Firefly Introduces Titanium Road Bike with Rim Brakes and Wide Tires

Custom framebuilder Firefly has introduced a titanium road bike equipped with 40mm tire clearance and caliper rim brakes, challenging the industry-wide shift toward disc brakes. The machine pairs analog braking mechanics with modern high-volume tire clearances, offering a distinct ride feel that cofounder Kevin Wolfson says many riders still value for its simplicity and elegance.

Developing a Custom Titanium Fork for Rim Brakes

The project became possible when Firefly and designer Josh Ogle adapted an existing 3D-printed titanium disc-brake fork to accept a center-mount caliper rim brake. Wolfson stated that the company began developing its own titanium forks during COVID-19-era supply-chain disruptions when carbon options became difficult to source.

Unlike mass-produced carbon forks that limit frame geometry to fixed lengths and offsets, building with titanium allows Firefly to specify axle-to-crown length and offset to the millimeter. This manufacturing freedom enables the shop to refine trail, front center, and clearance around individual rider specifications. Mainstream fork manufacturers currently do not produce carbon forks featuring this specific combination of geometry, center-mount rim-brake mounts, and high-volume clearance.

Balancing Analog Ride Quality With Modern Tire Widths

Wolfson noted that a good rim-brake bike appeals to riders prioritizing the ease of ownership and elegance associated with traditional calipers. While disc-brake setups unlocked the major advantage of wider slick tires, traditional short-reach rim brakes typically limit tire width significantly.

While companies like Rivendell have long built bikes around wide-clearance rim brakes, and builders like English have experimented with direct-mount gravel options, the specific parts combination proved elusive until recently. Sparked by limited-edition Mavic Ksyrium SL Heritage rim-brake wheels and a modified Brompton eeBrake from Cane Creek compatible with cable-pull road levers, Firefly moved forward with the design.

Handcrafted Frame Details and Hardware

The build incorporates 3D-printed titanium dropouts and seatstays mirroring the fork design. For wheel retention, the frame uses a conventional quick-release hub secured by a stainless-steel bolt threaded into brass inserts.

Commenting on the wheel-clamping setup, Firefly described the hardware as a tiny thru-axle, leaning into the analog aesthetic while accommodating modern engineering preferences. Co-founder Tyler Evans described the momentum behind the custom build as spreading like a contagion once the parts selection fell into place.