I tried the Titec H bar setup. Liked them but just like the Jones H bars they don't have enough room on the grip ends to properly mount conventional brake and shift levers. Can't believe they didn't add a little more length to the grip area to do it right. The loop bars look intriguing but a little pricey and they have enough space on the grip portion to mount brake and shift levers.

Thudbuster LT works well for me in conjunction with a Brooks B-17 saddle. Comfort in the saddle with the efficiency of a hardtail. One of the top rated products on MTBR.com
http://www.mtbr.com/cat/suspension/suspension-seatpost/cane-creek/thudbuster/prd_353254_150crx.aspx

This looks like a good deal for a nice Dynamo hub (probably sp) and an exposure revo light: http://www.wiggle.com/exposure-revo-mk1-dynamo-bike-light-with-use-hub-pack#tabBuyNow

This is a discussion on the Exposure Revo light and a few posts give some good information on other topics.
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/exposure-dynamo-light

Here is a good web page that talks about hub dynamos, bottle dynamos, solar panels, batteries and converters: http://cyclingabout.com/index.php/2013/04/awesome-power-resource-dynamo-hubs-solar-panels-power-supplies-and-batteries-for-bicycle-touring/

An interesting article (if you are a geek!) on smartphone power consumption:
https://www.usenix.org/legacy/event/usenix10/tech/full_papers/Carroll.pdf

I've got a SON 28 on the Fargo, with an e-Werk, for topping up Exposure Diablo, or the 800, or phone - one device at a time as required, no USB hub to reduce current and to keep the whole setup as simple and uncomplicated (read reliable) as possible. It needs to survive a heavy downpour and freezing overnight conditions to be reliable, and I don't want to be fussing over miles of cables and connectors.

Still deciding if I'll kit up the fat with a power system.

I hear you on the reliability and simplicity aspect! Your system sounds really nice. My problem was (is) using stuff I had and going on a budget. My old Garmin 60csx is AA battery powered so when you plug in the USB cable to run it, it has to come off a cache battery. The old smartphone I use simply as a music player is not waterproof but hey it still works. My cygolite charges with a usb cord too so hence the hub.
I am thinking of going with a anker cache battery with a dual usb output so I can eliminate the USB hub and some wires.
How do you recharge you phone or don't you mess with one?
It use to be the endurance bike packer went with everything battery powered but now it looks like internal batteries and a dynamo hub might be the way to go.

There seems to be a lot of interest in hub dynamos and their related electronic questions. I have recently jumped on board and now have a hub dynamo, and converter box along with lots of wires!

Here are a couple of pics of my set up. I am still learning but so far it is working although I am sure it will change over time.

My biggest questions are the electric draw of the various devices and the actual output of the hub once it is run through the converter plus the losses one incurs?? Also what is everyone else using for hub, converter etc??

I hope everyone is watching Sara Dallman's amazing finish!  She just pulled an all-nighter and has passed the 3 she caught a day or so ago.  Incredible riding!

I was instrumental in teaching her that technique as she passed me right before Pie Town last year!

Just when I thought Kent had pulled too far away from James for him to catch up, I look at their trackers and James is now just a few miles back!

I really want to know how Billy Rice was able to get through a closure when no one else has been able to??? Anyone know?

Good old fashioned ground work. He worked on his own to get a permit to go through the closed areas. Perseverance, planning and making things happen are suppose to be a huge part of the TD!

It looks like Billy Rice will be the only rider to complete the regular course AND in both directions!

Kent's lead is now around 42 miles over James. James seems to fall back then make a big push to catch up. Will that continue?

If my math is correct Mike Hall was 29 hours 29 minutes faster to Abiquiu than JP. That is the last point where both Mike and Jay shared the same route.

See that Billy Rice, our favorite YoYo is in Colorado, passing folks like he hasn't don't this already this year. Admiration.

So how many more people will Billy pass before the end of the race??

And huge props to Mike Hall for doing the unthinkable! Talk about raising the bar. How many people on the planet could seriously challenge what he has laid down?

Jack Brennan, race director of Tour of the Gila and proprietor of Gila Hike & Bike phoned me yesterday to say they had ordered a Welsh flag to fly at the shop in Mike's honor. I'm happy to see Mike stopped in this morn. If that flag could make it down to AW somehow, hoisting it above the port is just the kind of stunt our border guard friend Tim would have fun with.

Good luck getting it to AW before Mike arrives!

  Enjoyed visiting with Prentiss when he spent the night...here is another photo of him at Montana High Country Lodge.

You missed the most important part. His shoes!!!

Love the flat pedals!  Is he riding SS?  I couldn't tell from the pic.

Yes. Last year he rode a much bigger gear. I don't know how much he walked but he must of worn out his Converse shoes!

The most epic battle of all! James Hodges has retaken the 60 plus division lead over Kent Davidson!

I can't believe that some asshat texted Eric. Unbelievable. it's one thing to respond when a sponsor bursts into a forum to promote questionable services, but it's something else entirely to text a racer like that. As Matthew has often said, it's better to keep the online world out of the race--which is possible if a racer chooses not to surf the web, but not if some idiot intrudes by texting, calling, etc.

Hopefully Eric will track down the number after the race and expose the jackass.

Here's hoping that Eric will take the high road and not respond. Speaking from experience focusing on the negative has never worked for me!