Frame advice - hardtail with a 40T (or more) chainring

[Deem]

I've just finished building a beachracer for beachracing with a 29er. 
- Frame: TanTan (Seraph) FM199 29ER*2.35Tire. Flared handlebar, seatpost and stem are also from TanTan.
- Control levers GRX ST-RX820 1x12s
- Flat mount brake calipersGRX RX820  (front Post Mount to Flat Mount adapter)
- Frontring 48t Narrow-wide (0 offset) with 10-45 (1x12speed) (https://www.themechanic-parts.com/)
- Rear derailleur GRX RX820 12s
- Crank XT 165mm
- Carbon rims: 40mm and 36mm (Elavo Carbon Ali) with Dt Swiss hubs and Sapim spokes (Spoke the carbon rims myself)
- Tyres: 60mm Schwalbe G-One Speed Evolution 60-622 and VITTORIA Tattoo II 29x2.3

[jefflinde]

I've just finished building a beachracer for beachracing with a 29er. 
- Frame: TanTan (Seraph) FM199 29ER*2.35Tire. Flared handlebar, seatpost and stem are also from TanTan.
- Control levers GRX ST-RX820 1x12s
- Flat mount brake calipersGRX RX820  (front Post Mount to Flat Mount adapter)
- Frontring 48t Narrow-wide (0 offset) with 10-45 (1x12speed) (https://www.themechanic-parts.com/)
- Rear derailleur GRX RX820 12s
- Crank XT 165mm
- Carbon rims: 40mm and 36mm (Elavo Carbon Ali) with Dt Swiss hubs and Sapim spokes (Spoke the carbon rims myself)
- Tyres: 60mm Schwalbe G-One Speed Evolution 60-622 and VITTORIA Tattoo II 29x2.3

Please post some pictures of this rig.  it sounds amazing.  Also would love to see the clearance on the chainring.  this sounds like the best option so far for the "monster gravel" style build.

[Deem]

Here are some pictures of the beach racer

[jefflinde]

Here are some pictures of the beach racer

that is awesome.  did you size down on the frame at all or just the shorter stem?  the long reach is one thing holding me back from this option unless i size down in frame. 

[Deem]

I've chosen my usual frame size with the shortest stem to reduce the reach. I also used a seat post without offset and moved the saddle forward. This setup works well for me, and I use 165mm cranks.

Have you heard of this website?
https://www.bikestem.fit/

[Aradell]

I just put a 44t chainring on my dropbar hardtail for a upcoming flat gravel race.

It's the YFM026 from Airwolf. I had a 40t and 42t on it without altering the chainline.
But to fit the 44 tooth chainring I put a extra 2mm spacer on the driveside. The clearance between the chainstay and is 3mm.
Shifting is still fine with Shimano GRX and a 10-51 cassette.