Buying a bike for its frame is the best option for those who dislike the standard components. As you will be stripping out those components anyway, I'd buy a secondhand one. Why? Unlikely you'd be able to sell the low spec components anyway so why pay for something you will not use?

Sure, there will be scratches here and there, unless they are real bad, but you can negotiate the price down. I have in the past managed to get Ultegra staff secondhand as well, low kms, so all up you end up with a very nice bike.

KenC's suggestions may suit him but not to most of us. I can't see the point with buying a cheap bike
to upgrade or actually building one from scratch. Maybe he has very good design and welding skills, which is great. But even so, what do you have at the end of the day? A unique bike only suitable to oneself. I'd much prefer one that has a wider pool of potential buyers so it will retain some value.

At the end of the day, we can discuss as much as we like, some comments will appeal to some but not others, vise versa.

What to do? I can't weld like you can... 

Mine are all the common variety, not one-off handmade masterpieces.

Ok, here is the deal, I got a few folding bikes at home, if you can come over, i am willing to let u test it out.
From 16 to 18 to 20..then u decide from there which one u like.

Hey, you are the one suggesting that unless I build my own unique bike, everything else wouldn't have been made to suit me! Lol

As you have made it all sound so easy, how about you building one from scratch and sharing with us here? It will be very helpful and would show the rest of us why we are wasting money buying good bikes?

Sure, TIG welding set would be cheaper, but it would be as useful as a bull with tits to the rest of us.

I having an issue after 9months ride on folding,  wonder jump to roadbike for longer distance ride.  Will it be good choice on it? Currently owned java Tt as started bike earlier,  will you all recommend to upgrade folding instead of roadbike for distance cycling

Not sure who gave you the impression that Moultons are meant for 40kmh. That speed is an effort even for RBs. We all know it, so let's cut the BS. Sure, 40kmh no problems, but in reality how long can you sustain that for? Sure, there'll be some who can do it, but for most?

Moultons are generally heavy and with the smaller wheels, I'd take my RB anytime. I did not enjoy mine, hence sold it.

Just curious, anyone here wrap his new bike with protection film? Any shops are giving this wrapping service?

I read some shops in Thailand are providing wrapping service.

By the way, I just completed wrapping film for my new bike.