Is there a difference between Tange Prestige and Cromo 4130? Is one better? If so, which and why?

Two frames I'm looking at buying (not building) is the Surly Long Haul Trucker (http://www.surlybikes.com/longhaul.html) (4130) and the Soma DoubleCross (http://www.somafab.com/frames.html) (Tange Prestige). They're about the same price and geometry. I'm just trying to determine if the steel in one is any better than the other. FWIW, the Soma is lighter (4.20 lbs. vs. 5.15), but not enough so that I would probably be able to notice.

Prestige is basically heat treated 4130. The strength is significantly higher which allows the tubes to be made thinner without risk of breakage. The thin tubes will make the frame ride smoother but the bottom bracket stiffness will suffer as well.

The geometry there is quite different from the LHT. BB height is 3/4" higher whichi s not recomended for road use, touring, or light offroad (nor is it too high, but on ballance it's more cyclo than touring). Seatstay length on the Soma is much shorter, which is a harshness and carrying ability issue. I didn't pull up the LHT specs but, my belief is that the soma fits a long leg short torso rider preference vs the lht that fits the reverse. This is based on the Soma corrected Column.

I"m not looking for too thin tube, I like a little beef to make al the slugs that much stronger. A lot of guys are carrying 2L of water bottle mount...

...The thin tubes will make the frame ride smoother but the bottom bracket stiffness will suffer as well.

Bottom bracket stiffness will suffer? I don't understand what you mean.

The geometry there is quite different from the LHT. BB height is 3/4" higher whichi s not recomended for road use, touring, or light offroad (nor is it too high, but on ballance it's more cyclo than touring). Seatstay length on the Soma is much shorter, which is a harshness and carrying ability issue. I didn't pull up the LHT specs but, my belief is that the soma fits a long leg short torso rider preference vs the lht that fits the reverse. This is based on the Soma corrected Column.

I"m not looking for too thin tube, I like a little beef to make al the slugs that much stronger. A lot of guys are carrying 2L of water bottle mount...

Thank you for pointing that out. I must study the geometry much more closely. I am a short leg, long torso rider, so based on your observation, I'd be better off with a Surly LHT, than the Soma. I'm 6'3" with short legs, long torso and arms and looking for touring bike frame which can handle a little cross type riding (abuse), but mostly I'll ride longer distances. I'll never race it (crit, tt, tri, etc.). I will load it up with gear and tow heavy loads with it. Any further recommendations you have are welcome.

Following up on PeterPan1's comments and comparing 60cm size frames of Soma DoubleCross to Surly Long Haul Trucker:

Chainstay length:
Soma - 42.5 (16.73")
Surly - 46.0 (18.11")

Wheelbase:
Soma - 105.2 (41.41")
Surly - 108.1 (42.56")

Bottom Brack Drop
Soma - 6.6 (2.6")
Surly - 7.8 (3.07")

Every other measurement is so close as to be practically identical.