I've been looking around, trying to toss together a bike, to start out on.
it seems it's cheaper to just get a complete now.. then frame, wheels, components, etc. basically it seems all the bikes are the same with different labels on them.

for example, this dude is selling a 09 se lager, chromoly frame, not the cheapo steel ones. for about 250. comes with upgraded back wheel. new seat post, chain, they have the alex rims which seem ok, bullhorns which i like personally and i don't mind the color.

The frame is the same as a Fuji track, Dawes SST, etc.. Fuji owns SE, so they are all pretty much the same bike, with different labels slapped on them.

question is, should I just get it, and upgrade all the components as i go? lastly
getting a new frame, then selling the lager as a complete bike. at least it gets me
riding a bike again, and it's not a complete pile of dung? will i get rocks thrown
at me in dark allies cause i am not rocking a 1000.00 dollar bike?