Interesting Firefly mod on the Radivist

[Mikej]

https://theradavist.com/2018/10/a-rad-rod-retrofit-my-firefly-2-0-chubby-road/#1

I knew this could be done, I just didn’t think it was cost effective. Cool nonetheless-

[CMiller]

I LOVE that bike. Unfortunately don't get your hopes up on cost!

“When initially suggesting this project we thought this retrofit might be a viable option to offer our past customers as an upgrade to their current bike. But we quickly learned that, in reality, this is not a cost-effective or efficient option. The labor hours involved are equal to or even exceed that of making a frame from scratch. In essence, as an upgrade, adding this part to an existing bike is cost prohibitive, but it was a fun side project, totally worth doing, and we learned a lot.” – Tyler Evans, co-owner of Firefly Bicycles

[jpritchet74]

That is so rad.

[Tony Edwards]

Really really cool. It seems like over-engineering (hence its prohibitive cost), but this is really neat and reflects well on the folks at Firefly.

[unterhausen]

I believe the prohibitive cost is because of the amount of time it takes to install on an existing frame. I imagine that it's competitive with a machined yoke on a new bike. Might even be cheaper, the machined yokes are expensive, and then you have to weld them together

[yinzerniner]

Really really cool. It seems like over-engineering (hence its prohibitive cost), but this is really neat and reflects well on the folks at Firefly.

Not sure if over-engineering / overbuilding is the reason for the prohibitive cost, but rather the man-hours and exploratory research needed for retrofitting a drastically different yoke at an area of incredibly high loads.

Would be interesting to see how Firefly's method of 3D printing that area compares to what Engin cycles came up with; machining and joining titanium pieces to alleviate the geometry and manufacturing issues where FD, tire, chainstays and chainrings all intersect.

https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Engin-Cycles-machined-bottom-bracket-yoke-custom-spider-big-tire-clearance-Philly-Bike-Expo-20184.jpg
https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Engin-Cycles-machined-bottom-bracket-yoke-custom-spider-big-tire-clearance-Philly-Bike-Expo-20185.jpg

https://bikerumor.com/2018/11/02/engin-cycles-turns-over-bigger-gravel-tires-thanks-to-clever-custom-machining/