Decided I'm going to keep the fork and V-brakes as is. Front wheel definitely needs to be replaced or repaired though.
So I have a choice here, I found a new wheel consisting of Deore Hub and WTB DX23 rim is about $70. If I get a new rim, it's about $40 for WTB DX23 or WTB Dual Duty XC. Labor to build a new wheel is $50 plus. There is a $10 charge to dismantle a wheel so I assume that's additional if I want to salvage the hub. So $70 for a new wheel or $100 to rebuild a wheel and reuse the hub. Am I spending too much here?
Here's the wheel I found:
http://www.amazon.com/WTB-DX23-Front.../dp/B004KNOMD4
It's about the same cost as the Performance Bike $60 wheel after tax. The up side would be I know what rim and hub I'm getting.
Current front wheel is Alex 559x17 with Shimano MC18 and everything I find points to Alivio hub.
The pedals are feel kind of "chunky" if I turn them by hand. They rotate freely, but if I rotate them by hand, it does not feel smooth. This is the pedal only, not moving the crank. I may replace these with BMX style pedals.