The Cross Check has a shorter wheelbase. It's basically a cyclocross bike that's useful for other purposes. They say the LHT is a lot heavier. A friend here in Maplewood says he tried both and only liked the LHT, so he got that. I'm sure he'd let you try it, if you want, and you're about the same size. I think you've tried my Cross Check, or at least you've seen it. It's a very nicely balanced bike, and it's also very versatile. Over the summer, I had super-light wheels on it, which made it a bit of a mixed metaphor, but I liked it.