Very nice build.  Thank you for posting your story, it is extremely helpful.

How are the wheels?

Would you buy from BTLOS again?

The Shimano road brakes work with mountain levers and vice versa, so I was thinking of 105 flat mounts and XT levers.

I have asked Titan if they make custom bars based on their catalog designs, but haven’t yet got an answer.  They have a couple of interesting bars.

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/group/Titanium-Handlebar-Bar-End/705853_210908902.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.0.0.3fe41b5fxNZ8OD

I may go back to plan A, which was a custom Ti frame, to get a geometry that works with a regular length fork, and not have other potential compromises of adapting the mtb geometry frame.  The mtb frames seem to be built around a 500mm+ fork, which would look strange and would be much flexier and heavier than a sub 400mm fork.  The hta might work with a shorter fork, but that would be more down to luck.

I will reach out to Carbonda regarding a fork.

Title is a good summary.

2.1” 650b tires would work, but would prefer up to 2.25” or 2.4”.

Designing for flat alt bar, Koga Denham, so ideally a longer reach, all else equal.

Prefer a more relaxed geometry, with longer chainstays.

So far the closest I have found is the CFR696, but comparing across models and makes can be tricky, due to sizing differences.

Any good options?

The price has almost doubled since July.