work at

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
crits,long flats 30+mph

Bike Setup:
here is the bike build up from the frame up.
#1.2006 red black Bmc ssx team red and black large frame.
#2.full Dura Ace 10 sti groupo exept ultegra brakes.
17mm crankes 53-39 with a 12-27 tooth count in the caccette
#3.KCNC 31.6 Scandium Seat post, Fizik Airone seat
#4.Ksyirium ES wheel set, the ones with the carbone red hub
#5 Schwalbee Ultrimo tires,195 grams
#6-my old stem off my trek 1000, 26.0 bars and stem
#7-drua ace pedals and grafite choes
#8.-Fork is the stock ec70

the bike weighs in at 17.8 lbs and i am a good 176 lbs rider "a sprinter by nature"
#6.chinelli

Summary:
here is the bike build up from the frame up.
#1.2006 red black Bmc ssx team red and black large frame.
#2.full Dura Ace 10 sti groupo exept ultegra brakes.
17mm crankes 53-39 with a 12-27 tooth count in the caccette
#3.KCNC 31.6 Scandium Seat post, Fizik Airone seat
#4.Ksyirium ES wheel set, the ones with the carbone red hub
#5 Schwalbee Ultrimo tires,195 grams
#6-my old stem off my trek 1000, 26.0 bars and stem
#7-drua ace pedals and grafite choes
#8.-Fork is the stock ec70

the bike weighs in at 17.8 lbs and i am a good 176 lbs rider "a sprinter by nature"
#6.chinelli

Strengths:
What can i say this bike i just stunning compared to what is out there

Weaknesses:
Stock seat poast is Heavy!

Similar Products Used:
trek 1000
and that old schwinn vrasity wich i kiled the frame above the bottom bracket.

Price Paid:  $680.00 at universalcycles.com

Model Year:
2006

Bike Setup:
Ultegra 10, Easton wheels

Summary:
A great frame...probably hard to find a better deal than this, especially on a rather unique bike. The stock EA 50 seatpost is like a lead pipe, but the fork and headset that comes with it are pretty decent. The only major issue I have is that the rear brake cable routing is very awkward at the seat cluster lug. I suspect though this might only be an issue on the small size frame I have. Otherwise, its a great frame all around.

Strengths:
Rides well, not too harsh; Climbs well; Looks pretty good (red '06 team version); Inexpensive, but worthy enough to build it up with good a group; Durable, slightly Euro-trash paint job.

Weaknesses:
Awkward cable routing; stock seatpost sucks; It might be nice to have a standard 27.2mm seat tube dianmeter than the gigantic oversized one that is currently used.

Similar Products Used:
Mike Melton, Giant

Price Paid:  $800.00 at don's bikes of rialt

Favorite Ride:
climbing,climbing, and then some more

Bike Setup:
FULL ULTEGRA, ROLF WHEELS

Summary:
THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 2006 FRAME. WOW!!! THIS THING RIDES WAY BETTER THAN MY LOOK CARBON FRAME. STIFF,RESPONSIVE, AND SMOOTH. ABOUT 1/2LB. HEAVIER THAN MY LOOK, BUT WELL WORTH IT.

Strengths:
STIFF, LIGHT, RESPONSIVE, SMOOTH RIDE

Weaknesses:
NONE