Gyroscopic Investing

So I just got permanently hired and will soon be using Vanguard for a 401K.  Now if I do nothing, I'll automatically be signed up to Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 fund.  I don't really find this acceptable, there's just too much risk on this fund for me. 
So my choices are to simply choose a Target Retirement fund that is closer, hence it'll be more conservative, like say Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 fund.  Then change to another Target Retirement fund down the road when that one gets too conservative even for me.  With these target funds, they get more and more conservative as they get closer to their retirement year.
What I'm leaning towards though is just picking a assortment of Bond and Stock funds to invest in.  Say around 33% Bond Index Fund and the remaining 67% splitting up among three Stock Index Funds.  Then down the road when Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 fund becomes more conservative, I'll invest everything in that specific fund.
I guess I'm hoping someone could tell me the pros and cons of either choice.

Well, since this is the PP forum people here are going to me more inclined to persuade you to use the PP than figure out how to build a stock/bond portfolio.  If you're set on that, you may find better advice at the Bogleheads forum.

Do you have access to the LifeStrategy funds?  They hold fixed allocations like you want.

KevinW wrote: Well, since this is the PP forum people here are going to me more inclined to persuade you to use the PP than figure out how to build a stock/bond portfolio.

That's for sure.

But if you're hell bent on using a stock/bond portfolio, my advice would be to at least buy some gold coins.  Maybe just 10% of your portfolio. 

Beyond that, I doubt the date of the retirement fund really matters.