The price-busting Motobecane Sprint CF Disc COMP

Hard to argue with this bike.  From BikesDirect.com you get this full carbon from, kitted with Shimano 105 shifters and derailleurs, with WTB tubeless-ready wheels, disc brakes and a decent crank.  Tire clearance is claimed at 45c.  At $1300US that's a pretty screaming deal.  It's called the Motobecane Sprint CF.  One can only hope the frame is worthy.

One might, hypothetically, add a Lauf fork for $800 and end up with pretty screaming bike for $2100 US. Or heck, leave it as is for $1300.  Hard to beat this bike.  Note that the Sprint can be had with Ultegra $1800.

Lauf True Grit looks promising

The addition of Lauf's new carbon adventure bike, the True Grit, is marvelous.  The Lauf fork is included, of course, but one also has the advantage of a bike that is purpose-built for the fork.  Other than the ridiculous bottle opener, this bike is solidly designed throughout.  Lauf claims the bike takes 700 x 45 tires with room for mud.  The gearing isn't low enough (a 42 single up front with an 11-42 cassette in the back), but that can be remedied.  Needs top bar brake levers, but that too is an easy fix. Kitted with American Classic AM28 tubeless-ready wheels and Maxxis Ramblers (40c), there's no need to upgrade on that front.  The lowest-end bike is on "sale" for $3290US.

Of course, the other option is to buy another bike and install a Lauf fork.  But, at $790US for the fork, not counting installation, it's not cheap.   Then again, it's not hard to find a carbon adventure bike for $1000 less than the True Grit.  With a bit of sale hunting, surely a carbon bike can be had for as low as $1500 CAD, with the possibility of adding that great-sounding suspension fork.

Merida Silex looks like the real deal for gravel, single-track, and more

This is an exciting trend and its gathering momentum faster than you can bomb down a steep forest path: bike makers are getting serious about multi-purpose bikes.  This Merida Silex will come in alloy and carbon frames and will take 29er or 27.5 wheels.  If I'm not mistaken, the tire clearance is bigger than any other bike its class.  So you can run true 650b mtb tires on this for a real single-track experience, or ride with narrow gravel tires at 700c.  That's exactly the kind of flexibility I'd love.   Can't wait to find out more about pricing.