Cyclocross - Habanero Ti cyclocross frame

Does anyone have anything critical to say about the Habanero Cyclocross/Touring frame? I'm thinking of building one up mostly for general riding and some touring. It will not be used for true cyclocross racing and just wondered if it is stiff enough to carry some loaded panniers. As always, thank you for your thoughts.

I've had one for a couple of years and wouldn't trade it for anything. Most versatile bike in the stable. Mine is a 57cm, I'm 200# and lack of stiffness isn't an issue.

I bought it after riding a Habby road frame for 10k+ miles (which I still have and ride). I mostly do road riding with 25-28c tires and just swap different wheels with 35c knobbies for trails (both old-school DA hubs, 3X, O4CD rims; the boutique wheels stay on the road frame). Outfitted with Dura Ace 10 triple group, it rides great - more stable and relaxed than the road frame. Also have some cheap rack on it and carry gear on occasion with no issues.

I did have Mark route the cables "road style" rather than along the top tube and also lengthen the head tube about 1/2". The STI-style cable stops weren't available then; I'd probably have those substituted now for the downtube bosses. These changes may cost you some $ and wait time but for me it was worth it.

Only issue I had was the initial Ritchey WCS fork and *horrible* front brake shudder. I tried many different cantis, mini-Vs, travel agents with Vs, toe-in setting, etc. and nothing helped. Replaced the fork with an Alpha-Q CX and no more issues using either Paul Touring or IRD Kafams. The Alpha-Q doesn't have eyelets for a rack, though.

That does look like a great frame. Thanks for the review.

Michael