Touring - Comparing Touring Frames: Expert Needed

I'm toying with the idea of a new touring bike. From what I've read about the Surly LHT, I'm really impressed, but I'd have to buy it assembled as I can barely change a ti(y)re with getting bloody knuckles.
My local bike shop has a Chromoly touring frame they can kit up for around $CAN1200 (€765) with the following specs.
http://www.ucycle.com/bikes/framespecs.html

When I go to the Surly site I get these specs:
http://www.surlybikes.com/longhaul.html

My question is then, What is the REAL difference between the two frames?

I'm toying with the idea of a new touring bike. From what I've read about the Surly LHT, I'm really impressed, but I'd have to buy it assembled as I can barely change a ti(y)re with getting bloody knuckles.
My local bike shop has a Chromoly touring frame they can kit up for around $CAN1200 (€765) with the following specs.
http://www.ucycle.com/bikes/framespecs.html

When I go to the Surly site I get these specs:
http://www.surlybikes.com/longhaul.html

My question is then, What is the REAL difference between the two frames?

They are very similar. The Urbanite seems to have nicer paint and even has a chromed fork. The geometry charts are not directly comparable b/c the Urbanite size is measured c-c while the Surly is c-t. The Surly comes in more sizes so it is more likely you can get a perfect fit.

I'm not an expert but I do ride lots and build my own stuff so TIFWIW There not much difference between the frames but here is the subtles that worth mentioning. I don't even look at paint

Surly has 78mm vs 66mm of bottom bracket drop. lower BB aids stabilty by lowering your center of Gravity .It also effectively raises the handle bars 12 mm because you will be sitting lower on the Surly for the same given seat tube length. A point for Surly

Chainstay length, Surly has 46 cm. Urbanite has 45cm ,again not much difference here. The longer chainstays give a tad more room for panniers and shifts the center of gravity a bit to the front that is good. The other advantage of longer stays is if you are long legged especially with a long thigh and you stt back on the bike. Again it heps push the center of gravity back towards the front. On the down side if this is just a bike to do light loaded credit card tours or Audax you might prefer the stays a bit shorter for a more "sporty feel" ....I will call it a tie

seat and head angles again very little difference The surly has the seat angle back a little bit more if you sit and spin up hills you will like it. If you like to stand and stomp up the hills the handlebars are going to be a bit closer to you than you might prefer so you might want the Urbanite if that is your style..... again a tie

For loaded touring I would go with the Surly based on the info you offred.
But as I said if you want to tour a little lighter and maybe a little stiffer(sportier) the Urbanite might work slightly better for you .....another tie

In conclusion it is largley a matter of what you intend to do with the bike. but regardless either bike will work very well IMO
Rick