BMC Street Fire SSX

Price Paid:  $529.00 at cycletofitness -Mich

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Texas Hill Country

Bike Setup:
Campagnolo Centaur 10 speed shifters, Campy Chorus front and rear derailleurs, 2008 Shimano 105 brakes, Shimano ultegra SPD pedals, Easton magnesium stem, Salsa Cycles pro racing handlebars, Vision tech mini aerobars, FSA carbon seatpost, San Marco Aspide saddle, Cane Creek Volos SS wheelset with Continental Ultra Gatorskin tires.

Summary:
I generally will buy a frame and customize it with my choice of components. I have not (and still have not) gone to full carbon rigs. I always remembered my Fuji being the lightest and fastest of all my bikes, so when the clearance price of the 2007 BMC Streetfire surfaced, I took the plunge. I have ridden it for just 500 miles in three months, but so far I have not been disappointed. My prior bike was a matte black 2006 FELT F55 and it was a fine bike. However, the welds were not as refined as those on the BMC or TREK. The BMC chainstays are "beefy" and overall the Swiss design (and Taiwanese manufacturing - surprise!!) are first rate. No, the bike does not come with a Floyd Landis testosterone kit. Basically, you get a LOT of frame for the money!!!!

Strengths:
Quality paint job, stiff yet quite absorbent of road chatter considering it is aluminum (Easton Ultralite). Seat post crosslock very unique and stands out in the peloton. Beautiful high quality welds. FAST, snappy acceleration and holds its line at high speeds and in descents. Responds well with each pedal stroke when climbing.

Weaknesses:
Watch out in sizing as they tend to run small. I am 5'11" with 34 inch inseam and luckily the large fits me well.Stock Easton EA50 seatpost is heavy - replace it with a carbon one to help with the ride quality. Jury is still out on stock Easton EC70 fork.

Similar Products Used:
2006 FELT F55,2007 Pake C'Mute 2004 TREK 2200, 2004 Guru Racelite, 2002 Bianchi Eros,2001 Fuji Roubaix, 2000 Giant Kronos

Price Paid:  $529.00 at Roll

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Whichever one I can squeeze in my schedule

Bike Setup:
EA50 Seatpost and Stem. Selle Italia Flite Saddle. Red Keo Sprint Pedals. Full Ultegra Group. Mavic Aksium Wheels. Race Face Evo Bars. Jagwire race cable housing and cables. Cinelli Wrap. Serfas Seca tire.

Summary:
What a bike. I have been riding a Raleigh Technium for about a year and it was handed down to me. It was a good bike but what a difference there is having a bike sized for you. The price is the frame/fork/seatpost/headset only. I love the red black color scheme of the team red. From my limited experience I have to say this bike is quick, responsive, stiff yet it doesn't beat you to death. You step on the pedals and it goes. I know there are a lot of carbon geeks out there who cry about weight but in my opinion I just like the aluminum better. The weight is not bad. People complaining that this bike is heavy at just under 18 lbs should try riding my old 23 pounder! All in all an amazing bike!

Strengths:
Stiff, responsive, great attention to detail. Solid build. I love the oversized rectangular chain stays. The paint is nice and thick. So much it was a squeeze on the rear brake nut. A Great all around bike.

Weaknesses:
The rider.
Heavy if you are a weight weenie.

Similar Products Used:
Raleigh Technium. Giant, Cervelo (test rides)

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. (You could ebay the EC70, buy an EC90SL and still come in under $1k.) 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:  $1999.00 at Yellow Jersey

Model Year:
2006

Bike Setup:
Simano groupset apart from FSA cranks and BB. Easton headstem, handlebars and seatpost. Fulcrum wheels.

Summary:
The SSX rides really well, stiff and relatively light for the price. Like the guy in the store said "you get a lot of bike for the money". I changed the seatpost to full carbon and it smoothed things out quite a bit. If you are looking for a really good quality bike for solid mileage without paying $2000+ then go for the SSX, you won't be disappointed.

Strengths:
Frame - it's a gem.
Fulcrum wheels - great for the price.

Weaknesses:
FSA cranks - I'm not a fan... Carbon Pro is actually "Carbon cover over alu.." - and it cracked and split.
Seatpost - change it to carbon.

Price Paid:  $1400.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Races and hammerfests with lots of hills and corners

Bike Setup:
BMC SSX frame
Easton EC70 forks, EA50 bars, stem.
FSA Megaexo compact cranks
Fizik Arione
Fulcrum Racing 7s
Ultegra/105 components

Summary:
This bike is an absolute bargain. It has the stiffness and handling of bikes twice its price. I've raced on it for a full season and it excels at tight cornering and sprints.

It's a very well made frame and has held up well to several quite serious crashes in races. Much better than the rider at least.

On long rides it can be a bit rough though, transmitting a lot of road buzz. Also, the stock EC70 fork does flex a bit under heavy load.

The geometry may also not suit everyone as some of the smaller frames are hard to set up because of the relatively long top tube and short seat tube.

It is still a fantastic bike for racing and hard riding, and is a very beautiful and rare nike

Strengths:
Stiffness
Great handling
Great workmanship and quality

Weaknesses:
-Heavy with its stock components, around 22lbs for a full bike

Similar Products Used:
All the BMCs, Cervelos, Looks and Cannondales due to my job at my LBS