I don't understand the Rivendell love, just don't get the retrogrouch kind of thing, but that is just me. Surly on the other hand, I could be called a cult follower, I have 3, and LHT, a Pacer, and a Cross Check. I think one of the things about Surly is the idea that the company is run by regular people, they have a sense of humor (just look at the website) and the bikes are designed to be practical. Many frames they offer are sold only as frames, and most of the bikes they sell now were only sold as frames for a long time, so many of the Surly folks are at least bike literate enough to build one up from a frame and parts rather than buying a ready made bike at a shop.