divemedia: i think your best bet would be a off the shelf bike, first of all if you are not going for a higher end frame why would you want to put expensive parts on a cheap frame, thats like putting $2000 wheels on a $600 car. also because when you are just learning how to do anything mecanical you run the chance of messing stuff up. i know this from being an auto mechanic for years, with the off the shelf bike you can learn the ropes whenever your chain tension is loose or when you get a flat. i myself would much rather learn on some cheaper parts that if they break/strip/etc. no big deal. i myself, with years of experience get nervious working with high end stuff.