Kona Paddy Wagon 2010 - First Build, new parts only

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

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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.

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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
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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.