Would love a FireFly, any alternative Options?
04-29-20, 01:06 PM
#1
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Would love a FireFly, any alternative Options?
I've been researching a manufacturer for my first titanium bike frame.
Firefly checks off al the boxes for me in that they have the amazing construction quality, beautiful dropouts, anodized finish and tapered head tubes that I love. I'm looking for something that's relatively light that can accept a max wheel width of about 38mm- 40mm.
The issue is that the wait time is over a year with Firefly. Are there any alternatives that would work for me?
Thank you for your time.
Firefly checks off al the boxes for me in that they have the amazing construction quality, beautiful dropouts, anodized finish and tapered head tubes that I love. I'm looking for something that's relatively light that can accept a max wheel width of about 38mm- 40mm.
The issue is that the wait time is over a year with Firefly. Are there any alternatives that would work for me?
Thank you for your time.
04-29-20, 02:47 PM
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I've been researching a manufacturer for my first titanium bike frame.
Firefly checks off al the boxes for me in that they have the amazing construction quality, beautiful dropouts, anodized finish and tapered head tubes that I love. I'm looking for something that's relatively light that can accept a max wheel width of about 38mm- 40mm.
The issue is that the wait time is over a year with Firefly. Are there any alternatives that would work for me?
Thank you for your time.
Firefly checks off al the boxes for me in that they have the amazing construction quality, beautiful dropouts, anodized finish and tapered head tubes that I love. I'm looking for something that's relatively light that can accept a max wheel width of about 38mm- 40mm.
The issue is that the wait time is over a year with Firefly. Are there any alternatives that would work for me?
Thank you for your time.
04-29-20, 05:17 PM
#3
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There are quite a few custom TI frame makers, Seven, I think 44, Mosaic Kent Erikson a few that come to mind for a custom Ti frame. most of the good builders have a long lead time. Check pictures from the various NAHBS shows. Sign up on the Velocipede forum there are a lot of custom frame makers there with threads with pictures.
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04-29-20, 07:25 PM
#4
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If you are anything like me, a replacement may not fill your desire and you may still want the Firefly. If it is 100% what you want, I'd consider waiting the year.
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04-30-20, 02:42 AM
#5
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You could look at PlanetX - they do a few Ti frames. I don't know how they compare on quality though they look pretty good from the pictures. I've been very pleased with my Carbon Pro Evo bike. The only note of caution I'd mention is that if you go for one of their SRAM builds they chuck on a very cheap chain and cassette. This doesn't seem to be an issue with the Shimano builds - no idea why. The SRAM chain they put on mine (1110 I think) lasted 2,000 miles - I've never had a chain last such a short time. I've replaced it with the correct 1170 chain and cassette; so far it's done over 3,000 miles and shows no sign of wear as yet.
04-30-20, 08:26 AM
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not to sidetrack your question, but have you considered high quality steel? like Columbus XCr steel?
I know 2 people with Firefly frames and they are a little flexy under hard accleration.
I know 2 people with Firefly frames and they are a little flexy under hard accleration.
04-30-20, 04:30 PM
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Clark W. Griswold
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Firefly is my dream as well go for your dream!!!!
Seven, Independent Fabrications, Kent Erikson, Bingham Built, Ti Cycles, No.22, Alchemy, Merlin...are some really great options as well and there are probably a whole ton of others who can do some custom stuff. Moots might do some custom stuff if you ask but their normal stuff is pretty neat and something I have wanted for a while.
Lynskey is fine, not terrible but they have a bargin bin quality about them.
Seven, Independent Fabrications, Kent Erikson, Bingham Built, Ti Cycles, No.22, Alchemy, Merlin...are some really great options as well and there are probably a whole ton of others who can do some custom stuff. Moots might do some custom stuff if you ask but their normal stuff is pretty neat and something I have wanted for a while.
Lynskey is fine, not terrible but they have a bargin bin quality about them.
04-30-20, 06:48 PM
#9
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Seven does a great job. Firefly anodizing is really something and is worth the wait. For a great ti frame at a lower cost, Habcycles.com has what you need. I have had two of them already and both exceed my expectations.
04-30-20, 10:44 PM
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Firefly is my dream as well go for your dream!!!!
Seven, Independent Fabrications, Kent Erikson, Bingham Built, Ti Cycles, No.22, Alchemy, Merlin...are some really great options as well and there are probably a whole ton of others who can do some custom stuff. Moots might do some custom stuff if you ask but their normal stuff is pretty neat and something I have wanted for a while.
Lynskey is fine, not terrible but they have a bargin bin quality about them.
Seven, Independent Fabrications, Kent Erikson, Bingham Built, Ti Cycles, No.22, Alchemy, Merlin...are some really great options as well and there are probably a whole ton of others who can do some custom stuff. Moots might do some custom stuff if you ask but their normal stuff is pretty neat and something I have wanted for a while.
Lynskey is fine, not terrible but they have a bargin bin quality about them.
_IMG4976 by Stuart Black, on Flickrand a Dean Colonel mountain bike.
Untitled by Stuart Black, on FlickrThey are both excellent bikes.
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Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
05-01-20, 08:09 AM
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05-02-20, 11:12 AM
#12
Clark W. Griswold
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Dean is another builder to consider. They are a small builder out of Boulder, CO. I have a El Diente SL road bike
_IMG4976 by Stuart Black, on Flickr
and a Dean Colonel mountain bike.
Untitled by Stuart Black, on Flickr
They are both excellent bikes.
_IMG4976 by Stuart Black, on Flickrand a Dean Colonel mountain bike.
Untitled by Stuart Black, on FlickrThey are both excellent bikes.
05-02-20, 02:26 PM
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I had braze-ons put on the mountain bike a few years ago. It was quick and problem free. 3 to 4 weeks if I recall which I consider good service for a small shop.
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Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
05-02-20, 08:44 PM
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Clark W. Griswold
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Awesome...that is excellent news! Hope things are improved as I love Ti and love more Ti options. Keep the material going and going.
