Norco Search Ultegra 2016 £1999 ($2660)

Here are some pictures that might help answer your mudguard fitting question.

I don't have any mudguards laying around to try to fit, but to my eye, I don't see why any reasonably sized mudguard wouldn't fit on there.

Those are Clement USH 35mm tires. If you went much larger, you may have a bit of a tight squeeze.

I ordered the frameset only (sorta - long story).  

I built mine using (mostly) stuff I had laying around.  

I wanted to try a 1x11 setup, so I used an Ultegra crankset I had but installed a Wolftooth 40t narrow wide chainring (you can see it in one of the pictures).

The RD is currently an Ultegra 6800 GS with a Wolftooth Roadlink adapter and a SRAM 11-32 cassette.   

I like this setup really well, but after one particular ride where I had to hoof it up a 20% grade, I decided I needed a little more gear range, so I ordered a Wolftooth Tanpan, and will use it with an XT Shadow rear derailleur and a Shimano 11-40 cassette.   

This is just an experiment really. If it doesn't work out, I'll just bolt a derailleur on it and put the 11/34 chainrings back on.   

This is my second bike with TRP Hy/Rd brakes.  My first was my Volagi Viaje (see the picture thread).  They are really fantastic for a cable pull brake.   I tried Avid BB7's and they were crap.  I contemplated TRP Spyres and the Hy/Rds, and after reading some reviews decided to try the Hy/Rd's and have zero regrets. 

The reason I chose these over full hydraulic was because I already had a set of mechanical 6800 shifters, and didn't want to deal with the hassle of the hoses, bleeding, etc...

The TRP Hy/Rd is a fully closed system.  It never needs servicing (other than the occasional pad replacement).

Post up some ride pics of your bike when you get it.  

Edit:

You may also have noticed that my chain is completely dry. 

I'm using a parrafin hot wax called "Molten Speed Wax" on all of my bikes this year.   So far, it's been really great.  Everything stays so clean and dry.  The only downside is that it has to be re-applied fairly frequently (every 100-150 miles or so, depending on conditions).   I just treat three chains and rotate them as needed.  If needed, I will use some "Squirt" liquid wax treatment in between hot wax baths to extend the life another 75-100 miles. 

It's so nice not having muck and grime on the bikes.   No fear bringing them inside (once I've rinsed the mud off of them).  No more greasy hands, chainring tattoos, or oil/grease stains.

Sounds like we have a lot in common, at least as far as bikes go (not the wife thing.. I don't have one of those ).

Just tell her... they are the safest wheels you can get for riding gravel!!  She doesn't want you to get hurt does she?   

BTW, I just put some tubeless Clement MSO tires on.  This is my first experience with a tubeless installation.  I have to say, at least so far, it was a cinch.  Zero mess.  The tape was the biggest pain, just getting it centered in the rim channel.  Once that was installed, the rest was easy.

I put some Orange  sealant in them and inflated them up to 60psi (max) and rolled the around to get the sealant dispersed.  

I guess I'll see in the morning how much air they still have.

If the weather holds, and the tires are functional, I'm going to take it for a test spin on some local trails.  See how it goes. 

Edit: I may poke a little hole in one of the tires tomorrow to test the sealing process.  I guess I should know that works before I go riding off into the wilderness with them.

Interesting that you found the front end harsh.  I found mine very comfortable.

I'm curious what tires you are running, and at what pressure?  And what kind of riding are you doing? Gravel? Tarmac?