I purchased the Miyata Terra Runner, upgraded to Deore XT, during the last week of June and finally have had time to complete the conversion. It's a budget job, $167 total investment, including initial purchase of the bike, new tires, tubes, cables, housing, bar tape, Tektro RL340 levers, stem, and used handlebars, barcons and saddle. The cable braze on was busted, so WRK101 suggested the repair clamp. Cobrabyte provided the nice Avocet on a swap. The handlebars and barcons were out of a $9 box 'o parts I bought in 2011, which included a Huret Jubilee RD. The Panaracer High Road V's are only $10/ea. A plush ride for sure. And I have a nice set of Deore or XT shifters leftover.

I imagine it's like cobbling together my own Miyata LHTR (Long Haul Terra Runner) for about 10% of a new LHT?