I've got the itch and I'm going to start on putting together a Fixed Gear with the help of a professional friend who is guiding me through the process and will be actually building the bike for safety reasons.

So far this is what he has suggested-

2010 Soma Rush frame steel fork- thread-less
Velocity wheels and rims
Formula Hubs- Flip Flop
Platform Pedals with reload lockdown straps
Brakes front and rear

I've been riding an old 58cm Raleigh Steel commuter with drop bars- I am comfortable on that bike but my friend is telling me I should go smaller on the frame even though I am 6'3 with an inseam of 33-34. He insist I should consider a 56cm over anything bigger and he thinks I would prefer risers for the first bars. I am a little concerned about the threadless stem but he said he won't "cut it short" (no idea what that means) and there will be an inch or inch and a half of wiggle room with the stem.

Anyone have any advice on the parts I listed? I've only ridden friends ss/fg's (2008 Langster mostly) and don't know anything about the parts the builder has suggested. After poking around online this looks like it could get expensive but he keeps telling me he will keep it under $700 with only new parts.