I love Rivendell and recently sold off a nice 650b Bleriot. Unfortunately Grant has fallen to the dollar and now makes some frames that are not fully lugged now to compete with Velo Orange and such. Sad, but a reality. Not everyone can afford a $2000 frameset with standard double butted steel. Since this is so, I decided to build up a "copy" of the Hunqapillar.* I have a fully lugged** 26" Univega Alpina Uno that I am repainting and converting into a Enduro Touring bike.
Basically, if you are a bit of a Hobbit/vertically challenged/Garden Gnome you can grab an old lugged MTN bike*** and convert it into a Rivendell(ish) type of steed. Imagination, parts, and a slightly padded wallet can get you there.







*that frameset is $2,500
**fork as well
***albeit w/fork is very hard to find