looking to build up a new tourer that will take a bigger tyre than my LHT will, so I can keep doing a bit of offroad exploring.

the fargo looks idea, but the new gryphon looks sublime. are they the same bike in a different flavour?

does one offer anything better than the other?

The general feedback I’ve had is that the Fargo is built to be quite a bit stiffer than the Gryphon – essentially a bike designed to carry a load. The Gryphon is designed more as a purpose built mountain bike, which has the flexibility of being an adventure tourer as well. For a man of your stature and if you are going to be primarily using it for loaded touring you may well be best off with a Fargo.

There is a good and impartial comparison of the two frames here. It’s somewhat dated now, both bikes have changed a bit, though their essence is the same.

Sam, you are a gent…..I was going to mail you direct to ask this.
thanks for your honesty mate….. 8)