Can a frame like that really be called the "Poor man's Rivendell"? I'd say the Rivendell is the "impatient man's Palo Alto". Not to knock Riv, I like those too. Ok, no more mentions of that brand... or we'll need to quarantine and burn this thread.

I'd go that route though. My Mercian and Lotus are essentially the same bike, but that is what I like about them. I find myself riding the Mercian and the Lotus most, because the fact that they are completely interchangeable. I use the same bags for both bikes, just hang'em on the rack and go. I think the evils of duplication or exaggerated.