Originally Posted by Johnny Alien

I am a huge Rivendell fan. I have owned a bunch of old 80's steel frames and I don't think they can really get you the same relaxed geometry but it's also not a bad suggestion. Going the used route obviously a used Bridgestone would be a good suggestion but they have crept up past "affordable" in alot of instances. A 91-93 RB-1 or RB-2 would be in the Soma San Marcos territory and the XO-1's would fit the all-arounder/atlantis territory. Of course the RB's can still be had for an OK price but the XO-1's not as much. The next step is probably Surly which has a similar mentality but done without lugs and fanciness. Like someone said way earlier even Grant is a fan of Surly and would recommend them if you don't require lugs and such. The price would go up if you tried to Riv them out with accessories and Nitto and Brooks items. Next up would be Soma but my guess is that by the time you outfitted them with the same exact parts you would be beyond the "poor man's" realm.