as I've said bob, I've had great experience with sq taper. I forgot to mention before, but I will be using 9 speed, and when I started looking at crank options--use my present mtn crank off the commuter (might have to replace a ring or two) , pick up a used mtn crank sq taper, it all comes down to options of cost, and seeing the 9 speed trekking deore crankset with bb for about 100 bucks is a good deal---but really I started the thread to get opinions on real world life of outboard stuff, as I've never owned a bike with it, haven't worked on it, and only have one friend who has a bike with it and she doesnt ride it that much, so have never looked at it or taken it apart.

Plus, I've heard opinions going both ways in terms of longevity, so didn't really know what to think.

re 9 speed, I've toured on 6, 7, 8, 9 speed, and I would go 10 for this bike, but given where I want to go, I figure sticking with 9 would be still best for any parts issues that could come up. I've lived and travelled in Latin America a bit, and my friends in Costa Rica who do mtn biking tell me that 10 stuff is avail there, but I still like the idea of sticking with 9, as I would love to travel in countries that may not have the same options as CR.
Same reason I want to stick with 26in wheels, a bit stronger also and I don't want to get into the 700 or 29er issues when travelling in Latin America, and can live with 26 easily as I continue to use it on my old mtn bike.

I do however want to use dropbars and mech disc brakes. Drops simply because they are still the most comfortable for me, and mech discs just because of being on dirt, rain, mud etc for rims, and I've never had a disc bike, so figure what the hell, try it out. Folks have been touring with them out in the boonies now for years, its not much of a gamble, lots of solid use touring.

so Im thinking of going wild, ext bb and discs! ;-)

I appreciate your comments though, thanks.