Best grinder for under $2K

My wife has finally given me the nod for a new bike!!!  I'll get right to the point:
-plan to purchase new (and ride it for 10+ years)
-$2k is absolute max budget
-prefer steel frame; best drivetrain possible, keeping under $2k threshold
-will be riding mix roads (70% gravel/30% pavement approx).  

So, what do you gravel grinding experts recommend?  Based on the above criteria, what bike(s) should I be considering?  I know that ultimately much of the decision boils down to how the bike feels and fits once I'm on it, but just looking for general advice and direction before I demo bikes at several LBShops.

Should add that I'm a fun and fitness rider who plans to get into gravel grinding events by summer's end.  Thank you very much for your advice!!!

James.

Norco has the Search which comes with a steal frame, 105 drivetrain and disc brakes for around $1500. \n \nhttp://www.norco.com/bikes/road/adventure/search-steel/search-s1/

Salsa Vaya 2
Black Mountain Cycles Monster Cross - you build it up
Raleigh Tamland 1
Kona Rove Freerange

I would take a close look at geometries and try to match with your ideal fit.  I would have loved to have gotten a Tamland but I fall between the small and medium and didn't want to settle for an imperfect fit.  I ended up on a Grade and the fit is excellent for me.

Henry

edit to add: I have been very impressed with the 5800 setup on my bike.  I have Ultegra 6700 on one of my road bikes and I think the 105 gives nothing away to it.

Rigid steel 29ers

Surly Ogre
Surly Karate Monkey Rigid
Kona Big Rove

The Dual Sports/Crosstrails are better yet (than above) as they have longer touring type wheelbases, chain stays,gearing  ............just throw a steel fork on them

Or the down bar ........"hybrid's"  - 
Salsa Fargo
Specialized AWOL
That ugly Giant ...........thingy......Any Road.......oh.....thats not "steel".....its that other alloy metal.....

If your planing on racing and Winning you may want one of skinny tired Road/Edurance bikes...... gone wild to gravel Gold recently.....preferably All carbon or an 18 pound CX bike.....make sure your legs are shaved to get the most out of them........thats important in dirt / gravel road country with the farmers

On a serious note if you want a down bar I would get a steel Tamland, Warbird,Bruce Gordon (last one over your prescribed budegt) , etc as at least they have some classic touring geometry for comfort and heaps of class & practicality

Heads up topic starter ~


There are a couple of newer Specialized Tricross that just came up in the classifieds.  One of my fav down bars, have rode them a lot (not owned).  Better than the Diverge (Roubiax endurance road bike with micro larger tire capacity)) which replaced it imo - longer wheel base,chain stays - touring/gravel/dirt - monster cross tire capacity.

If you want "steel" rather than alum/carbon do a google search.  A couple years ago Spesh had a all steel limited version for a year or two ,, black beauty.  You may still be able to find one brand new - for $$$ savings.  Per memory Bicycle Times did a review on it (all steel) amongst other Tricross reviews, if you search there. 

Maybe a Masi CXGR? Steel, and under $1500
http://www.masibikes.com/bikes/competition/cxgr-2015

depends if youre racing or not