New Bike Day, BMC Streetfire SS02 (3)

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Wheelset

I used the 'old' wheelset of my 'Italian Style Bike', the Campagnolo Khamsin wheelset. Both front and rear wheels matched the 100mm width of the fork and the 130mm of the rear wheel spacing.

-Tires or Tyres

As I am always hunting for new, speaking cheap, tires, I've tried some Vittoria Rubino Pro's, the older, traditional Vittoria tires before the 'Graphene' aera. I've had bad experiences with the reviewed Vittoria CORSA G+ folding tires, but these older tires have been a a positive surpise, both in performance and reliability. I've put a 25mm (245g) on the front and a 28mm in the rear. On this BMC frame, the wider combination fitted which some space to spare while it rubbed on the rim brake bridge of my Fastrax racing bike.

-Inner Tube

I always use latex inner tube, the front was made by Vittoria, the rear came from Challenge. I find both reliable, in combination with the Vittoria Rubino Pro's I've never had a flat during several 1000 kms. I have to admit that the Challenge latex inner tubes are holding the air longer even while carrying a higher weight on wider tires.

In my experience, both Vittoria Rubino Pro's with the latex inner tubes are a very good combination. With higher pressure they run effortless like true racing tires but the additional profile beside the smooth central section make them good all-weather tires with comfort on bad roads. But, over 30 km/h they could become sketchy in fast corners.

Accessories:

1.Pedals: To stay in the spirit of a Gran Fondo or Endurance bicycle, I've decided to invest into Road Touring Light Action Pedals or Shimano PD-ED500s.

Shimano PD-ED500, dual sided

Don't get me wrong, I liked my road bike clipless pedals very much but the constant purchase of plastic cleats were eating quite into my budget. Following some rough calculations:

1.a. Cost Road Pedal Plastic Cleats

When riding often and long, I had to replace the KEO plastic cleats every 2-3 months which cost

-NTD199 (USD6.00/EUR5.60)/pair

-NTD796 (USD24.00/EUR22.40/year

b. Mountain Bike Metal Cleats cost

-NTD350 (~USD10.65/~EUR9.82)/pair, and could be theoretically used for several years!

Beside above lower costs, the

a. PD-ED500s can be clipped in dual sided, no more 'hunting for the right side' to clip in for one-sided road pedals

b. the metal cleats of the PD-ED500s are 'in' shoe sole rather than the plastic cleats 'on' traditional road shoe soles, the comfort on and escpecially off the bike is much better.