Dimension stems are a very good value. They are available in 26.0 and 31.8 and both silver and black, at various angles and lengths. Make your LBS order you a silver and trade in the black. Ritchey is not really a step up quality-wise. Thomson is very nice, I have several stems/seatposts, but they are not offered in the steep angle used by tourists.

http://www.aebike.com/bicycle-stems_...trafield5=26.0

Odd about the Cargo EVO - I think I recommended it before, over the Cargo Classic I own, because it's modified lower mount should make it easier to install (without interference). The Cargo Classic fits SDT dropouts without interference. I can see how the LHT's Breezer-style dropout would interfere with a lot of rear racks. My old LHT was a 2006 model with traditional dropout, prior to the change to current Breezer style. Maxway/QBP/Surly did this partly to get around rack/fenders eyelets breaking occasionally on the old style dropout (current dropout bosses much stronger), but the real motive behind the move to Breezer was to reduce manufacturing cost. It's possible to build all 14 frame size LHTs with only one type of Breezer dropout, whereas before this required 3-5 types of dropouts to accommodate the various rear triangle SS-CS angle.





This is a little prettier:

http://www.aebike.com/Wheels-Manufac...h_p_14568.html

Give those drop bars a fair chance - they really are about as comfortable as they come. There's a lot you can do to improve fit/comfort WRT drop/reach dimension, width and even bar taping.