I had a Trek 730 Multitrack built from TrueTemper steel for a while and really think they fly under the radar. They have all of the features that many folks are looking for these days: steel tubing, canti brakes, 700c wheels with room for monstrously wide tires, braze-ons for racks and such, touring gearing. Is there a reason to get a Surly LHT when you can score one of these for 1/10th of the price?
Neal