There's a certain cache to the well-used higher quality older frames. I can't imagine you doing better than finding a RB-T, but of course in the used market you can't guarantee that a certain frame of a certain size will be available when you want it.
IF you're looking for a new frame that is, perhaps shinier than a MTB from 1987, but not quite the cost of one of Rivendell's flagships, there are quite a few options. Somas, Surlys, nicer mixtes and duchies like from Pashley or Gazelle etc. Surly is well known as a value entry into better quality steel frames with sensible, comfortable geometry. My favorite LBS (whose head mechanic has quite a Riv fascination of his own) likes the Jamis Coda for all-round budget riding. It seems worth mentioning that Handsome still has two sizes of their XOXO frame available, which will have fairly similar geometry, Reynolds 631 tubing, and 26" wheels--great for smaller riders--good for keeping two feet flat on the ground and avoiding toe overlap, should someone feel more comfortable with that. I can say that the "Rivendell for the rest of us" marketing in the XOXO makes be a bit uncomfortable (just as VO seems to take the prettier aspects of Riv, Nitto, Herse and make them cheap, that's just not cool in my book, but it's a wide world). However, I got me a Handsome Devil before I knew better, and it's a fine bike with much to commend it. I'd recommend that as an option, too, but it's a low-trail frame, which would be a pretty different ride from an Atlantis, and it has 700c wheels (though I think it would be easy to build it as a 650b, which might fit the bill pretty well). As an aside, maybe it's worth looking at what she wants in a bike, and considering something completely different, but still very comfortable. Searching The Lovely Bicycle <http://lovelybike.blogspot.com> offers a lot in this regard. On Wednesday, June 25, 2014 11:35:09 AM UTC-5, Hugh Flynn wrote: > > I suspect the true Atlantis sweet-spot is somewhere in between the two. I > believe the LHT is a stouter build than an Atlantis, while the Cross Check > is likely lighter/quicker/more agile in some regards. > > Has anyone ridden a Velo Orange Campeur? I'm not sure how that might > compare, but I suspect it might be somewhat less sherman tank like than an > LHT. > > Hugh "Not sure" Flynn > Newburyport, MA > > > > > On Jun 25, 2014, at 11:54 AM, 'Rick' via RBW Owners Bunch wrote: > > I second the Long Haul Trucker recommendation, and would add the Cross > Check as another possible Surly option. > > > On Tuesday, June 24, 2014 10:48:25 AM UTC-4, Clayton wrote: > >> I own an Atlantis and it has been my favorite bike, ever. I bought the >> frame new in '99 or so and it has been my main transportation since then. I >> love the fit and am trying to find an inexpensive frame, such as an old >> chromoly Mt. Bike frame, that has close to the same geometry for my >> girlfriend. I am hoping the tribe has some suggestions....? >> > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com <javascript:>. > To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com > <javascript:>. > Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
