@Nikwax- I have the Axiom Journey disk (http://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...&category=3538 ) on my Muirwoods, it will just clear a 29x2.1 without a fender. You could probably get creative with splitting a fender to mount ahead of and behind the rack.

@barretscv- Muirwoods is a good starting point to build a tough, multi-purpose commuter/beater bike from. I hated the Hayes MX4 brakes, when Andy went to drop bars I bought his BB7 brakes and installed them with compessionless brake cable housing, made a night and day difference. Since mine was getting used as a rigid 29er, I installed a mtb geared crankset (FSA and cheap, don't remember the exact model) and bigger tires. with a different front der I could just wedge in a 2.1" rear tire, front has room for whatever you want to run. I recently put a set of trekking bars on mine, and went back to 700-42 tires as I build it into a all surface touring bike. It is a jack of most trades, master of none sort of bike.