Hey all,

Came here from MTBR.  I've reignited the flames of mountain biking from 20 years ago within the last two years and I'm looking to build up from scratch over the winter.  I have some minor experience working on bikes, but I'm not too worried about putting it together because I have many coworkers and friends who race and work on bikes on the side.  My stable currently consists of Craigslist finds ($400 Specialized Rockhopper 26er and a $350 Specialized TriCross single speed I use for commuting) or cheap bastard bikes ($800 Motobecane Fatbike I bought last winter).  So, needless to say I can't see myself dropping $3k on a bike, especially with my use - a few times a month at most and no racing.  I'm more focused on building a bike that's reliable and the build experience itself (need to keep my hands busy or I lose my mind).  I'm no weight weenie - I figure it would be easier/cheaper for me to lose 15 pounds, which I have to, than find ounces in bike components.

With that said, here's what I'm thinking:

Frame - IP-057 with spare hangers & suck guard = $550 shipped
Drivetrain / Brakes - Shimano Zee = $650 shipped (found on eBay)
Wheels = $350 to $400
Fork = $300 to $400
Tires = $100
Cockpit - ??
Misc - ?

Are there any other budget-blowers that I'm missing?  Looking for recommendations  wherever you guys have them.  If I don't get a whole lot of use out of the fatbike this winter, I could either sell it or part it for use here.  Looking for 1x10, and there's another build here that used Zee components.  The costs I listed out comes to about $2k, but if at all possible I'd like to get it down to around $1500.  Feel free to smack some sense into me if that's unrealistic.

Thanks!
- John