Jamis Aurora vs Surly Long Haul Trucker

[Catrin]

I have to ask this question...though I don't really want to

How does the Jamis Aurora http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebik...rora_spec.html compare with the Surly Long Haul Trucker http://surlybikes.com/bikes/long_hau...ker_complete/?

I think that the components for the LHT might be closer to the Aurora Elite, but I could be mistaken - so am unsure if I am comparing apples to apples.

I don't see my mind changing on the LHT but I have to ask the question. It seems to have the same cassette, or at least range of gears, and of course the wheels/tires are different - and the Jamis doesn't have bar-end shifters. The top tube on the Jamis is technically too long for me, but it is closer to the 50cm than my Trek is and a touring geometry may make that difference negligible.