Hey folks,

Okay, so I'm planning out my first major bike tour (done a couple of shorter trips already) for this coming summer. It's not going to be a short one. I'm mapping out a full cross-Canada trek, starting by crossing Labrador from west to east in mid May, once the snow melts, and ending up in Tuktoyatuk NWT (close to where the Yukon/Alaska border meets the Arctic Ocean) in early October.

I obviously need a decent frame for this. There will be lots of snow, lots of crappy gravel highways, and 12,000 km under my tires. (you may think this is overly ambitious for my first big trip. don't worry. after three months solo-camping in the arctic last year, this'll be easy.)

So I'm reading online, and everyone speaks very highly of the Rivendell Atlantis. Problem is, the frame costs $1400 USD. Now, I have no intention of cheaping out here -- a good frame is worth its weight in gold. But is the Rivendell THAT good? I'm told the Trek 520 is flimsy, Bruce Gordon is generally too expensive, Cannondale T2000 looks good but I'd rather support a small manufacturer, never liked Fuji, many other options but I can't remember...

Anyway. I very much do want a Rivendell. I just want someone to tell me it's really worth the $1400. And if not, I'd love to hear how the other options match up. A Bruce Gordon BLT frame goes for $1000. Worthwhile?

Much thanks for any help!

-mark