Best frame for riding and light tours on mixed gravel & pavement

[DirtRoadRunner]

I currently run 42's on my CX bike, the problem is the bike's geometry and gearing, not having too small of tires.

[yoeddy1888]

I replaced my LHT with a Kona Sutra this year as I heard great reports on the Sutra's ability in handling gravel. It's true as I have ridden a few 100's miles of gravel  and logging roads with the Sutra and it handles like a dream. Also, kicks arse on asphalt.

[DirtRoadRunner]

The Sutra looks nice.  I like the trekking triple, included rack, and bar-end shifters.

How is the tire clearance?  I rode a really rough little 34-mile gravel grinder this weekend, running a paid of 700x42c Continental Cylocross Speed tires, and found myself wishing for even fatter rubber (bombing down a gravel road with occasional fist-size rocks, 20-25% grades, and deep potholes was a little nerve racking).

In fact, the roads this weekend were so rough, it made me think about a Fargo or another monstercross style bike that can run 700x45c or flat-our 29er tires.  Granted, I was able to complete the ride just fine on my current CX bike, other than having to walk up a few really, really steep (20-25% grade) sections near the end of the ride, when I was a little tired, and standing up on the pedals in the 34x32 low gear just resulted in wheelspin.

[yoeddy1888]

The tire clearance on the Sutra is, I would guess adequate for 45s, but I just run 35s so I can keep the fenders. My riding has been on sublime gravel and logging roads in Colorado, Idaho, Kansas and Nebraska and I have yet to encounter conditions such as you describe (fist-sized rocks). Pretty sure the Sutra would handled the conditions but not sure I would.  I was just reading the 2014 Sutra uses the same frame as the Rove, I've ridden the Rove and its a top-notch gravel bike and might fit your needs perfectly.   

[e46rick]

I would echo the posters who've suggested looking at a bikepacking setup. 
Especially since you're already committed to traveling light with your gear investments.