Planning to get a hardtail 29er in the next month or so, for longer day rides and a bit of bike-packing. But I'd also like to be able to tour on it with panniers at some point. Think I want either steel or ti if I can afford it.
The Salsa Fargo could work but think it's a bit too utility bike...what else is out there, or how easy/sensible/expensive is it to weld on rack mounts?
Singular Gryphon? - though it's sold as a rigid frame & forks rather than hard tail.
Friend has a Giant Talon 29er hardtail & we fitted a rack to it for some touring. It has the eyelets on the rear dropouts for the lower fittings, and we used a nifty seatpost clamp with integrated rack mount for the upper fittings. Solid as a rock!
Genesis Fortitude? Rigid forks only though....
Got a rack on my Voodoo Bokor. Cheap as chips and surprisingly decent dual purpose commuter/occasional larking about bike. Work away from home a lot so keep it at my "second home". Rack is a disc mount Topeak Explorer. Took ages to get one - there seemed to be no stock anywhere for several months. Be warned...
Surly Karate Monkey would fit the bill.
http://surlybikes.com/bikes/karate_monkey
I've got one. It's a great all rounder and has the mounts you need. Go for the Ogre if you want something more touring-specific, although I guess that may be a tad utilitarian given your OP.
http://surlybikes.com/bikes/ogre
The older frames like mine only have eyelets on the dropouts, but I happily run a rack on mine with the addition of one of these babies:
http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/salsa-rack-lock-seatpost-clamp-1915-p.asp
Newer frames have mounts top and bottom though I believe.
Fargo a bit utility? Probably need a Fargo Ti then ;o)
inbred?