Okay so here's the story:

I'm gonna be commuting into the city and don't wanna ride my road bike for several reasons. Long story short I want to buy a SS as means of simplicity and economics. -- (I don't feel it's necessary to ride an expensive bike just so i can worry about it getting "lifted' every time I lock it up.)

-- However, here is my dilemma: My boyfriend insists he wants to build it for me. He is urging me to buy a new frame, switch the wheels I currently have on my Felt road bike (Mavic CXP's) to the one he wants to build. Then buy faster/lighter ones for my RB. He wants me to buy all the top of the line 10 speed components to build a "commuter/cyclo bike for commuting. -- Does this seem strange to anyone else? I think the simplicity of having a SS makes sense. -- I don't have to worry about theft as much, and there is less to break on it. -- Don't get me wrong having a Cyclocross bike would be nice too, but I don't think that is the best scenario for my needs at present.

Is it just me, or is he just build happy?

Ask him if would have preferred you build the "perfect" man instead of choosing him and all his flaws.

HA!! Touche' my friend! At least I'm not the only one that thinks this is a little "off base"!

All joking aside, I think you should end up with a bike you actually want, especially considering you'll be riding the thing. Building a custom bike is very often way more expensive than it's worth and there are plenty of decent SSFG complete bikes out there to choose from.

If you're planning on using it as a commuter, pick something that accommodates wide tires/fenders.

+1. Unless you actually want all this new stuff yourself, seems silly. If you really want to let him scratch the itch, buy a nice but needs work 10 speed off CL and get him to do a complete re-packing, re-cabling, cleaning, and tune-up.... Outside that, you should just pick up a used SSFG and safe the hassle.

LoL I used to cage my girlfriend into bikes I built/bought for "her", it took me a long time to realize what I thought she needed wasn't gonna fly with her... have you tried asking him if this isn't all stuff he actually wants and not you?

Well said! -- He has good intentions and I think he wants to best, although when it comes to bikes...all bets are off! LOL! I really wouldn't mind building a Cyclocross bike with him, but I've had my sights on an SS for awhile now so.... I think that is the direction I'm heading in, or at least for now. There's ALWAYS room for more bikes... I'm just more of a "One at a Time", type of girl! Plus, I'm kinda excited to just rock one gear...everyone says it makes you a stronger rider!

Any recommendations for a good starter bike brands? So far I've looked at GLOBES, and Motobecanes (BikesDirect). However, I might just get one from my LBS, but I thought I should at least throw it out there and see what you guys like? Keep in mind I don't wanna Fixie. --

Fixays are sw8 though.

(Also not hard to put a freewheel on a fixed gear bike, add brakes too)

If I'm not mistaken you ride a Kilo TT, right Jaytron? So If my memory serves me right, those are fixies...but you're saying I could switch it to a freewheel hub?

Most complete "fixed gear/track" bikes come equipped with a flip flop rear hub that accommodates a fixed hub/lockring on one side and freewheel on the other. However, you can easily install a freewheel on any fixed hub.

Quick question - is he buying the bike parts, or are you?

I don't think that it's strange. It's just a variation of paying somebody else to have the fun of building up your bike.

Build it yourself and make him watch.

As Scrodzilla stated most fixed gear / track bikes come with a flip flop hub. I found riding fixed on my commute has helped my road riding. I did not see a benefit riding single speed.

I just ignore the hipsters that give me crap for riding fixed w brakes.

I ride fixed with brakes and they, truthfully, have saved my life at least 2 times in the last 8 weeks.

Building isn't bad, but you have to be far enough off the beaten path of completes to justify it and you better be damn sure you're right about what you wanted. Buyer's remorse sucks, but it sucks more when you built it yourself.

Yeah, one of mine is a KiloTT. Yes you can switch it, I rode it single speed for a bit myself. (basically what everyone else has been saying).

I find that riding ss wears me out quicker, ain't got no momentum.

how fast do you want to be while commuting, and how fast do you want to be able to accelerate from a standing start?

if the answer is "not very" to each or "my legs can figure that out for me" then SS is a great option.

but don't fault your boyfriend for wanting to set you up with super nice stuff.

just get a surly xcheck and set it up singlespeed. when he wants to drop loads of cash on a new red group then it has the hanger and all necessary mounts and stops.

Let him do a build provided he pays for everything. Sound like right now he just wants to play around with your money.

I would go and get the SS that you want and then build a cross bike. Why chose, just say yes. I'm just wishing my wife would want me to build her a bike.

Another vote for single speed cyclocross. Should make for a rugged and reliable commuter.