Originally Posted by 666pack
conversion is great for learning, but unless you've got a lot of money to throw into it you'll end up with a sub-par bike that always has something to replace.
This is simply untrue. Spending a few months and starting with a decent frame will almost always result in a bike nicer then any comparably priced ss specific.
$20-160 for decent frame with crankset stem and seatpost
$140 wheels
$100 other crap
=
$260-400 for something far nicer than any off the shelf bike. If you spend an extra $100 on the frame you will end up with something nicer then any sub $1000 pre-built.
You just have to know what to look for and have patience. I have no clue what level univega he has but it may be much nicer then any of the cheapo 4130 frames he would be considdering instead.