Kona Paddy Wagon 2010 - First Build, new parts only

I've never built a whole bike before, but having had my Plug Grindr pinched, the wife has said that I can go out and get the parts to do it. I'm going to be heavily relying on my brother-in-law, who's a dab hand with bikes, and usually willing to look over parts for me, and hopefully advice from you lovely people.

This isn't supposed to be a hugely expensive build, more one for me to learn about the process, and get good enough at knowing what I'm doing that I can service it myself later, and maybe build my wife a better bike at some point in the future.

Parts I've bought so far:

Frame: I've gone for the 56cm Kona Paddy Wagon frame, It's been delivered. I'm really happy with it, I love the colour. Frame number is 10I-107 across the middle of the bottom bracket, and F1011C3454 around the side. I assume that the second is the actual frame number, anyone know what the first is?

Forks: Cannondale Slice Carbon Audex - Forks have arrived, and are really pretty.

Bike Tags: These have now arrived as well, I'm impressed with them, they look tidy, have all the info on them, and will hopefully be difficult to remove. Much better than the write on things the police give out. Photo of these to follow soon too.

Saddle: I really liked the Charge Spoon I had on the Grinder, so I've just got anther the same, in black, from Tritron Cycles on the Bay

Headset: I decided to go with the Cane Creek after finding it under £30 at Merlin Cycles

Lights: Since my previous lights had gone with the bike, I had to get new ones. Having asked in the Lights thread, I decided on two rears, and a single front to start with. For rears I went with a long FibreFlare and a Blackburn Mars 4.0. For the front I've gone for a Moon Mask 5

Pedals: Having had a chat with my brother-in-law last night, I decided to grab a pair of Crank Brothers Egg Beater 1 Pedals. I don't know how well I'll get on with them, but if I really hate them they can be moved onto the hybrid, which is becoming a trail bike, and I'll grab a different pair in the future.

Lock: The Fahg mini was cheapest with Fatbirds, so I ordered it from them.

Bars: I went for TranzX Bullhorn Bars, as I'd fancied bullhorns, and these seemed a good price. I also ordered Cinelli Lumen Glow In The Dark Bar tape mainly as I didn't get the glow in the dark frame.
Mudguards: I've already got an SKS Xtra Dry MTB Rear Mudguard on my current setup, and love it, so getting another was a no brainer really.

Wheels: Decided to go with a pair from varno at V-sprint Wheels. Decided on silver Miche hubs, silver spokes, and black rims. Very very happy with them, they spin beautifully, fit the frame and fork perfectly, and are as true as a die.

Chainset: Cranks - ordered the SRAM S300 1.1 Chainset, with 170mm cranks.

Stem: Found the FSA OS-150 XTC in White at a fantastic price, so nabbed it.
Torque Wrench: Useful thing to have anyhow, so I popped a Cyclo Torque Wrench into my basket too.

Brakes: I decided on the Miche Calipers as they should fit both front and rear.
Brake Levers: Finally decided on the Cane Creek crosstop levers, as they will fit on the bars.
Freewheel: Ordered a Shimano 16 tooth one, if I don't like the gear ratio, I can always get a 17 or 18 tooth one...

Seatpost: Having had a look around, the System Ex are looking like quite good bang for buck territory.

Shoes: Decided on DHB M1 shoes, as the Shimano ones that I'd been pondering instead weren't stocked in my size, the choice was made for me.

Brake blocks: SwissStop greens are on their way from Germany

Chain: Ordered a Wippermann 7Z1

Brake cable: Ordered a Shimano 105 set

Tyres: Having looked through the Tyres list thread, I decided on the Halo Berlin Couriers

Rim Tape: Decided on the Continental one from Wiggle

Bottle cages: went for two of the LifeLine Alloy Bottle Cages from wiggle, in black.

Spacers: hunted and found Cane Creek interlocks to go with the headset.

Parts I still need to look for:

Skewers/seatpost/headset locks: I'm currently pondering the benefits of getting the 4 set of Pinhead parts, although having peered at the locks that work thread, I'm starting to be swayed by other ideas.

I'd value people's opinions on parts, either things I'm looking at, or things that I've not even thought about. I'll post other bits I've found and are considering as I look at them over christmas. I'm looking at having everything together and finally built for the 18th of Feb, in time for the frozen bridges ride.

Whilst build updates will go into new posts, as will me buying bits, and considering other parts, etc. I'll try to keep this top post updated with parts that I've got, and that I'm looking at etc. too.

Latest Build Update

2012/01/28
Took the frame, forks, bottom bracket and headset off to see the nice chaps at Brixton Cycles today (28/01/2012). They were fantastically helpful and not old faced the frame and forks, but also fitted the headset and bottom bracket/chainset for me too, as well as putting up with me taking some photos of them putting it all together. Some of the photos are in my post from today.

The bike now looks like this:

Id put a vote foward onto the mavic open pro rims. Will last you a long time, and are super light and strong.

https://www.lfgss.com/thread6261-1093.html#post2586899

Didn't know there was a new forum for CP.

However, your title is shit.

andy.w: I guessed you didn't realise, its my first bike build, and the first in the new forum, hence the title. I was planning on asking for it to be updated once I've decided on the frame.

Right, I've ordered the Kona Paddy Wagon frame, and the Cannondale forks, I'll start looking for other bits tomorrow.

I've also just gone and bought some Bike Shepherd ID tags, as they are on 2for1 at the moment, at http://www.bikeshepherd.org/salesorder

This:

I've never built a whole bike before, but having had my Plug Grindr pinched, the wife has said that I can go out and get the parts to do it. I'm going to be heavily relying on my brother-in-law, who's a dab hand with bikes, and usually willing to look over parts for me, and hopefully advice from you lovely people.

Reply:

Check with him and see if he can source the parts for you, who knows he might be able to source it for you cheaper? The forum is can sometimes be a brilliant/hostile place depending on circumstances.

This:

This isn't supposed to be a hugely expensive build, more one for me to learn about the process, and get good enough at knowing what I'm doing that I can service it myself later, and maybe build my wife a better bike at some point in the future.

Reply:

Watch the tab mate, it's brilliant that you are looking at servicing the bike yourself and learning how to do it but if you are going for a full new build the numbers can quickly spiral out of control. Best to get a budget and stick to it, go second hand if needed. As for maintaining a bike, might be good to see what your brother-in-law has in his tool box and if he is willing to lend them to you and show you how it's done, either that or a helpful LBS?

This:
Parts I've bought so far:

Frame: I've gone for the 56cm Kona Paddy Wagon frame, It's on order, and I'm now waiting for it to be delivered.
Forks: Cannondale Slice Carbon Audex - I know that the Paddy Wagon comes with its own steel forks, but the price of these was rather good, so I thought that I could stash the paddy wagon forks away, and use these instead, these have also been ordered, and am waiting for them to be delivered too.
Bike Tags: Not for BToB, but for adding the bike to Bike Shepherd Database, and currently they are on 2for1 from here: http://www.bikeshepherd.org/salesorder

Reply:
Frame and fork: Not too bad a choice
Bike tags: Brilliant but also get 2 locks, a primary long shackle/chain-lock combo, Kryptonite/Abus are the choice of most.

This:

Parts I still need to look for:

Wheels: not decided on whether to buy fully made up, or as parts yet. I'm sticking to singlespeed, and not venturing into the world of fixed gear (and the pain that I associate with it [personal issue ;)])
Riser/bars: not decided on these either yet, but I quite like the look of the charge slice.
Seatpost/saddle: again I'm not commited on this, but I did quite like the charge spoon that I had on the plug, so I may look for another of these.
Crank/chain: no idea at all yet :)
Brakes: I'm thinking SwissStop green for the pads, and maybe dirty harry levers, but I've not got any further than a vague ponder on levers.
Skewers/seatpost/headset locks: I'm currently pondering the benefits of getting the 4 set of Pinhead parts.
Lock: Since this is going to be a bike that I've put work into, I'm already feeling a lot more precious about it. Therefore the lock will be one from the Locks that Work thread. Most likely a Fahg
[/QUOTE]

Reply:

Wheels:

Id put a vote foward onto the mavic open pro rims. Will last you a long time, and are super light and strong.

As for choice of hubs, Origin-8, System-Ex, Zenith are all the same and pretty good for value, Phil Wood, Goldtec etc. if you want something more high end

Risers: Plenty on the market but go for one which you are comfortable with the setup, sweep/rise/width?

Saddle: I love my Turbo-gel, but there is a saddle for every bum hence it is a personal choice, seat post wise, Thomson if you wanna go high end, System Ex ones if otherwise.

Chain/Cranks/BB: KMC 1/8th are brilliant for the money, Sugino Messengers gets my vote for budget cranks, or get some Planet-X external BB crankset if the budget allows

Brakes: Personally I used to run shimano v brake levers on road calipers but adjusted the pull to short pull and they worked fine. Aftermarket pads are always a +

Skewers etc: Would prefer to go for nuts and bolts and glue a ball bearing into the hex slot works unless you have a particular need to remove the parts every now and then.

Tyres: Marathon Plus are brilliant for the city as I have NEVER got a puncture from them but they weigh a tonne.

Hope it helps.

Are you sure you want to go ALL brand new parts? If you're building it up yourself I would personally look for second hand bits at least for the risers, stem and seatpost (and I'd go for the saddle, brake lever and brake too) you can save really alot of money without compromising on quality or looks (eg bartape over handlebars) and if you wanted you could use that extra cash for nicer wheels/cranks/whatever which IMO you'll enjoy more. just my 2p

I've received some cash for Christmas, specifically to get parts with, the intention at the moment is to go all brand new, but nothing at list price, that may change if I see a stunning price, or something that I really desire, and can't find elsewhere.

Anyway, the frame and fork arrived today. I was really pleased with how light the frame felt, I'd not been able to find any weights for it online, so wasn't sure. I'm really please I've got the carbon forks on their way, the Kona ones seem a bit heavy when compared to the frame.

Frame number is 10I-107 across the middle of the bottom bracket, and F1011C3454 around the side. I assume that the second is the actual frame number, anyone know what the first is?

Forks are due today, but I'm on an early shift at work :(

The forks have arrived, and next to the Kona steel ones, they are really light. I'll grab a photo of them to go here later on tonight.

I need to start looking for other parts whilst people have sales on.

Any progress with your project? Looking at your frame (with black carbon forks)...I'd go for a simple 2nd hand brooks b17 saddle in brown to go with the retro kona decals, and try some black deep v rims with continental gatorskin tyres. If you're set on a new build, might be worth trying espresso wheels...seen them on ebay and they look solid and ok value for money. Black seatpost/risers and you got a nice ride right there...that's my 50p worth.. IMHO the frame has a good retro look so wouldn't trick it out with bright coloured components..quite like the look of the token track chainset too, that would go nicely :-)) I'm looking to get a paddy wagon for my winter commute, they seem alright.

right, a quick update, still no photos, but some more bits winging their way too me. Just copied from the top post, but the lights with go onto the stopgap bike until I've got the new one build, with the possible exception of the fibreflare.

Saddle: I really liked the Charge Spoon I had on the Grinder, so I've just got anther the same, in black, from Tritron Cycles on the Bay

Headset: I decided to go with the Cane Creek after finding it under £30 at Merlin Cycles

Lights: Since my previous lights had gone with the bike, I had to get new ones. Having asked in the Lights thread, I decided on two rears, and a single front to start with. For rears I went with a long FibreFlare and a Blackburn Mars 4.0. For the front I've gone for a Moon Mask 5

Forgot to put that I've also ordered pedals.

Pedals: Having had a chat with my brother-in-law last night, I decided to grab a pair of
Crank Brothers Egg Beater 1 Pedals. I don't know how well I'll get on with them, but if I really hate them they can be moved onto the hybrid, which is becoming a trail bike, and I'll grab a different pair in the future.

Really impressed with the speed of Merlin Cycles, as all the bits I ordered from them turned up yesterday morning. Photos of them and all of the other bits that I've got (apart from the Bike Tags) are now in the top post.

Next job, riser/bars/seatpost, then onto wheels.

if you're riding it as a fixed wheel bicycle, then eggbeater isn't the best choice...

I'm not going fixed ed, it scares me, I'm strictly a single speed lad...

Ah you won't know till you tried it.

I have. That's what scares me :)

I attached the Bike Shepherd tags to the frame last night. They link to this URL: http://www.bikeshepherd.org/?id=110045008

Both the bar tape

and the lock

arrived today. I'm really quite impressed with both. The lock is a massive piece of heavy weight hardware, and the tape glows really well.

Bars and mudguard arrived the other day, very happy with both of them. Just ordered a load more bits from CRC, so its starting to come together...

Clip-on mudguard and lock.. part of build?

They were bought specifically for this bike, and as part of thinking of stuff that I wanted to get specifically for it, so I threw them in.

shrugs

Gives people an idea of what's going onto it and with it. You could say the same about the lights too :)

Ordered from CRC last night:

Chainset: ordered the SRAM S300 1.1 Chainset , with 170mm cranks.

Stem: Found the FSA OS-150 XTC White Stem at a fantastic price, so nabbed it.

Torque Wrench: Useful thing to have anyhow, so I popped a Cyclo Torque Wrench into my basket too.

Wheels, chainset, stem and torque wrench have all arrived, very happy with all of them.

Planning on taking the frame, forks, headset and bottom bracket/chainset to Brixton Cycles tomorrow to get them fitted.