Ti Firefly vs Carbon Corvid by Independent Fabrication

[658spruce]

bought a 2010 Giant tcr advanced 2 and rode it for a season and now the frame is up for sale on usedottawa for $600. bought a litespeed Xicon and love it and enjoy the ride more. my ti is a bit softer than the carbon but it kicks back. the fame has springy feeling. haven't got a paint chip on it yet since it has not paint and it seems like it's going to last me for a long time.

[KLincolnTexas]

Hey Flyin Ryan. I live in austin, and would like to chat with you. I can be reached at KL1AB@yahoo.com. CHEERS!

[ghostzapper2006]

How many degrees of toptube slope, seatube length, toptube lengthand headtube length are on the firefly?

[Shadowboost]

Feel the corners? Can't for the life of me know what you're talking about. Going for custom carbon, I'd go Parlee or Crumpton every time (in the US)

[MoWranglin]

Nice review! Thanks for comparing these. I had an IF Corvid and ended up selling it and keeping my Ti bike too. Right now, I'm thinking of a Ti Firefly with tapered headtube, so your review was right on the money.

[radumate]

what size are the bikes? 

[baralah]

Agree!!!! I got rid off my BMC Race Machine to get my Van Nicholas. I didn't regret selling my Carbon Bike to get my Ti. I know you would say it's not like comparing apple to an apple. But I can assure that my experience with my Ti has been nothing but very positive.

[samwee3]

No offence but the criteria you use, the materials you prefer, and the conclusions you draw are highly subjective. Another rider of different dimensions and with a different style will likely desire a different combination of elements for their machine. Also, to suggest that mass produced carbon frames offer the same or better quality and attention to subtlety as a dedicated custom builder is just wrong. Calfee comes to mind for a start.

[Shadowboost]

@samwee3 it is possible for a mass produced frame to offer better quality in design due to significant resource expenditure using finite element testing and testing jigs. But yeah, they cannot offer a tuned ride that a custom builder can

[Alwyn1000]

what rims are they?

[cyp450]

The video compares the two frames (Ti and Carbon), but firefly also makes lightweight stainless frames. Just curious how their stainless would compare to these two. 

[cyp450]

Thanks for the video. What made you choose the Ti over SS? I'm a large rider too (6'4 and 195lbs). Love the anodized Ti look, but just curious if there was a difference in feel.

[ReneeNme]

@cyp450 I think he pretty well covered those issues !?

[YoFlyinRyan]

@cyp450 - One reason was making a bit lighter, But what really did it was that I couldn't get a tapered head-tube in the SS and I really needed the tapered fork and extra stiff front for my racing and being bigger. My MTB and Cross bikes are also Ti and have learned to really appreciate this material. Having the guys at FIREFLY also dial in your fit and frame makes any custom (Ti or SS) ride even better then standard Ti off the shelf bikes.