Two things,well actually three,pop into the fifty plus forum and ask Yen about the Surly LHT,she wanted a bike for similar porposes and settled on the LHTand her reasons.Secondly definetly take the time to visit other shops especialy Harris and check out other bikes and shops.And lastly it's your money to spend on the bike that you want not what somebody else thinks you want,after you buy a new bike be sure to drop into the first shop and show them the sale that they missed because of their attitude.Not to rub salt into their wounds.