Scott Scale for gravel?

Since I tend to do a fair amount of riding on singletrack, I've been trying to figure out a good platform that will do both gravel and technical trails competently. For a while I assumed a CX bike would be the best option, and it certainly seems logical. But lately I've been thinking I'd regret not having a suspension fork. After looking around a bit, here's what I've been pondering...

Scott Scale 730 cross country mtb

 
http://www.scott-sports.com/global/en/products/241283008/SCOTT-Scale-730-Bike

That would certainly satisfy my trail urges. And I think if I put together a 29er wheelset (I'll have to check the clearance) mounted with an appropriate tire I should be ok on gravel and fire roads.

The fork has remote lockout so I can eliminate the annoying bobbing you get on smooth surfaces. And I can get the bike down to about 21 lbs pretty easily. That puts it right in line with other bikes I've considered. The carbon frame should be fairly comfortable for several hours of road buzz. And if need be, I can swap stems for the day to fine tune the cockpit, depending on my plans.

The one drawback I can think of is no rack mounts. But a good seatpack could solve that for my needs.

I can think of lots of reasons why I should do this. But tell me why I shouldn't.. or at least why you wouldn't.

Nice looking bike.  How much?

I can find them for around $1700 right now.

I've ridden my 29ner Specialized Fate on some gravel grinders/gravel rides in the mountains. The gearing on my cross bikes isn't low enough for me when the climbing gets long or long and steep as it does in the N. GA mountains. For gravel races, I'll put on 40c CX Kenda Happy Mediums. For gravel rides, I leave whatever mtb tires I'm running unless there is a more than a couple miles of pavement.

I think you'd be fine with a 29ner.

Looks like you are looking for Cannondale Slate

So it's a CX bike with suspension? Nice to see the concept being offered. Too many negatives (to me), tho.

Lefty fork w. 30mm travel.. huh?
aluminum frame
Shimano brifters

And that color makes me think, for the very first time, all black would be better.

But thanks for pointing it out. Options are good to know. 

I wouldn't call it a "CX" bike. Different geo. Cannondale's aluminium frames have pretty good ride and dapening characteristics, not unlike other carbon frames. I think they also have a Sram version too. I'm usually a Sram person, but on my new bike (Ridley X Trail) new Shimano RS685 shifters/brakes work really good, feel even better than Sram's HydroRs on my other Niner  RLT. 

My friend has a really old Cannondale MTB with headshock converted to drop bars for use on dirt roads and he really loves it.

Also the wheels are 650b I believe.

Was really digging that color, that why posted this picture: http://www.cannondale.com/en/USA/Bike/ProductFamily?Id=157b0994-f2c2-4b68-9bc5-b8ec44bf56f1

No offense intended, Fest. The color just isn't my thing. I generally like my bikes to be bright and shiny. \n\n I remember demo'ing a headshock mtb in the mid 90s. It was very similar to the Klein I had at the time.