Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Newbie w/ wheelset question

Hello
I am an ss/fixie convert. I used to ride my Stumpjumper before the baby came. Now recently I've been into road riding on the Palo Alto loop (Stanford, CA). I bought a used road bike and have been looking seriously at new road bikes for about 2 months. Test rode Trek 2200 (too common but FAST), Klein Aura X (very nice), Felt 50 (feels cheap), and Soma Smoothie (LOVE IT, like a Cadillac. Not fast but smooth.)

Somehow found out about the Van Dessel Country Bob and was able to borrow a friend's the other nite. Despite all the test rides I've done, took me five minutes and I've been converted. It is way too big but still a blast to ride, I feel like I'm flying on it. Thru luck I was able to find one last nite, used (yea!).

Biggest reason I like the CRB is because it's different. So now my goal is to use the money I saved and trick out this frame. Hopefully I can get it to sub 18 lbs. My first goal is to work on the wheelset. I would like to buy or build a wheelset for straight road use. As I've NEVER used a fixie, I'd like to first set it up as a single speed. I like the look bladed spokes, like the Shimano 540's. Yes, I know those are not regarded well, so that's why I'm here. Suggestions/comments are welcome since I'd like to put together a shopping list for the Cupertino Bike Swap next week.

1) How come I don't see any SS or Fixies w/ bladed spokes? Is that taboo or does it contradict the throwback to simpler bikes?
2) If I get a bladed wheelset, like Mavic Ksyrium, does the concept of a singlespeed cassette exist? Is it possible to buy this off the shelf or is this a custom deal?
3) I'm open to other ideas to shed weight. I know about seats, forks (keeping the carbon blade), stems, seatpost, saddle and cranks. Guess the biggest weight drop would be the beer gut...

Thanks for the help folks. Love this site. I've drank the Kool aid and it tastes good... Can't wait to get my CRB and ride the loop.

Cesar

1) Cost. Go read Sheldon's site and you'll see that he likes to use blades spokes on his wheels so he can monitor spoke twist during building. Go here and read all the fixed and ss stuff if you haven't already, his wheel building article is good too. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/articles.html
2) For a SS cassette just use a single cog and some spacers. It's all explained at the above site in the SS section. As long as you get a wheel with a shimano casette, said wheel can be converted to fixed with a Surly fixxer later on.
3) Saving weight is expensive, you'll figure out how to do it if your wallet is fat enough, but in the fixie world you are likely to find people that believe in function and aestitics over absolute weight. If you want to see an absurd amount of beautiful fixed gear bikes, go to http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/ and spend a few days looking at the bikes, it's sure to give you some ideas.
Good luck.

1) How come I don't see any SS or Fixies w/ bladed spokes? Is that taboo or does it contradict the throwback to simpler bikes?
2) If I get a bladed wheelset, like Mavic Ksyrium, does the concept of a singlespeed cassette exist? Is it possible to buy this off the shelf or is this a custom deal?
3) I'm open to other ideas to shed weight. I know about seats, forks (keeping the carbon blade), stems, seatpost, saddle and cranks. Guess the biggest weight drop would be the beer gut...

1. Personal preference. Do what suits your fancy. Most of the time, I beleive fixies are constructed out of financial position, but then extended due to the amount of enjoyment gained from simplicity. But let me return to the main point: do what suits your fancy.

2. You can try finding a single cog that matches the Mavic hub (shimano or campy - make sure you know) and then space it for best chainline set-up. You can use PVC tubing cut to fit for cost effectiveness.

3. Higher end Singlespeed/fixed gear sleds can be very light from the get go if you make you parts selection apporpriately. You can get the Selle Carbon nadsmasher with Ti post if you want to spend the $$$...I guess. Or you can just send me your beer. I vote for the latter.

check out this guys bike:
http://www.usrnull.com/bikes/index.php

that has everything you are looking for.

check out this guys bike:
http://www.usrnull.com/bikes/index.php

that has everything you are looking for.

nice avatar shoi...good link, kinda the idea i was looking for.

I suppose my goal is not really to spend $1k+ on a sub 18 lbs bike. But at the least, drop the weight so I can use it as a daily/trainer bike. Not a racer, don't plan on it, though may consider cross if my friend coaxes me enough.

Yeah, agree it's personal preference. I understand that this ss/fixies came from the concept of low cost and simplicity, so my idea may be going against the grain. But heck, isn't that the point?

Thanks for the input guys.