After lurking for years, I may finally have something to contribute!
I bought this frame from Laing (who managed to keep it in amazing condition) here on the board in August and then promptly... waited for parts to be back in stock. At least I got to enjoy looking at the pearly orange quietly catching the sunlight for a few months.
Inspired by Rob Perks' Ocean Air Ramblers, I went for a mix of Paul and White Industries parts, with a classic Nitto stem/seatpost combination. The wheels were built by Riv - the MI5 hubs are probably overkill for the riding I do, but I like them.
After riding moustache, albastache and a variety of flat bars for years, the Shaka Bars are my first try at drop bars, and I'm sold. The Fabio's chest is great to carry snacks and small dogs. I have absolutely no use for the Erlen rack, but it's here for now.
I'm particularly happy with the shiftings I get from Dura Ace / GRX combination, probably the best I've ever had. After two years of frustrating friction shifting and an unconvincing attempt to combine an XT derailleur with a Microshift shifter on another bike, the precision I get every time I shift on the Hillborne is very satisfying.
It's a fun bike, lighter and faster than I anticipated and I can almost keep up with the electric bikes on the greenway now.