Read enough that you're pretty sure you know the setup you want. Then save time: Post a proposed build, have it hacked to pieces by MA, then refine it all, propose it again, and then buy the whole thing at once, and document your steps in assembling it and tuning it.
Puchs are easy to build as long as you know what you're doing, and they don't cost a lot for how fast/fun they are. But you CAN spend a lotta money and still have a bike that runs like crap.