Quote Originally Posted by char View Post
I'm basically all over the place. The dirt roads are quite hilly. So I'm looking for a bike that's not to heavy. Possibly with a triple. I think I really need to start test riding some to help narrow down my options. Right now on my list I have:

Surly Cross check
Surly LHT
Salsa Vaya
Bianchi volpe
Specialized Crosstrail
Jamis Coda Elite
...
I have the LHT, and take the second smallest size. She is my lovely cushy tank and is far from light. She weighed about 33 pounds before I put rack and fenders on her. I don't know how she compares with the other bikes on your list weight wise.

With the touring geometry she is very stable, almost too stable as she was built for loaded touring. I do not know that she would as nimble as you might like. That steel does soak up a lot of vibration though and she can go all day long. Of course any Surly is a good bike, and I note you have two on your list