The Bleriot is an interesting bike, and a good deal in a lugged frame, although if I were to go the 650B route I'd probably get a Kogswell ($540 for frame, fork, headset, and matching fenders).

The Bleriot is made in Taiwan by Maxway. Does anyone know if Maxway has a distributor in the US? The reason I'm asking is that Maxway makes their own lugged frames http://bicycle-frame.bicyclenet.com....rame/96R01.htm which I'm guessing would be similar in quality but cheaper than a branded Rivendell.