My buddy has a Surly Disc Trucker, 26 inch wheels/tires. We rode a gravel event last year and he commented a couple of times he wished he had a lighter bike. more specifically... "remind me next time to buy a lighter bike." He's half kidding. Of course another bike is in his future, some day. But he loves his DT. Carries racks front and back, uses rear panniers the most. He is car-less, and rides it everywhere in all weather, and has taken a couple of bike packing trips. And he just upgraded to hydraulic brakes.
But it's a heavy bike compared to many other offerings.
eric/fresno, ca.