A crusty build (wanker adjacent fixed gear gravel shopper)

Having a think. There's this style of bracket that would put the light vertically:

But the B+M Small is designed to spread the beam laterally. So it would be better to arrange it horizontally. I'm thinking a low and wide T-shaped bracket above the mounting point.

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Would this fairlight one work https://fairlightcycles.com/product/fairlight-rear-dynamo-light-mount/?v=79cba1185463

I'm gonna try for the horizontal mount for now, but yeah the Fairlight or FBS versions are really tidy so that's the backup plan.

Still no news on rims and the bag I was eyeing is out of stock so I started making a bag instead. Cordura bottom, X10 main part and some fancy eco ripstop fabric for the liner with a drawstring. I tapered the bottom along one edge to leave some basket space for the chain lock - idea might not work out but not much lost if it doesn't. I had to source some shoulder strap material and a cam-lock buckle so should wrap this up next weekend if those arrive.

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Apparently rims are on the second leg from distributor to retailer, so I might be building the wheels and riding this side of Christmas after all. Probably won't beat the first snow though.

Wrapped up the basket bag and got some rear-rack struts to use on the front rack. I think they may actually work as side struts with a bit of persuasion. Can't tell for sure until the wheels are on and brake adjusted, but it looks like there would be a 1/8" or so clearance to the caliper arms. Side would be much better than center.

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Finally, all parts in one place. Also made a little light bracket out of walnut. Will do for now at least.

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Fancy! Oil it up and it will last a while

I wanted to darken it some and had a lightly tinted sealer so rubbed in 2 coats of that. Didn't change the color much! Hopefully somewhat water resistant now though. Feels pretty solid and the nylon washers should keep it snug.

Building the front wheel so I can get some pads on the caliper and see what kind of rack struts the the brake arm range of motion will allow.

Bag looks great!

Rideable! Had a fun time skidding around the paths close to home. Just lights left to rig up.

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Really thought snow would arrive before this got built but here we are, 20°C in December. Little ride at dusk now that the front light is fitted, will finish the rear on the weekend. Loving it so far.

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excellent moods and sick whip! what tyres do you have there? what’s the width?

Thanks! Tires are those cheap n cheerful American Classics they recently released on Amazon (US-only afaik). Aggregate in 40c, kind of a G-One clone. About right for this bike that will be mostly on paved paths and road but potentially a bit of unpaved and snow in the future. It's all tubeless compatible but I have them tubed for shopping convenience.

Yep gonna call this done (for now, obvs).

Wired up the rear light using clear silicon sealant along the wire - almost invisible from the drive side at least. Rear light bracket seems fine - but probably wouldn't survive a tumble, maybe I'll 3d print a replacement if that happened.

Might switch the bag. Might put a black saddle on it (curious about this thing, since I really like the scoop radius). But happy for now!

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Absolute stunner

Snow finally hit. 12cm of light powder at -15°C on empty roads and a school parking lot, too nice not to go for some swoopy laps.

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Just a few tweaks:

• Switched from 40c to 50c Aggregate tires
  
• Fabric radius saddle and a tool bag
  
• Flat pedals & straps
  
• Switched from 560mm bars to Ritchey 10d 690mm (post-cut) and more chunky grips
  
• Re-wired the dynamo lights
  
• Folded up some copper sheet for a better rear light bracket
  
  

All in all more comfortable and better suited to my use. I need a bit more flexibility in the near future and can't handle 3 bikes, so the real gravel bike is leaving and this becomes the everything-but-audax bike.

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Looks ace, love the design of the chain stays on these. I want to mount a rear light on the centre pull cable stop on my frame - I’ll most likely be stealing your walnut/copper one I think!