Quote Originally Posted by moderncyclista View Post
The Aurora is a sport touring bike. The geometry is a mix between a cyclocross/touring bike. Chainstays will not be as long as on the LHT. (Longer chainstays prevent heel strike when doing loaded touring - esp. on smaller frames.) The Aurora has STI shifters which some people love (using barrel adjusters to make gear/shifting finetuning adjustments) The LHT has friction shifters (bar ends) that allow for greater adjustment of the front derailleur and fine tuning. The Aurora has canteliever brakes and so does the stock LHT. The crankset on the Aurora 50/39/30 - a mixed ratio for speed and some low gears for small hill climbs. The crankset on the LHT - 48/36/26 - a slightly lower gearing for touring and lots of hill climbing.

I own an 09 Aurora and while I enjoy it okay. I much prefer my 520. Touring bikes are about simplicity. Have you ever seen an exploded diagram of an STI shifter?? Sheesh. It's pretty daunting. I live somewhere hilly and the 520 handles hills like a frickin' champ. I dread hills on my Aurora - the gearing seems either to high or too low on steep hills but never just right. Both are good bikes. Only you can really make the decision on if it will ultimately fit you or work for you. We can only offer our humble opinions.
Thanks for this information, Moderncyclista. I am 99% certain that I will go with the LHT - but I have a tendency to sometimes not look at other options once I make my mind up which was the reason for my 3 week enforced waiting period There is also a lot of fun imagining what different bikes would be like.

I will admit that the bar end shifters have me a little nervous, I still can't take my hands off of the bars to, say, get a drink. However I do have the use of a trainer on which I can practice The shifters is the only thing that I am nervous about with the LHT. Of course, I would have no idea how to use the STI shifters either - so either way there will be a learning curve.

It is invaluable information to know that you have issues with the right gearing for hills with the Aurora. One of the purposes for this bike is to take it home and play in the mountains - so I thank you

I keep coming back to the Surly - so that should tell me something. Thanks to everyone who have weighed in and been so patient with this novice cyclist!