I’m a 380+ lb rider who is looking to replace my slightly too big pandemic era commuter bike (Jamis Coda S2). I’m truly looking for a steel commuter/gravel all-rounder bike to ride throughout Seattle. Initially, I thought I would love the Surly Bridge Club or Jamis Renegade S4. However, after doing test rides I came to the following conclusion:

• Surly Bridge Club: Plush, nostalgic ride, but too sluggish
  
• Jamis Renegade S4: Very OK
  

After increasing my budget, I am now looking at the Surly Midnight Special, Surly Straggler, and All-City Space Horse (GRX) as options. I’ve had the opportunity to test ride both the Straggler and Midnight Special at one of my LBS. My thoughts are as follows:

• Surly Straggler: Extremely responsive, agile, squirrely (IDK if this is a plus or minus tbh) ride quality with potential for a lot of versatility
  
• Surly Midnight Special: Smooth ride, zippy, stable handling, would have to get in gloss black (lilac is basically sold out in my size everywhere ), don’t know how I feel about the road geometry in the long run, really wish there was a size between 50 cm and 54cm
  

My LBS also has the All-City Space Horse (GRX) in stock in my size and I suspect it may strike a balance between agile and stable handling, the paint job is gorgeous, but it seems to be less hardy than the Midnight Special.

I’m seeking additional opinions, thoughts, or recommendations.