First, when you say from the ground up, I hope that that does not mean starting with a frame/fork set only. That would take a great deal of the fun out of the project which you just might never complete.

No, start with a complete bike that you can disassemble, learning as you do so. Take pics to assist with proper reassembly. Clean, lubricate, replace cables, cable casings, brake pads and, of course, tires. Then start putting the bike back together. Tuning is the last thing you need to learn how to do. Learning..?

You are at the right place to learn right now. The Bike Forums is a great place to glean information and seek assistance. Parts and accessories can also be found on the For Sale forum, a more than worth while forum to join.

But, before you buy, make sure the bike fits. If you don't know to determine that, then, once again - you are in the right place. Just ask and you just might be surprised at how much information can come back.

Best of luck and show us what you find, once you have your ten post limit reached.