“Firefly was born because we love our craft.” – https://fireflybicycles.com
“Our work draws on decades of experience designing, crafting, riding, and racing custom bicycles. Before Firefly, we helped shape some of the most revered small frame builders in the world, and, in the process, we helped to shape national and international cycling and bike culture. When we started Firefly, we had a clear vision of our ideal custom bicycle company, and we have maintained that vision ever since. Our focus is not only on building the best bikes in the world here in Massachusetts – a state steeped in cycling tradition – but also on fostering a deeper connection between the rider and their bike by welcoming them into the process of designing and building it. Only custom can offer that connection. We know you’ll appreciate the intelligence, passion, meticulous attention to detail and quality materials that go into every frame we make. We can’t wait to build your dream bike.”
In this video, JOM of the Gravel Cyclist crew tours the Headquarters of Firefly Bicycles, located in Melrose, Massachusetts, USA. Many thanks to Kevin and the crew of Firefly Bicycles for their time!
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:26 Meet Kevin of Firefly & Sizing
1:15 Custom Frame Geometry
2:09 The Bike Enters Production
3:22 Tube Butting
4:29 Tube Mitering
5:39 Frame Fixture & Tack Welding
6:08 Frame Alignment Table
6:50 Tyler the Welder under Pressure
7:08 Titanium Fork Welding
8:26 Fully Welded Titanium Frame before Finishing
9:00 Titanium Frame Anodizing
10:57 Completed Bike after Anodizing
11:10 Assembly
11:46 Photography of every bike
12:13 Closing
13:11 General Madness
Links of Interest:
Firefly Bicycles – https://fireflybicycles.com
Firefly Bicycles Flickr Account – https://flickr.com/fireflybicycles
North Florida Freeride Gravel Series – https://www.facebook.com/norflafreeridegravelseries
Gravel Bike Tyre / Tire Pressure Guidelines – https://wp.me/p4V4se-6m3
Gravel Cyclist’s Route Library – https://www.gravelcyclist.com/gravel-cycling-routes/
Amazon Affiliation Link:
No cost to you, but every purchase made helps keep Gravel Cyclist up and running! – https://www.amazon.com/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=gravelcyclist-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=6b862b6af640d29360e2af2a5f17ddc6&camp=1789&creative=9325
Web: http://GravelCyclist.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/GravelCyclist
Instagram – http://Instagram.com/GravelCyclist
Twitter – http://twitter.com/GravelCyclist
19 Comments
I loved the tour! I never knew they are located just 30 minutes south of my home, north of Boston.
This is great because it shows the difference between a place like firefly and other "titanium" places. These guys start with straight gauge tubing and do custom butting specifically for their customer. Really neat to see.
Wow! Just got through reading about Firefly in one of my bike magazines and then get a video tour from you! Awesome! Btw Tuesday was requesting a belly rub😀
Great factory tour and amazing craftsmen!
Kevin actually talked about a butt profile😂😂. I know I'm like a 14-yr old.
Love the bicycle stuff. I am also drooling at the machine shop 🙂. They spent some serious money on that equipment 😎. I love how clean the shop is.
I'm waiting on a custom Ano job from a major Ti Co, interesting to see the process of sorts. Makes me wonder why I'm waiting for the Art dept to sketch up the project. Thx for the vid
10:38 I've never ridden a titanium bike. how does having a titanium fork affect the ride quality versus a carbon fork?
This is what Moots is missing! Moots needs to leave their comfort zone and start offering custom anodized colors and butting base on customer’s requirements.
General Madness got me that time. 🤣🤣
I talked with those folks at Firefly when I was shopping out my custom Ti frame but they weren't willing to do that one custom thing I wanted so I went to Carl Strong instead.
More tours!
I’m fortunate enough to own one of their creations. Two years of owning it and I still get Christmas morning vibes every time I take her out for a ride. Best bike builders…EVER.
It is quite rare to see a Ti fork. The only other company I've seen doing it is Nevi (Italy). It is also rare to see a welding being done wearing Birkenstocks.
Massachusetts seems to be home to a bunch of bike builders: Parlee (s tour you just did); Firefly, independent Fabricators (don’t know if they’re around). And I think there’s another one
Wow.
Welding in birkenstocks, what a g.
I’m fortunate enough to own a USA custom made Ti frame from another manufacturer that has been fabricating their own Ti tubes since Merlin. The custom finishes that Firefly does is “next level”! I definitely recommend getting customized frames for your personal preference and build. Just look at the facts Ti is light and really nice but an overbuilt Ti frame that is factory made to not have warranty issues for that 200 pound guy jumping off roof tops is not going to be as nice to ride as the guy who wants to enjoy frame compliance at only 150 pounds. Plus many other factors that go into customized frames.
Cool, but I have a different view of 3D printed parts after that interview with FrameWorx, I will side with an engineer vs a frame builder. There finishing is legendary on socials.
Kevin was great to work with and I couldn’t be happier with my Firefly!
Nice bikes! Titanium is such a great frame material.