So does Skitbra teach Social Studies? It would explain a lot about you Chicagoans.

you tell 'em...******bag!!

I say build it with a caveat. Build it if you've got the time and dough. Buy it if you need an instant fix (pun intended). There's some pretty nice bikes out there off the shelf right now. Of course you'll still have to set it up, so there's plenty of fun in that. Go with your heart and you'll be happy. By the way I voted "build" but that's not for everybody.

I've sworn off stock bikes. For me, building has become integral to riding (building in this case meaning completely stripping old road bikes and retooling as a fixie--wheels from scratch are optional). It is the difference between accommodating yourself to a machine and accommodating the machine to you. Tinker, test ride, switch part, test ride--you get a feel for what you want out of a bike. Plus you end up with a closet full of parts for the next Frankenfixed. It is partly an issue of character (the bike's, not mine; I have none), part preference (all mine), part DIY spirit.