I'm contemplating my next build...

Last winter, I bought a Raleigh Rapide mixte for a steal of a deal. It had really heavy steel components that I stripped. I installed North Roads bars and a coaster brake set of 590X38 rims, but am feeling a new build to make it something kinda special. Even with the hi-ten frame, it's a fairly light bike, and I was thinking of ditching derailers completely for either a flip-flop hub, or a Sturmey AW laced into alloy 27" or 700c wheels (would probably go with 27" because there's a LOT of clearance, and standard mixte-style calipers won't fit 700c).

Ultimately, what I'd like is to get rid of the black paint in favor of some powder blue or deep green powder coat with gold-lined lugs, alloy fenders, upright bars (thinking Velo Orange Porteur bars), inverse levers, and a polished crankset.

I'm stuck on the wheel choice though. I already have a fixed gear, and a Raleigh 3 speed (well, Phillips), so either way, the bike would be kinda redundant. I'd like to build a light-ish bike for country cruising though. The hills around here aren't so bad that my 48X17 fixed leaves me stranded, but I'd prefer not to be standing at every other hill as the current fixed makes me. I'd probably go with 46X18 fixed, or 46X17 3 speed...

So, which would you prefer, if it was your bike?