Ultimate all rounder frames

I’ve been thinking about this for years now and never quite found the right frame, but I’m getting impatient.

Anyoway, I’ve got a “fat tire road bike” that can fit up to 38c tires, 35 if I want to be sure they won’t rub. And a singlespeed 29 plus. Those are my closest to a true all rounder but ones a but too Road focused and the others too mtb focused. They’re great all rounders in their categories, but don’t do the other discipline very well.

I want a bike to do more 1-3 day overnighters, where i may go a super long distance over smooth gravel and road but encounter technical singletrack or super bear up Jeep roads along the way, maybe some somewhat technical singletrack. And be good as a daily commuter. Something I can bike 15 miles across town loaded up and throw in a 15 mile detour on our local XC trails if I want.

I’d like to be able to fit at least a 2.0 29er tire. Dropper, handle additional weight/bikepacking gear. Yet be respectably quick on road and gravel.

My list I’ve narrowed down to so far is..
Salsa cutthroat
REEB sams pants
Matter wolf beard
Moots baxter(probably out of my price range)

I usually lean towards steel bikes, I’ve always liked how they rode and prefer steel over TI. Carbon I’m partial to, I like it if it’s built for strength, but not sure I’d trust a cutthroat. I like to do dumb stuff on my bikes I’ve broken carbon components and a frame before.

Custom builders are an option but would really like to keep the frame cost to around 2500 or less.

Any tips on how to build it, tires, components, etc are definitely welcome

gorilla monsoon could be an option too

There's SO much good stuff out there.

I recently learned why two associates are so happy with their Kona Sutra Ltd. bikes after having a Fargo (gen4, 2016). I have the OEM complete bike. One associate built his from frame only, another is mostly the stock 2018 bike but different crank and wheels.

Sorry, but I haven't considered a dropper on it as much as those are a must for my MTBs.

The core of why I like it so much is it being between the mellow freighter the Fargo is and some lighter bikes I've enjoyed. Even without my getting a season end value, it's a bike with modern axles, hydro brakes and 1x. It's a bit stiffer or responsive compared to some steel bikes but not beat you up stiff. Anything that seemed more attractive or outstanding was a lot more money and I feel kind of done with custom bikes. For decades customs made more sense. Now there are so many fine products out there that just a few stops at 4 shops let me try 9 brands and more models and that didn't include the big Specialized dealer in our area.

My usual trying to delay gratification worked. I tried a bunch of stuff a few times. Slept on it, then did it again. To me that really helps. It's getting what seems right. Try lots of stuff would be my biggest piece of advice.

Specialized AWOL/Sequoia might be worth looking at

Bombtrack Hook EXT (steel)
Jamie’s Renegade series (fit up to a 42, larger with 650b)
Kona Sutra LTD as mentioned above
Norco Search XR series

Black Mountain Cycles Road+ or MCD are on my list, just need to take a day to go up to the shop and visit.

I recently purchased the Litespeed GRAVEL bike. I got it in a size large. I have one set of 700 C tires with 32‘s on it for commuting from Chantilly into DC and home. Also for group rides. Also have another set of 650b or 27.5 wheels with 2.1 nobby‘s for off-road. The bike also comes with four water bottle mounts or top tube bag mount as the 4th.
It also has mounts for fenders and rack mounts.
It is a reasonable light weight bike.
Practically indestructible.
I love the bike!
I enjoy all the ride characteristics.
The 2.1 Maxxis Crossmark 2 tires fit up front no problem, but the chainstay area is a narrow fit.

Not sure what size bike you ride but I saw a Raleigh Roker Comp used size 54 cm used on Ebay today. That is a steal of a deal for that bike.

Zman

I could see doing the Matter Wolfbeard if they are local and accessible. The Black Mountain Monstercross is about what I would do, fit and geometry-wise, even if I went custom steel.

I take my Fargo everywhere. Pavement, gravel, two track, forest service roads, single track. It is steel. The Cutthroat is the carbon equivalent. It's about the adventure, not the bike.

Otso Warakin or Waheela if you need a dropper.  Both can fit 2" tires. 

I've got my Gorilla Monsoon for listed in the for sale section if that bike interests you at all.  Great bike just don't ride it like I should.