Unexpected bike temptation- opinions welcome

[Boudicca]

You are asking people here to justify the purchase of another bike? What's not to justify?

Seriously though, if you plan to tour, and the bike fits, I don't think you can go wrong with the LHT. And you can also used it to commute, or run errands, or do the sort of riding you normally do on the mixte. Is it ready to ride now, or would you need to spend money on extras? And can you budget somewhere else to get that $200 price difference back relatively quickly?

[colorisnt]

You are asking people here to justify the purchase of another bike? What's not to justify?

Seriously though, if you plan to tour, and the bike fits, I don't think you can go wrong with the LHT. And you can also used it to commute, or run errands, or do the sort of riding you normally do on the mixte. Is it ready to ride now, or would you need to spend money on extras? And can you budget somewhere else to get that $200 price difference back relatively quickly?

Good questions. Part of the reason I could "afford" the bike I bought (Cross-check) was trade ins/sales and the fact that literally the only thing I could have even imagined buying for it was a glasses/visor mirror since I couldn't use my bar-end mirror anymore on the Surly. It was $10.00 to put things on the new bike. So, for that reason, it was feasible. If you need another $200.00 in accessories, then it's not as "worth it". Also, how fast is the owner planning on selling? If they haven't had many offers or would work with you on time, I would try to sell the mixte yourself for a bit if you are willing to do so. You can get more on your own for a bike of that size.

And as for a Surly, I will never NOT encourage someone to buy one since I just got mine Friday and love it. A LHT may be in my future at some point. They had one at the shop and it was great but too big. People swear by them and that is a more than fair price.