Help needed; I have been bitten and it’s starting to itch. I want to at least start ordering parts for the build of a modern loaded tourer. While I’ve been restoring and riding mostly lugged steel road bikes for some time, it’s only been recently the touring bike bug has really bitten.

I’ve been following these posts trying to glean what the most appropriate components would be. I think I’ve come up with a list of the usual suspects, but there are some blanks in my list so I was hoping to sponge some of your experience and expertise to help fill in the blanks.

Nothing has been purchased yet and I’m limited to only those manufacturers that I can get a deal on through the shop.

Here’s the list I’ve been working on so far:

Frame- Soma Saga (Can’t get a deal on LHT right now or it would be in the mix)
Rims- Mavic A719 or Velocity Dyad 36H
Hubs- XT
RD- XT
Cassette- Deore something, 9spd (Low range, not sure which yet)
FD- Not sure it matters that much, maybe a 105 or SLX or lower.
Headset- Cane Creek S3
Stem- ?
Bars- Want drop bars, Nitto Randos seem to be the big hit.
Seatpost- ?
Saddle- Not that important right now, but am thinking about finally trying a B-17
Tires- Vittoria Randonneur 700x35c
Shifters- Barcons, probably Shimano DA
Crankset- Kinda open on this one, am thinking an MTB would be more appropriate for my purposes, maybe an SLX although Sugino DX600 is appealing.
Brakes- Not sure yet, Paul’s seem to be the best canti choice but I’m open to suggestions.
BB- Depends on the crank.

Unless I’ve left something important out, the rest I’ll deal with later.
Thanks in advance!