Basic Parts List

After some discussion relating to maintaining the parts list I decided to take a look at updating it and making it more useful.

After thinking about the parts list for a while, I determined that the main reason for having a parts list is to try and have a point of reference for the basic parts required to build a CycleKart. This is so that first timers can go and look at the parts and figure out what it is they need and how they all fit together.

With the original list that I created back in 2018 I wanted to maintain a list of actual parts sources with links to the best deals so that it made it easy for people to purchase the parts they needed, but I think that in reality most people are pretty good at searching for stuff online and will naturally try to search out deals that are better for them or their location. They just need to know what to search for. So the list just needs to provide them with that starting point.

Taking some inspiration from Steve Vinsons Amazon Parts list I decided to use Amazon as it is super convenient. Unfortunately for us, Steve is based in the US and many of the parts he lists will not ship here, so I created an Aussie Cyclekarts parts list on Amazon.com.au. Maintaining our own list also means that we can update it if required. So the main objective is that the list just provides a point of reference.

All parts are available to purchase on the Amazon.com.au website should people wan to purchase them, and are either stocked or will ship to Australia. I will admit that pricing is not necessarily the cheapest, and shopping around online will definitely result in some more cost effective purchases, as will reduced shipping if you have an Amazon Prime membership, but for any first timers I think it is a good starting point. At least they can go take a look at parts that are known to work, they can then go and spend some time try to find a cheaper version on eBay or Aliexpress. After all, shopping for parts is part of the fun of the build.

Here's the list...

https://www.amazon.com.au/hz/wishlist/ls/18OTUYIRZP9RH

I also attached a PDF for convenience.

Thinking further on locally sourced parts, there is still some value in listing those, much as the original parts list did. But as the sources are very localised it makes more sense to communicate them via the groups. After all, listing a part that's for sale in SA is not going to be accessible to someone in WA. This also spreads the load of maintaining those parts sources between the groups and is more likely going to be contributed to by group members.