I’d say you’ll be better to balance your load across two bags, you’ll also have room to pick up some stuff along the way.

Camel Trail; it’s dusty in the dry and mega busy with people who’ve not ridden a bike for many a year,oh and dog walkers, walkers and horses if I remember. It was wet and soft, to the extent that my 1.5″ touring tyres were sinking into the surface when it was raining heavily on a return trip on one occaision.

There are some nice views though up and down the estuary.

I’d prefer to ride the minor roads round the little villages and along the coast, that is nice.

Another good service experience here, ordered Tuesday 0950, in my hands at 1030 this morning; well done to both Mr Smudge and Royal Mail!

Hood Arms at Kilve aswell

Blue Ball at Triscombe is nice

Get youself up onto North hill and ride into Minehead.

Mate at work sent me that, I can’t help but laugh at it every time….

RE the Plough, I’ve passed it last Sunday, it look’s open and has large ‘Under new management’ banners adorning the outside.

Fargo here, early days, but initial impressions very good!

Schwalbe Marathon Extremes are up to a bit of off roading and a much more reasonable weight.

Paul,
I’m a similar height to you, you can always use a Thompson, or other seta post with layback.

I’m ridng a short top tube Thorn Raven Tour which is designed for 26″ wheels and drop bars. (There is 55mm different in the top tubes-587 Frame size) I’m using straight bars with a 120mm stem with no problem.

I’ve looked around alot, Singular which make both drop and regular bar versions of 29ers only vary by 24mm (On the XL frames)in the top tube.

I’d say just go for it; play with stem, bars and seat post combinations, you’ll be fine. :-)

All the info you’ll need here:
http://forums.mtbr.com/salsa/salsa-fargo-thread-467422.html

There’s also a fargo apprciation group on Flickr

Cheers Guys,
Yes 11 on Rohloff is a direct 1:1 ratio, this is the same ratio as gear 5 on an 8 speed alfine.

1:1 is said to be the most efficient, whilst not discernable to me in terms of efficiency, you can certainly feel some difference through the pedals, but the wheels still go round.

I’ve got a day one SS with mini v brakes. I use it for the same puposes as you and really like it. The only bad point is the paint on mine is very brittle/soft and comes off far more easily than I’d like.

I’ve solved similar issues with application of ‘Plus Gas’ and patience; apply and wait.

It’s not a fossil fuel (thoughy probably burns if ignited) but an effective penetrating fluid.

Try googling Optilabs.

Kenda Small Block 8 are fast and light in the dry. Scwalbe Smart Sam offers more grip.

I did it with 8 speed, no problems; same overall cassette width, but slightly thicker chain I guess?

Small Block 8’s are good and fast

My tuppence worth; in my eyes a frame with that amount of seatpost exposed can look a little ‘unbalanced’. I’d recommend some of the Brooks saddles as being tall. I’m considering this one for my next build for the very same reason: http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brooks-team-professional-leather-saddle-with-chromed-steel-rails-prod770/

As recommended by some of the others, WTB and SDG also are worth a look, depends what you’re after/happy with.

I’ve got Deore V’s on mine with A719 rims and they do fit, but only just!
I also tried some Tektro oryx cantis and they were even worse when I offered them up.
Narrower rims should be less of a problem as you’ll have more room for the pads to move inward before hittiing the rim.
Discs ultimely have to be the way to go…

Cheers for the replies guys,
LBS is my prefered option, but a little spicy at nearly £300. I’ve never understood wheels and prefer to leave it to those that do, though thanks for the offers of support.