Originally Posted by
gregjones
Something similar
that does this would lower it. I don't think it would work with a carbon fork and I wouldn't pay eighteen dollars for it, but the idea is on the right track.
A nice sheet of scrap aluminum from the hardware store is ~$10 and everyone should have a pair of tin snips and a drill. I mostly make my own custom long brackets for that situation.
Reflectors should stay.
Nice bike!
I think you'll find you prefer panniers. I'm not familiar with those, but I much prefer panniers that attach and unattach from the rack very easily. It's worth spending a bit more to get something with a quick release system to make it a snap instead of a daily chore.