Not that this means I won't change my mind five times again, but....

In the process of acquiring this new frame, I went back to the shop I worked at to build bikes once a day on the weekend. I have a M-F gig, but right now, if I want to do anything out of budget, I have to find other ways. All that to say that after building up some bikes of varying builds (awful caliper brakes, good caliper brakes, V- brakes, mechanical disc, a couple of hydraulic discs) I pretty firmly decided against mechanical disc. Dialed in V-brakes feel fantastic. Mechanical disc brakes are a pain due to only the outboard pad moving in and out. Hydraulic would be nice, but would require basically a whole new group at this point.

That and like I said before, a canti frame means I have everything else I need on hand. A disc option requires saving up for a wheelset and brakes. And I really want this bike by the end of September. We'll see if I change my mind again.

And thinking back to my last CX commuter/touring build, the V-brakes were perfect. It did get ridden in the rain and I never found myself wishing for more stopping power. Cleaning off black gunk is going to suck, though.