I was about to post that I was surprised this issue hasn't come up in the Google Group for Surly Cross Checks and LHTs (at least not that I've noticed), but then I learned that Surly now specs those bikes with Microshift bar-end shifters. I was unaware of this. Does anyone know if Surly moved away from the Shimano bar-end shifters due to the issue described in this thread?

Current specs:
Long Haul Trucker | Bikes | Surly Bikes

Looks like Surly made the change in 2012 for the 2013 lineup:
Change, love it or hate it | Blog | Surly Bikes