Which is smarter to start with?

I'm think that it makes more sense to spend the money on the frame and fork than the other way around.

With that in mind, who has something like that in their line up? It's easy to read spec sheets, but it doesn't tell you much about the frame.

I totally agree with you, the frame is the heart of the bicycle.

What kind of a frame are you looking for??

I did it that way once. I got a top-of-the-line Bianchi frame/fork from a racer friend who had finally taken delivery of an Eisentraut. So, with my first Italian road frame in hand, I started building!
First came the Nuovo Record headset to connect the two pieces.
Then the wheels, handlebar & stem, seat and post.
Now I could coast around on it with my feet on the BB shell. Weeeee!

That was the first year...

FF 2.5 years.

I get a letter from a friend who's husband got stationed in Germany.
"p.s. Campagnolo parts are really cheap here!"

Within 2 months the boxes arrived. ALL Super Record and speced exactly the way I wanted.
172.5 cranks w/42-53. Titanium BB spindle and ti pedal spindle, as well as ti brake bolts.

End result? I got a BEAUTIFUL Italian steed for about $800. (retail for the bike new = $2,000 in 1980)

It only took 4 years. (finished in 1984)
But I swore when I got it, that I would NEVER put crappy parts on it.
In fact, most of those parts are currently on my Colnago.

That was the exception. Usually I find nice old bikes for really cheap and then upgrade the worst components first.

So it really depends...are you building a "nice" bike, or a "dream machine"?

I'm a "dream machine" kinda guy with practically everything I buy, but the budget is "nice".

Well, I'm currently looking at bikes like the Trek FX series/Marin Point Reyes/Specialized Globe.

It's for bombing around the neighbourhood, getting groceries, pull the kids in the trialer, bike paths etc.

I'd like something that works _well_ ( and looks like the 07 Pinarello Treviso '07 ), but my budget is 1K CDN.

I like your Bianchi story. I'd be lying if I said I don't like having nice stuff, even if I couldn't use it to its full potential. But, for 1K I can't get everything so I'm looking for a smart place to start and then upgrade later.

However, I don't want to put so much money into one aspect that the others suck. I think going lower then Tiagra or the Flat bar group would be a mistake. I've heard some positive things about the 07 Tiagra group.

That still leaves the tires/hubs/wheels/seat/etc. To be honest I'm just not that well versed in the parts to find the bike closest to what I'm looking for. Shopping for the best bang for the buck with a priority on the frame and fork, when you don't know the parts intimately is extremely difficult.

Unless I can get some good suggestions I'm just going to go to one of the better known LBS/Pro shops an d shout 'I have $1000 and I want the best bike that will buy!' as soon as I go in the door.

I'm not opposed to cross bikes or drop bar bikes either, but I'd like an upright position, and be able to mount a rack. Any suggestions, with regard to a good starting point?

I would be concerned about using my dream machine to get groceries. The best security locks and stuff simply won't deter someone who finds a $2,000 + bike as easy pickins. How about one for grocery shopping and the other for the pure joy of riding?

That way you can really narrow down what you're looking for.

if i were to build a bike today...i'd want a reputable frame, but spend most of my $ on quality components and wheelsets.

What companies qualify as having 'reputable' frames, and still let you select your parts?

That's the other problem. Everything (ie frame, wheels, fork) goes up in quality with the price on an off the shelf bike. You can't really focus on one aspect of the bike at the exclusion of the others.

Any suggestions on this approach?

Any big name bike brand has a perfectly fine frame. And all parts wear out eventually. When one part wears out, replace it with any "level" part you desire.

I ended getting a nice frame with decent to low end parts. I figure I can upgrade as needed but the frame I shouldn't have to buy again.