Both Surly LHT and Jamis Aurora are good bikes. I just recently bought the Aurora Elite 2010. In 2010 Jamis changed the gearing making it more of a true touring bike. Rear cassette is Deore 11-34, with 50,39, 30 in the front. It also has disc brakes (good for loaded touring), Mavic rims, as you noted STI shifters, which was a plus for me. Yeah, I know they are more complicated and can't be repaired on the fly like bar-ends if you're in the middle of nowhere but that's not going to be me. I could have adjusted to bar-ends but prefer to use STI. My personal preference.

The frame on the Aurora Elite is Reynolds 631 tubing, the Aurora is 520, both very nice frames. The LHT is definitely a nice frame too. As someone pointed out the Aurora has 700c wheels.

Either way you can't go wrong, but I understand your concern. It is so hard to buy a bike, to decide on which bike to buy, especially when you can't ride them! I wasn't able to ride the Jamis before ordering it nor the Crosscheck or LHT. It makes an already difficult (but fun ) decision that much more difficult.

I also gave a lot of thought (can you say neurotic/ocd when it comes to bikes) about what to get so I feel for you.

Take your time, weigh the pros and cons and then take comfort in whether you buy the Aurora/A Elite or the LHT you are getting a very good bike.

Good luck!

Susan