I tend to go against the grain of cult followings. If it's all the rage, my feeling is that the price is inflated. I have no experience with the Jamis Aurora. I have a few friends who ride Surly Long Haul Truckers. They really like the feel of the frames. One friend describes it as feeling like a Cadillac.

For a while, I was lusting after the LHT myself. I can see buying one down the road, but with the exposure I've had to them, I have kind started to view them as just another bike.

I think you hear about Surlys more than Jamis bikes more because Surlys tend to be built up from a raw frame. I think they started out this way- you buy the frame and do a custom build around it. Now you can buy built-up Surlys, but a lot of people still do the build up. When that happens, the buyer has to plan things out- what components, wheels, etc.- and that can lead to a lot of chatter for each bike. I think this chatter contributes to the cult following thing. I think Jamis bikes generally come as built up bikes, so there is no agonizing or debating about what would be the best components for an Aurora. You just buy it and Ride it.

Rivendell has the same thing going on in terms of selling the frames and then building up from there. Surlys, though, are utilitarian- understated colors, graphics, and frame details. Rivendells have livelier paint schemes, classic throwback graphics, and embellished lugwork. In addition to the utility, Rivendells are also works of art and they can command more money for that.

Jamis is a full-line bicycle company. they produce bikes made out of various materials, steel, aluminum and carbon fiber. They are mainstream. Surly and Rivendell only sell steel frames. They are mass producers of boutique bikes, and both companies have brand loyal followings. If you want to call that a cult, then yeah, they have cult followings.