If you don't need a custom build. I reckon Sam's offerrings at

www.singularcycles.com  look pretty decent (Singletrack thought so too).

I'm in the Cotic Soul camp but I think a steel or Ti 29 is an interesting idea and worth a test ride one some time.

Not really, geometry page says 50mm difference between smaller and XL model. I think you're confusing the 29" MTB with the new Peregrine, which looks to have a shorter TT and non-suspension corrected forks, hence the longer TT. It looks good, like it'd be a nice rough touring machine.

aaagh... MW, you could have just made me spend £500...

>

now, if i can't convert the present wheels to QR, and i can't find a brake which allows me to remove my wheels from track ends, i mgiht have to