It's no secret that Rivs are not made in Walnut Creek by Riv employees, but are made by actual frame makers other places. Since I have been buying Rivs, the company has never been shy about telling where the frames are made. My Roadeo was made by Waterford, but uses Riv lugs, Riv specified tubing, and is designed by GP. You can't really get a Waterford that is the same as the Roadeo. You cannot get the same lugs on a Waterford, as Riv owns the molds. I can't remember the number, but when I saw Grant at a book signing thing for his "Just Ride" book he talked about Riv having numerous lug molds that they use exclusively. He was very proud of them.
The 22 series Artisan may be a fine bike, but it isn't like an Atlantis unless by "essentially" you mean fine lugged steel touring bike. The lugs and fork crown aren't anything like what you get on an Atlantis and it doesn't look as though you can stick nearly as wide of tires on the Artisan compared to the Atlantis. I don't know if you can get a Waterford in the exact dimensions as an Atlantis (I don't see why not) but my bet is the frameset will be more expensive than the Atlantis and with different lugs.
Anyway, I'm going to hit up Grant with this and just ask him if he designs his own bikes and also get the opinion of those at the Riv owners bunch to see what they have to say about it. I'm fairly knowledgeable about rivs after having owned 4 of them, but there are more people in the know over there.
Having owned several Rivs as you have, how do you feel the quality compares from U.S. To Japan to Taiwan made frames? Do you notice a difference?
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