u/Horror_Yam_7739

I’m stuck between a few very different gravel bikes/frames and I’d really appreciate some real-world opinions, especially from people who have actually ridden them.
What I’m looking for
Fast gravel / light bikepacking
Mostly gravel, forest roads, some road
I’d like to run 50 mm tires (at least 45-46 mm if 50 isn’t possible)
I’d like to keep a 46T chainring (or even bigger) because I ride a lot of road between gravel sections.
Budget matters, but I’m willing to spend more if it’s actually worth it.
1. Marin Nicasio 2
Pros:
Looks absolutely gorgeous.
Steel frame + carbon fork.
Shimano GRX 2x10 with 46/30 crank out of the box.
Modern thru-axles and nice build quality.
Seems like a bike I’d keep for years.
Cons:
Heavy (around 11.7 kg complete, frame around 2.3 kg).
Tire clearance seems confusing depending on the source. Marin currently sells it with 700×45 tires, but I’ve seen different numbers online regarding the maximum clearance.
2. Seaboard GR04
Pros:
Aluminium frame.
Affordable.
Nice geometry.
Modern standards.
Potentially lighter build than the Marin.
Cons:
Almost no long-term reviews.
Claimed frame weight is around 2.4 kg, which sounds pretty heavy for aluminum.
Official tire clearance is only around 45 mm, and I’d really like 50 mm if possible.
3. Finna Carbon Gravel
Looks interesting because it’s carbon, but I can’t find many owner experiences either.
How’s the ride quality?
Is it stiff?
Any issues with durability or warranty?
4. State Carbon Gravel
Also looks like good value on paper.
How does it compare to the others in terms of:
frame quality
ride feel
geometry
durability
customer support
What’s most important to me
Tire clearance (I’d love 50 mm).
Ride quality.
Frame stiffness.
Reliability.
Weight (important, but not the only factor).
I know the Marin is the heaviest option, but every time I look at it I think, “Damn… that’s a beautiful bike.” Sometimes aesthetics matter too.
If you had around this budget, which one would you buy and why?