In 2021 amidst the pandemic I was in a group chat with buddies who were really hyped on gravel bikes. Having ridden paved roads the entire time I’ve cycled it was kind of exciting to build a bike for gravel and the intricacies of dirt riding.
This would be my first ever custom / new / complete bike! I decided to go with FireFly because they are just next level with craft when it comes to titanium.
I actually built up a canti-brake Ritchey SwissCross and rode that while my FF was being built. It actually helped me spec the upcoming new bike.
I went with a SRAM / Ratio Tech’s retrofits Frankenstein 1×12 Mullet set up, Hope RX4 brakes and another set of Cane Creek eeWings, and White Ind silver CLD hubs laced to 650b HED Belgiums.
The finish is a combo of raw, media blasted Ti, ano and a product called Spray.Bike. I wanted an abstract, timeless finish.
I went with FireFly because they are just heads above when it comes to craft. Even the seatpost collar is such a work of art! Kevin was my main contact there and was a pleasure to work with despite dealing with supply chain issues!
If I were to re-spec it, I’d commit going AXS, a 2x, a dropper post, and a cerakote or PPG paint finish.
Anyways, enough of me yapping! Here are the infamous studio beauty shots!
by manystyles_001
6 Comments
Outstanding!
Sweet frame! We don’t often see Firefly bikes around here.
Really pretty bike – did you go to Boston for the fitting process or do it remotely because of the pandemic?
Sick. The little bits that Josh Ogle machines for them are always so nice. If you flip that stwm cap over it’s likely to have a bunch of detailed “skeletoning” (not sure what it’s actually called) – he sent me one with a set of lock rings i ordered and it’s ridiculously nice for such a simple, nothing burger part.
If it had Red XPLR E1 it’d be perfect.
Are those Sram levers and Hope calipers?