A Surly collection: Straggler, 1x1, Steamroller and LHT

Initially I was just going to sell the old Monkey, get Christmas out the way and then get one of the new KM frames - they tick a lot of the boxes with the MDS dropouts, 44mm headtube etc. Then I figured that was a safe option and maybe there was something else worth looking at... Krampus Ops could be fun... slack, clearance, huge tyres if I fancy... what about an El Mariachi? Or the Jones diamond frame and so on...

Basically I'm after something with a modular dropout (or fixed + ebb) as the old KM track ends are a bit of a PITA to remove the rear wheel when you run gears, especially when you're piss wet through, cold and it's the middle of the night... I've got the 1x1 for singlespeeding too so this is likely to be run geared through the summer and stored during winter...

Needs to have a 44mm headtube for Whiskey forks or new suspension, limited options for 1 1/8 these days... Want good clearance (big 2.4s and room for mud) but doesn't need to be 29+, I could always run the 27.5 wheels with + tyres if I wanted... Would like to keep the chainstays pretty short too...

I know I don't want a bikepacking bike (longitude, ECR, Fargo etc.), it needs to be something that's fun to ride and I'll just strap some bags to it and make do!