Firefly Titanium Fork: Anyone ridden one?

[Greyfox]

I know there’s lots of Paceliners who have Firefly bicycles. Did anyone get the titanium fork option?

I’d love to hear your feedback about the ride quality.

There was a thread awhile back about titanium forks and mention was made of the Firefly fork, but nothing was said about its ride quality.

If you’ve got one on your bike, would love to hear what you think of it.

Thanks in advance!

[Radius PNW]

Possibly you could also ask Firefly for review comments from riders - perhaps they have feedback that they collect?

[Greyfox]

Good suggestion - thank you - though what I am hoping for is the unfiltered views and opinions that comments directly from Paceliners tend to provide.

Originally Posted by Radius PNW

Possibly you could also ask Firefly for review comments from riders - perhaps they have feedback that they collect?

[Hilltopwalters]

I don't have a firefly ti fork but I have the one from Bearclaw and I have been very, very happy with it. Feels great, looks great. Definitely has a dampening effect that the original carbon fork did not have. Feels...squishier? than a steel fork, almost more pliable but doesn't feel like a noodle? I was worried it would throw off the feel of the bike but I can still ride with no hands just fine and it corners really well.

[bshell]

I have a faint recollection that someone took over a spot in the Firefly queue from another Paceline member. If this is you I'm envious! And curious how the process is going.

I've spoken with FF and looked at that fork combo so I'm curious too. I'm just not sure if I want to wait 1.5 years.

[dgauthier]

Originally Posted by bshell

(...) I'm just not sure if I want to wait 1.5 years.

And pay 1.5 grand...sheesh...

For that price it should steer for you.

[bshell]

It's 1.5 years for the frame. Not sure about the fork alone.

[Vamoots58]

alone is $2k...No thanks. Beautiful stuff, but....

[jbrainin]

There's a reason one almost never sees ti forks out there: it's exceedingly difficult to make one that is remotely affordable and safely durable.

(Personal example: In the mid-90's, I bought an Aeon Ti fork that rode beautifully but the fork was recalled within a few months of acquisition due to the possibility of failure, at the crown, iirc. I think that fork cost ~$800 at the time.)

Whatever the current price of the Firefly fork, that's what it takes for them to make a safe, light well-fabricated titanium fork that won't bankrupt them with liability claims.

[72gmc]

If I could afford one, I'd do it. They look great. Not surprised the cost is high relative to other forks, I'm guessing Firefly's investment in labor and materials and design is also high, and there aren't many competitors.

[bshell]

Interestingly, the price varies with use case and frame purchase (package deal).

And I agree with the above in that there is likely a lot of design/production investment per unit in these compared to the scale of molded carbon.

If it rides better, it's worth it to some. Subjective, of course, but I have no problem with folks ponying up for nice stuff. I do it sometimes and if I were already in for a boutique ti frame I'd be okay with crying once on a better fork.

[theboucher]

This one is mine. Happy to answer questions about it.

[dgauthier]

Originally Posted by theboucher

This one is mine. Happy to answer questions about it.

Beautiful bike! I see you described the ride quality in the thread you linked to.

As part of a frame/fork combo, a fork engineered and anodized to match the frame is a plus. Would you ever consider buying the fork alone for 2K to use with a non-Firefly bike?

[Cat3roadracer]

Drop dead gorgeous.

[theboucher]

Originally Posted by dgauthier

Beautiful bike! I see you described the ride quality in the thread you linked to.

As part of a frame/fork combo, a fork engineered and anodized to match the frame is a plus. Would you ever consider buying the fork alone for 2K to use with a non-Firefly bike?

I think the very best bikes are designed as a complete package, a la Kirk, Sachs, or Firefly. Or any number of top-tier carbon race bikes, for that matter.