The Blackburn distributor here in Australia didn't even know about this stuff, suffice to say it is not coming to our shores. I'll be putting locally made alternatives into our shop - stuff I know will go the distance.

Plenty of people with all the gear and no idea, we see them around, generally not the kind you ask to come along on a trip with you...they like the concept of 'packing but don't like the hard work that goes along with it.

What you say Joey is true here as well.

Hose clamps will confirm to a wide variety of shapes.

I have just appended the blog post to include the details of the custom ti fork, and detailed a little bit more on some bits of the setup.

Glad you enjoy the blog alpinum! The Witjira is heading out with me again for ITI...counting down!

Here is an article on my ti Fargo - refined for the Kiwi Brevet earlier this year:

http://troyszczurkowski.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/salsa-fargo-ti-kiwi-brevet-2014-setup.html

Enjoy!

Hey Stick!

Shimano M088 - did the kiwi brevet this year with them, good rubber sole and available in wide shoe options

Shimano MT44 - like a run shoe, good width and correct size (I have a wide foot), quick lace system

Lake MX100 - tough outer, not real breathable (tough ripstop softshell outer) but keep out debris, narrow though so have to upsize for right width

Look at it this way. Most people new to the sport and on the buying train for their gear, only choose cottage made gear 'coz that's the only option. Once it's mainstream at their LBS from suppliers like Blackburn etc, these items will more than likely be chosen on price and 'it's in front me to play with'.

Like many on here I'm sure, will stick by the hardcore cottage guys, because we know their gear works and is tough for purpose. Joe Noob Public however may be more influenced by what they see in the magazines. This has got to be eating into marketshare in the long run for the cottage guys...

Agreed death knell is a bit strong term, but might hamper growth for them.

I know some folks use the joystick/diablo mounts for their fenix lights, similar diameter light.

Another vote for joystick/diablo/Exposure. Charge off dyno (via usb converter of course), cache battery, solar etc.

I've used them racing in NZ (summer) and Alaska (winter)

Could it be a death knell for cottage industry businesses?

Most frame bags are suited to smaller modular items like food, stove, tools and spares, leaving barbag/seatbag for the bulky items like a packraft or arctic layers and sleeping bag. As noted too the duallies have even less frame space.

For me - lots of beach riding and pushing up big sandhills. I'm racing the ITI in march, and will be coming straight from our Aussie summer

I might spend some time in the chiller room in the shop next door...

Seriously cool!

One saddle that has worked well for me was a Spec. Avatar 143mm. One of them has sagged a bit in the middle. The cover is in good condition, the gel still comfy, so I shoved a bouncy ball between the rails and the saddle to support the centre section to keep the saddle in service. Worked a treat.

No groaning here, would like to info hear info too.

Sure gives you less framebag storage

But more seatpost hanging out the frame can increase the comfort, depending on your post choice - without going thudbuster.

Go 180 front and rear and run metal pads, got this setup on the fargo with bb7r and love it for heavy loaded long descents. If you fist a rotor, you can swap it for optimum braking and no sizing issue with caliper adaptors.

There was a route report here a while back on threading through Noble Canyon.

Great scenery, reminiscent of new Zealand.

Hey Andrew, yeah, only admin can clean that mess up.

Bonk breaker  bars for a prepacked snack, or osm bars (one square meal)

Yep, I run a black drom (the heavier weight fabric than the red dromlite) in my rev framebag (similar design to the ranger) on a moonlander and fargo. Can easily fit the 4L with about 3L in it. I use the MSR hose kit, along with a quick release hose kit from camelbak and an insulated hose kit to get it to the bars, I stiffened the hose bite end with a spoke (small looped the ends for safety) so the hose stands up for hands free, 4" above the stem.

Could easily jam the 6L in the framebag if I removed the framebag separator, but then you have to draw the water up the hose from lower on the bike - more mouth suck power required...