Yes big shot allows customizability in colors and thats it but hey thats their nitch. obviously people want those options.

the reality is with all of these cheaper frame sets, there made in china made with the same chromium alloy, so based on that there really is note a big difference in the frames(even a chance that there made at the same plant). There all based on track geometry but all are bikes I would never put on the track ever, but on that not your would never see a track specific bike such as a $1200 frame dollan or $4000 custom Zinn on the street there not made to take the abuse. These cheaper frame sets are commuter bikes, they serve a purpose as a customizable base for a fad that has sparked in the U.S.

Each one of the companies, mercier, big shots, republic, and what ever other companies are out there are just trying to capitalize on this growth in the fixie world. and who can blame them really, it will probably be gone in 2 years anyway. Yes you can buy a frame and probably build up a fixie for less that some of these companies offer but not everyone has the time to go to 10 shops and sit on ebay to find what the want. So a one stop shop is a good place to be able to go and build a bike that you can be proud of and ride! isn't that the point?

Get what you want and can be proud of ride and have fun!!
now that that rant is over. I'm not even going to touch the gearing aspect of this thread, again another trend might be the reason pushing a gear is harder than it should.