I’d say the Specialized Diverge ticks pretty much all the OPs boxes.

Isn’t that what he’s already got?

That Warbird looks interesting the way my needs are converging towards the ‘One.’

Ah yes, not sure how I missed that! However the newer ones now seem to have regular 142 axle spacing and a threaded bb (although I think the higher end carbon ones might still be press fit).

Fairlight Faran

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/403732617472?hash=item5e0056d900:g:NkcAAOSwQm1hcTw~
Check out Planet X eBay site above. I got the same frameset in the ‘lovely’
Cream egg colours and have built it up as a flat bar Sram 1×11 bike as I prefer a flat bar. Without trying it weighs just over 9kg. The FreeRanger always has good reviews.

I can +1 for the Ritchey Outback.

+1 Freeranger and I’ve 50c gravel tyres on one wheelset and 28c slicks on another.

Would a carbon bike with panniers be a concern regarding load weight in general or am i overthinking things! Chances are ill be using it mainly for just a rough rural road/occasional bridelway bike with the occasional bikepack and asperations for a bit of touring! I reckon 90/5/5 split.

It’ll take a hammering, mine spends at least half it’s time on rocky routes.

Surly midnight special, really comfortable on all day road rides, great on forest roads greenlanes etc.
Mines currently set up with 650×47 wtb byways and full mudgaurds

@jodafett Would you mind PM’ing me some details on the Bokeh? Been looking for one for a while!