Originally Posted by
robow
I think you'll appreciate the CC more so with the criteria that you have listed. It's a fine loaded touring bike for most, just not quite as touring-specific as the LHT. Have two friends that regularly load it down front and back and tour everywhere with theirs.
+ 1 - I am just selling my last LHT and building up a Straggler. My riding needs have shifted to lighter loads and longer distances. The LHT is a tank in both the good and bad uses of the word. When heavily loaded it rides best and gets the job done. Riding with lighter loads/unloaded and trying to cover longer distances efficiently it is not a fun bike to ride.
I kept it as long as could for sentimental reasons, but sanity prevailed and I realized how little I enjoyed riding it unloaded and decided to get a more appropriate bike.
Although my touring these days is largely ultralight mountain biking based I have no fears that the Straggler will take a moderate touring load comfortably should I decide to do a road tour again.