As far as the fork travel, that sounds like plenty for a drop-bar bike, any more would mostly be annoying except when descending rough trails.
I've ridden through this early spring on a cheap hybrid with a very short-travel SR-Suntour fork and some 1.9" tires that I fitted, and the 40mm suspension travel is very much appreciated even without having any damper (spring only)!
$1k suspension units scare me off, but I am not the target for the CC fork.
And given the likely high parts costs and vulnerability of the stanchion tube surfaces, they should incorporate rubber gaiters or at least offer a well-designed pair as an option.
The old Rockshox P-R forks had very limited air-sprung travel but ate up typical bumps in the road nicely, so I appreciate that newer lightweight minimalist designs are being made available for drop-bar bikes, it's about time.
