Please help choozing a size of a rigid steel bikepacking frame for a person with 6'1" height and 37" inseam.

I've decided to buy my first steel rigid MTB-like bike for bikepacking, trails etc for the first time in my life.

Worse part is, that I can’t figure out the geometries and sizing at all. I’m 186 cm (6'1") with a 93...94 cm (~36.6”...37") inseam. My wingspan (ape index) is 1 which means that I have a standard arms length and most probably my torso is a bit shorter than usual since my inseam is much longer than standard.

I have no clue if I should go for a L or an XL and which could be worse. With size L I’m worried about a really-really massive amount of seatpost showing which I would rather avoid. With size XL I will probably have a too long reach although this might be relieved with a backswept bar and short stem but I’ve got no clue how it would affect the steering quality… I’m looking to achieve a rather upright and relaxed position in which I could sit for long days of riding.

I’ve looked at frames similar like Kona Unit X, Surly Ogre, Surly Bridge Club, Brother Big Bro, On One Bootzipper (I’m located in EU and I’m not sure if I have access to US brands). The main dimensions of the frames that I’ve considered are following (note that I don’t have much knowledge about geometries but I think those are the most important for me):

Kona Unit X

• L effective top tube = 637; reach = 475; seattube = 470;
  
• XL effective top tube = 675; reach = 510; seattube = 530
  
  

Surly Ogre
-L effective top tube = 615; reach = 427.6; seattube = 508
-XL effective top tube = 640; reach = 447; seattube = 558

Surly Bridge Club
-L effective top tube = 615; reach = 434.5; seattube = 508
-XL effective top tube = 630; reach = 444 ; seattube = 558.8

Brother Big Bro
-L effective top tube = 620; reach = 432 ; seattube = 508
-XL effective top tube = 645; reach = 452; seattube = 559

On One Bootzipper 650b
-L effective top tube = 621; reach = 458; seattube = 483
-XL effective top tube = 647; reach = 480; seattube = 510

Link with all the geometries is here: https://geometrygeeks.bike/compare/kona-unit-x-2020-l,kona-unit-x-2020-xl,surly-ogre-2020-lg,surly-ogre-2020-xl,surly-bridge-club-2018-lg,surly-bridge-club-2018-xl,brother-big-bro-2021-large-20,brother-big-bro-2021-xlarge-22,on-one-bootzipper-650b-2019-lrg,on-one-bootzipper-650b-2019-xlg/

I have a 21” vintage MTB that I’m commuting with and with and its seattube is 54 cm and measuring from the top of the seat-tube til the end of the saddle I get about 28-29 cm of saddle+seatpost. I’m actually having doubts about the looks of the seatpost but you can be the judge (pic of the setup here: https://ibb.co/qCdrFqG

Going back to the seattube lengths of the framesets, only Ogre, Bridge Club and Big Bro with XL size have a seat-tube which would not need a longer seapost than I already have on my commuter. And from them, the Bridge Club has the shortest reach & top tube which sounds the best for me, but I’m still cautious about the reach.

Regarding the solution with a really short stem and swept back handlebars – how does it ride like and how bad it actually is? Is there any reason to worry? There are many articles online which are saying a short stem makes the handling bad and unstable etc etc…

Nonetheless, there are plenty of setups that have handlebars with the same line as the top tube or even closer to the saddle, for instance

Bombtrack Beyond Adv: https://www.bombtrack.com/complete-bikes/beyond-plus-adv

Crust Scapegoat: https://bikepacking.com/bikes/goats-crust-scapegoat/

Kona Unit X: https://bikepacking.com/bikes/kona-unit-x-review/

Big Bro: https://www.brothercycles.com/2017/02/big-bro-build-bicycle-ambulance/

Surly Ogre: https://bikepacking.com/news/readers-rig-bas-surly-ogre/

Bridge Club: https://bikepacking.com/bikes/surly-bridge-club-review/

Bootzipper: https://www.cyclinguk.org/cycle-magazine/bike-test-one-bootzipper-29er

So my main questions are:

Should I go for L or XL?

Is there anyone with the similar issue and what’s your setup? Can you please post a picture of your setup?

How much would it actually affect my steering when I go for instance a 5 cm stem and a nice swept back bar to get a relaxed touring position?

Are there any similar frame geometries that have a rather long seat-tube but a shorter reach?

Or is getting this type of bike hopeless with my length and inseam and I should go for a different style of bike? For instance I think Crust Evasion can fit big rubbers and has a much shorter reach but I’m not sure it’s a good bike for my budget + it’s most probably really hard to find one also especially in the EU.

Thanks!