Baja Divide – packing set-up

Hey /r/bikepacking

Experienced bike tourer here, seeking advice for an offroad set-up. I'll admit, I haven't kept totally up to speed with the industry since the early 2000's, and I am totally overwhelmed with all the options. Seeking your thoughts about potential packing set-ups.

Info:

• Route: Baja Divide
• When: This December/January
• Bike: Panorama Taiga EXP 2

At this point, I've ordered a full framebag and gastank from Thief Bikepacking.

I am leaning towards using an Old Man Mountain Divide Rear Rack with some micropanniers, and a rolltop bag (similar to what I used when I was touring on tarmac). Seatbags seem like a PITA, although I do have a Wayward Riders Louise

Ideally, I'd like to keep my sleep system and tent mounted up front, but I am conflicted about using a handlebar bag. I do have a Decathalon handlebar harness that I used once on my mountain bike, and I hated the feeling of my tent bouncing around on my bars.

I've been in love with the idea of a Porteur rack for many years, but I am (1) not sure it's suitable for offroad, and (2) most aren't compatible with my carbon fork.

As far as I can tell, I have 3 options:

1) A front rack (Another Old Man Mountain Divide)

2) A handlebar cradle: Tailfin Bar Cage and bag. Salsa anything cradle and Miss Grape Ilcoso are comparable options, but slightly less refined.

3) A steerer mounted rack/bag support such as the 7 road nest, and a flaptop bag such as a bags by bird or similar, potentially mounted on a bar extender.

All three options are pretty expensive, but option one is probably the most expensive, if I include the thru axle adapter.

The fork does have 3-pack mounts as well and can accommodate 5-7L panniers.

I am trying to come up with a reasonable packing strategy. Although I'd love to strap my tent and sleep system to a surly 24-pack rack, I don't think that's feasible and I need to re-evaluate.

Do I get a Bar Cradle with an 8L or 11L bag, and use it for my sleeping bag, pad, and tent w/o poles (if it'll fit?). Or could I fit all 3 of these into 2x 5L panniers?

Also need to keep options open for carrying 10-14L of water at some points…

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

EDIT: I don't really mind spending money for good quality or boutique things, but I would like to buy pieces that I can mix and match for a variety of 2-6 weeks international trips over the next few years.