Thank you everyone for your suggestions.

Jeff - I really appreciate that rim recommendation. The cross section looks wicked strong! I'm going to buy it.

MrRabbit & Omiak - I will need to stay with a 36 spoke rim because I need to use a Shimano Nexus 3 speed hub with coaster. Given the design of the frame, the 3 speed is the only way I can have gears and a brake. Both are important.

FBinNY - Thank you for the spoke recommendation. I understand I need 14g straight spokes or 13/14 single butted spokes. How do I determine what length spokes I need without measuring (as in, before I order...)? And how do I choose correct nipples? I've found a few great guides to wheel building online but they do not address choosing correct parts.

My plan is to order all the parts and build the wheel with my father on a saturday. He used to build motorcycle wheels in the sixties so I think we can blunder through. But if I don't have all the right parts in hand we're kinda screwed...

Thanks so much everyone,

Cassidy