Erm.
Yeah, so having been riding a ST with softer-than-recommended elastomer for a week and a half I'm inclined to think my thesis was correct; it functions as well as the LT with recommended elastomer (well, I'm tempted to think it ought to function better but I can't really tell just yet). Overall it seems a better package, lighter and neater when folded. The only niggle is that it rattles when wheeled not under load.