Firefly Bicycles

[Higgins]

This talk of disc brakes makes me worry about getting a new road frame now as it could be out of date in a few years' time.

Any thoughts?

[John H.]

Tyler- what headset is on this frame? It looks like it has some extra stack from the upper cup that is pressed in? What is total stack of this headset?
Do they make the cups in black as well?

Originally Posted by Tyler Evans

XCr Stainless Fendered Cross:

[Tyler Evans]

Originally Posted by John H.

Tyler- what headset is on this frame? It looks like it has some extra stack from the upper cup that is pressed in? What is total stack of this headset?
Do they make the cups in black as well?

The headset is called a Diel Headset. Headset stack (combination of both exposed cups and cap) is 30mm. They come in black as well.

[John H.]

I like the addtional Stack.
Do they have a website or contact info?
Are they as nice as a King?

Originally Posted by Tyler Evans

The headset is called a Diel Headset. Headset stack (combination of both exposed cups and cap) is 30mm. They come in black as well.

[Jamie Medeiros]

The head tube and head set are from Diel Parts, http://dielparts.com/. We went with this combination on a customers request for a solution to running a tapered cross fork on a stainless steel frame. Diel is one of the few suppliers of stainless steel head tubes in this diameter. This bike has high quality Cane Creek headset bearings. As for it being as nice as a Chris King headset, it seemed friendly enough.

[John H.]

So it will only work with their headtubes?
It would be cool to be able to use one on a Ti 44mm headtube.

Originally Posted by Jamie Medeiros

The head tube and head set are from Diel Parts, http://dielparts.com/. We went with this combination on a customers request for a solution to running a tapered cross fork on a stainless steel frame. Diel is one of the few suppliers of stainless steel head tubes in this diameter. This bike has high quality Cane Creek headset bearings. As for it being as nice as a Chris King headset, it seemed friendly enough.

[roguedog]

Originally Posted by Tyler Evans

.. and.... we have been spending much of our extra time working on a very intense new project that is going to blow some minds!

Well now isn't THAT a teaser?! Nice sly throw in. Waiting...

Love your guys stuff as always.

[Tyler Evans]

Titanium Road :: Zipp : ENVE : King : RED ::

[Jamie Medeiros]

Originally Posted by John H.

So it will only work with their headtubes?
It would be cool to be able to use one on a Ti 44mm headtube.

It could, but it may look funny. With the Diel head tube it mates up with the OD. Other head tubes, especially in titanium, are thicker and the cups would look funny.

[maximus]

Love how each of your frames has a nice touch of design - the minimal, graphic aesthetic compliments the craftsmanship to perfection.

The seat tube on the latest road bike is really cool.

[reggiebaseball]

what is the deal with the gigantic headtube diameters?
Does it simply allow more surface area for welding in the other tubes, or are people desperate for tapered forks, or is it really necessary to improve front end stiffness over traditional tubing diameters?

Is it a vanity thing for customers? Do you think people are looking at plastic bikes with BB30 and gigantic headtube diameters and thinking this is aesthetically ideal?

With steel and Ti tubes is there any stiffness benefit to the big headtube or a BB30? Do you try to steer customers toward these things if they are heavier or put out bigger power numbers?

[Rimbaud]

Originally Posted by reggiebaseball

what is the deal with the gigantic headtube diameters?
Does it simply allow more surface area for welding in the other tubes, or are people desperate for tapered forks, or is it really necessary to improve front end stiffness over traditional tubing diameters?

My guess is that the 44mm head tubes are mainly driven by tapered forks, but I wouldn't call it "desperation" on the part of riders. Could your question be any more loaded?

[tigoat]

Originally Posted by reggiebaseball

what is the deal with the gigantic headtube diameters?
Does it simply allow more surface area for welding in the other tubes, or are people desperate for tapered forks, or is it really necessary to improve front end stiffness over traditional tubing diameters?

Is it a vanity thing for customers? Do you think people are looking at plastic bikes with BB30 and gigantic headtube diameters and thinking this is aesthetically ideal?

With steel and Ti tubes is there any stiffness benefit to the big headtube or a BB30? Do you try to steer customers toward these things if they are heavier or put out bigger power numbers?

I have a custom frame with an oversize 44 mm head tube. I wanted it to put those traditional headset upper and lower cups on the inside for a clean look instead of the desire to use a tapered fork. All these oversize head tubes and main tubes are driven by market demand not by an individual builder. They wouldn't be using these oversize tubes if none of their cusotmers wanted them. In another word, don't shoot the builder, blame the market and the trend.

[Tyler Evans]

Originally Posted by reggiebaseball;

what is the deal with the gigantic headtube diameters?
Does it simply allow more surface area for welding in the other tubes, or are people desperate for tapered forks, or is it really necessary to improve front end stiffness over traditional tubing diameters?

Good question... there are a lot of factors/applications for using 44mm head tubes and the various headset configurations surrounding the standard. There are both are aesthetic, functional and combinations of both where they are applicable. I mostly focus on the functional, but I have been known to sway in the aesthetic direction if the argument is compelling enough and I can reach a functional result.

Originally Posted by reggiebaseball;

Is it a vanity thing for customers? Do you think people are looking at plastic bikes with BB30 and gigantic headtube diameters and thinking this is aesthetically ideal?

I think larger diameters headtubes and BB's are a functional imperative for plastic bikes, they are an option for steel and ti bikes. Aesthetics are personal and subjective. Materials and joining techniques are getting more refined leading to thinner wall thicknesses and larger tubing diameters, whether in steel or titanium.

Originally Posted by reggiebaseball;

With steel and Ti tubes is there any stiffness benefit to the big headtube or a BB30?

There are a few benefits, all from different fronts.

Smaller head tubes on 29'ers are important in getting the front end down with the large wheels and tall forks involved. (InSet headset style)

Long suspension forks need a sturdy light weight junction at the down tube junction, supplied by the 1.5" head sets coupled with the 1.5" steerers...

Brake chatter on cross bikes is pretty much eliminated with the larger diameter (1.5") steerers.

Carbon forks have become the mainstream and the larger diameter steerers make for a lighter and stronger fork....

There are more reasons for larger diameters... and smaller...

Originally Posted by reggiebaseball;

Do you try to steer customers toward these things if they are heavier or put out bigger power numbers?

Yes.

[reggiebaseball]

Thanks for the reply Tyler! I see that you make "cutting edge" bikes, so I figured you would have some thoughts on this trend, which I admittedly find aesthetically horrifying.

If there is a valid functional reason for it, then it makes more sense.