GSI-Man – Yes. I've fitted the standard NNs with a Joes kit. Seems to be holding up OK. Still to experiment with tyre pressures to see if it makes a lot of difference, but really just hoping to reduce pinch-flats.
Dougal – I know there are lighter bits available, but I'm trying to compromise for the sake of some ruggedisation. Thanks for the comment on the Poploc thread – I'll stick up a photo of my solution in a moment.
So far, it's working out just fine. It's light enough to easily shoulder up a non-existent path for 500M of ascent and comfy enough to descend at (my) speed and to take on Laggan red.
I reckon that the 120mm forks are just acceptable when climbing – the front end feels very light but doesn't wander. 100mm was an option but I really wanted the Maxle.
My only issue so far has been with the seatpost slipping. Reading through MTBR, this seems to be a fairly common complaint. Of course, I was also a bit wary of over-tightening given I've fitted a carbon seatpost. In any case, I think I'm gonna give the Gravity Dropper a try-out on it as soon as I get a shim. The frame already has cable stops for a seatpost remote too. I might tart it up with an ano red clamp.