One issue is what can you get now, if that’s your time frame. In theory, possibly some delays on products made in China, and most bike frames are Chinese. Thus either pick a model a shop or online has in stock or can get, or maybe wait.
If you wait, you might get a Shimano GRX group, which gives you a bit more options on cassettes than a road group gets you, including 11-40, 42 etc... Not as many options yet for the GRX groups on bikes.
You can also do aluminum and then a 2nd set of wheels with road tires and gearing. This is how I set up my Cannondale Topstone 105.