Yesterday I rode a 54 cm disc trucker on our Oregon Trail ride. 42 miles on dirt roads, 40 degrees and a headwind of about 15 mph - ugh. But the bike was great. I swapped out the stock tires for some Schwalbe Marathon Supremes 26 x 2. I also put my Rivet Saddle on and went a new direction with handlebars and rode the Nitto Moustache. I had the bike hermit put a little shorter stem on as well. I am a betweener with Surly. A 52 is a tad small and a 54 a tad big but with the shorter stem I solved the problem.

I have bar end shifters on Sky, my Rivendell and of course on the Surly too. I love them and don't ever feel like I am searching to shift. On the moustache I can actually do some shifting by simply moving the palm of my hand.
I concur that a steel bike with some nice tires makes a fabulous commuting and touring bike. I will take the comfort and stability over light weight any day of the week. The bike absorbs the bumps, etc of the road instead of my body, reducing fatigue.

We have several photos on our website of different configurations of handlebars, etc on Surly LHT go take a peak.