This is a great thread and I enjoy continuing to follow it. The important thing is to decide what you like in a bike and build it. Rivendells are bit out of my price range, and the ones that aren't (Soma San Marcos) are not the best geometry for me. I've got several bikes that generally follow the Rivendell philosophy -- eg, higher handlebars, room for larger tires and fenders, mounts for racks -- but mine are much lighter than a comparable Riv. It is very hilly where I generally ride, so the weight of a bike and its wheels is important to me. I am no weight weenie, and most of my bikes are heavier than what you see on most group rides around here, but I do think weight is important if you ride on hilly terrain. My bikes are set up for fast commuting and light touring, which accounts for most of my riding these days. If I lived somewhere with relatively flat terrain, lots of dirt roads and crappy pavement, I could understand the appeal of a fat-tired bike that weighed much more.