Anyone ridden the Brother Big Bro with drops?

I realise this is a long shot / strange question, but there’s a Brothers Big Bro for sale around here with drops and decent kit. I’m intending to use it more as a gravel bike but the idea of carrying stuff is interesting, though not much of a priority.

In the best of worlds I’d get a midnight special but this is way cheaper so thinking it might work for gravel duties?

https://www.pedalroom.com/bike/brother-cycles-big-bro-29er-40876

This person did it.

I bought one thinking I'd do that but it was more of a mountain bike than I really expected so didn't end up going down that road - not that that means you couldn't, but if I was to do the same again I'd get something more gravel and less of a proper 29er.

YMMV though...

Did some rough geo comparisons and I think I’d struggle to get a good position. Shame as I like the idea of repurposing it.

That's what I should have done! I was very rough and ready with my research on geo and then it didn't ride how I wanted for that purpose - great bike for actual off roading though.

Why not just use flat bars?

its quite long and low

plus I agree with @PhilDAS

The riding I want to do around here will be 25% tarmac and the rest fast gravel and the very occasional single track so want something fairly quick. I currently do it on my surly pacer and the frame works well but my old wheelset struggles and the brakes doesn’t cut it. It’s built with an old veloce groupset so pretty far from ideal for gravel, but does the job well on tarmac

plus I agree with @PhilDAS

Also thinking about selling my pacer, my unbuilt crosscheck and replace it with a do-it-all bike. Feels like the midnight special would be a good bet

You know the handlebars won't change the speed it goes?

I realise that yes, but I’d like a bike with flared drops so that’s what I’m getting

How dare you.

should we insert that rant video from the gravel thread just in case?

Mtbs ride fine on road

Here's the actual bike, fwiw

I think it looks pretty badass tbh, think i'd like it just based on looks. Feels like it lands in the same vibe camp as a surly.

Shame it's miles away so will have to have it posted

I used to have a salsa fargo which regularly had the front end swapped out (about an hour of fetting), did lots of bits on it but it definitely wasn't as long as this. Although I agree with @PhilDAS (shock - horror) but I know where you're coming from with the drops. Anyway whats wrong with the cross-check!

2 sizes too big :( bought it to cart my kid around on one of those steerer mounted child seats. I have tender knees so wanted to get as far back as I could