Daniel's Giant Panda Gravel Bike

That's what a properly ridden bike looks like. Daniel's "Giant Panda" build is caked in mud, leaning against a rusted farm gate, somewhere in flat British farmland.

The Lauf fork is the standout choice here — that distinctive leaf-spring suspension that smooths out rough terrain without the weight and complexity of traditional forks. It's bold, unusual, and clearly effective given how hard this bike has been ridden.

Mud on the tyres, mud on the frame, mud spattering up the seat tube. This isn't a garage queen; it's a working tool that gets used in all conditions. The "Giant Panda" name painted on the downtube adds personality.

The setting is proper British gravel: pylons on the horizon, stubble fields stretching to nothing, the kind of flat openness that means wind in your face no matter which direction you're heading.

Rust on the gate, rust on the bike isn't — the finish is holding up even after serious abuse. That's what matters: not how clean a bike stays but how well it performs when conditions turn difficult.

Giant Panda, small conditions. Keep riding, Daniel. 🐼

Want to build your own? See our gravel bike frame kit.