you can go here:
http://forums.mtbr.com/forumdisplay.php?f=111
for surly stuff.
IMHO the KM is a rockin bike.
obviously its a MTB
but with 29er wheels you can use 700c tyres.
i suppose there could be a consideration as to the riders height/inseam.
i forget where a LHT starts with 26" wheels and then switches over to a 700c wheel.
if you were to be considering racks
you can easily use Old Man Mountain racks.
www.OldManMountain.com
they fit on just about any bike.
as to disc brakes, my fav are Avid Mechanicals. BB7's are the newest, they are nicer than the previous BB5's, of which i've used for about 10yrs now.
here's a couple of "little something" that you may find entertaining...
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.ph...67#post5168467
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.ph...=monster+cross