If I may try to explain my opinion of the LHT? The 1st person who asks me to I will delete this post.
The LHT is a good bicycle for what it's trying to do. There are some other things for about the same price, but nothing really better. The LHT is a lower end bicycle, lower quality steel and lower quality components, also real heavy. I don't like the way it handles, too slugish, too much like my $400 around town bicycle than my carbon road bicycle. There are some better frames and equipment in the $2K range Trek 720 or 920 and some other simular stuff. I said that for now I'm impressed with the Salsa fargo & cut throat. The Trek 720 fork bags are available as a separate item. And the Co-Motion and Lyndsky. Not to mention a custom Erikson at maybe $10K So yes there are much better bicycles out there. The LHT is a good low end bicycle. Nothing more. No reason to have an alter built for it. From here on out I'll try to shut up about it. You know my opinion, no reason to repeat it. Thanks !!