Dan's in the workshop building up his monster gravel grinder, dropped chainstay to squeeze in the ma

Dan's in the workshop building his monster gravel grinder. That dropped chainstay is designed to squeeze in the maximum tyre clearance possible.

The technical drawing clipped to the board shows what's being built. Measurements in millimetres covering every angle and dimension. This isn't improvisation — it's engineering translated to natural materials.

The down tube meets the head tube through a machined interface. The builder's hands work with care, fitting parts that must align precisely. One mistake here propagates through the entire frame.

Dropped chainstays are the gravel builder's secret weapon. Lowering the stays creates space for larger tyres without extending the wheelbase. The geometry stays rideable; the capability increases.

Workshop scenes like this show the reality of frame building. OSB boards stained with years of resin drips. Tools within reach. The concentration of someone creating something that matters to them.

Dan's gravel grinder will handle whatever surfaces he finds. The dropped stays will clear tyres designed for rough terrain. The frame taking shape here is about capability, not compromise. 🔩