There are some pretty bikes in this thread so I won't post my cheap Riv imitation.

I like the way this thread keeps coming back. It shows that form matters to people along with function. Otherwise you could just say that Surly bikes and their peers are the poor man's Riv and leave it at that.

There are lots of 80's and earlier bikes that are pretty close in terms of both function and beauty to the modern Riv that didn't cost as much that and can be had for a lot cheaper now if you're willing to do some work and invest in some nice parts.

I like that Grant believes in paying workers a decent wage. I recognize that there's a niche that went underserved when people abandoned road bikes for MTBs and hybrids back in the late 80's and 90's, but I don't share his distaste for newer materials and technologies.