Hm. A mate has an older Supernatural (i900 I think) that is probably three years old now, maybe older, and still in great working order with basically no attention bar a new cable and stanchion greasing. I’ve got a Reverb that I like in a larger post frame. I know what you mean about the loop, that frame has a bridge between the stays though, and I’ve routed along the down tube and up the seat tube behind the stay so it stays pretty well out if the way. Usually my leg would be covering it from snags and I don’t remember noticing catching myself on it once.
What was worrying me more on the Lev was the number of stories I’ve heard of that thread snapping. Overall I’d much prefer the fixed entry point as I’ve got a spare set of cable guides due to no front shifting and I’d like to keep it clean. The Thomson name is a big draw, though and buying from ze French is about 50 quid cheaper than a ks from stif, who seem to be the only people in the UK advertising Lev 27.2’s and able to actually sell one…