Kurt's Pivot LES SL drop bar MTB - a purpose-built bikepacking rig

I converted my go-to Pivot LES SL hardtail to a drop bar mountain bike for some BIG bikeapcking adventures in 2025. Here's a rundown of the setup, the mated GRX/XT/XTR parts, my packing setup, and how it all worked on a 500-mile trip tracing the Arizona-Mexico border.

Build details:
-- Pivot LES SL - medium
-- Industry Nine Trail Solix M + Trail 280 Carbon wheelset
-- Shimano GRX shifters
-- Shimano XT rear derailleur + 10-51 cassette
-- Shimano XTR single piston calipers
-- Shimano XTR cranks (170mm)
-- Ergon SMC Sport Gel saddle
-- Redshift Top Shelf 50cm handlebars with Ergon BT Gravel bar tape
-- Industry Nine A318 stem (50mm)
-- Maxxis 29x2.4 EXO Aspen tires
-- Wolf Tooth centerlock rotor lockrings + headset spacers
-- Fox 34 120mm fork

Other details:
-- Revelate Designs Nano Panniers on Old Man Mountain Divide rack
-- Revelate Designs Pronghorn handlebar harness/bag
-- Revelate Designs Stote seat bag
-- Revelate Designs Mag Tank top tube bag
-- HydraPak Recon on downtube + 2x Breakaway 30oz bottles on fork in Salsa Stainless cages bolted to Wolf Tooth Bottle Cage Relocators hose clamped to fork
-- Fenix BC21R light on handlebars