I'm hoping this bike will never see slushy! Or even salt, if I can help it. I have a bomb-proof SS for around town in the winter months. But yes, the LHT does seem to be the gold standard at the moment. If only the MEC National had brifters AND disc brakes... then this would be much easier. I get the feeling though that the LHT gets a premium price tag just for its name. The Sherpa uses better steel. The National uses a better grouppo. The Fuji is $500 cheaper...