Originally Posted by Santaria

It is, ultimately. But for you to come online and ask a group of random strangers what parts, specifically, you will need to build up a single-speed or track-style bike implies to others that you might not be ready to build it completely alone. The list isn't that long, but knowing why you are building it has just as much appreciation, if not more. The research, time and understanding spent learning to turn a wrench - in some cases for free at local bike shops - frees you up from following the commercial concept of what is "a good bike." But it also leads you to making certain risks, assumptions that can't be snubbed off with a cool flick of the chin and a "whateva" under your breath. You simply have to know what it takes, part-for-part to build up a bike - or at the very least have some idea of how to do the research yourself. I am, by no means, an expert. But I spent two summers (at age 38!) working alongside a seasoned bike mechanic for almost no pay so that I could have some understanding of what it takes to maintain, build or customize a bike. I still don't know everything, probably never will.

What people are trying to tell you is that you can't assume a 1" headset is the same as a 1 1/8th inch, or a 1.25" - that you might need a English threaded BB versus the various other iterations. What brakes you think are appropriate to the frame you have - and if the frame can accommodate them. Does that stem work with that handlebar you bought with visions of fixed-wheel skids dancing in your head? What crankset is going to work for you and still make you feel some sense of pride when you put it on the rack to polish it and show it love?

These things can't be taught - nor can they merely be placed in some ASCII list where you can go through a grocery store and pick each part, licking your pencil and with your tongue firmly clenched in your teeth scratch off each part like you were marking off Mr. Plum in Clue - they must be learned, researched and appreciated for more than the sum of their parts.