...the new LHT has higher gearing than before, they now use a 50/39/30 road crankset as opposed to the 48/36/26 that has been always used.
Very difficult to understand why Surly would make that decision. I could maybe see doing this with a sportier bike, but the LHT is not that. People buy it for loaded touring, and 50/39/30 is bizarre for loaded touring unless you live in Florida or the Bonneville Salt Flats.