Originally Posted by
Retro Grouch
1. Are you sure your seatpost is leaking grease? It's common when assembling a bike to grease the inside of the seat tube. When the seat post is inserted it will push down any excess and may make it look like it's leaking grease.
2. Greenfield, the most common kickstand maker, has a version with little notches that won't interfere with the front derailleur cable. They cost a few pennies more so many shops only buy the cheaper version.
3. 1200 miles, even gritty commuter miles, isn't a lot of rim wear. Check the brakeing surface with your finger. If it still feels flat, that's good. If it feels concave, it might be time for a new rim. I'd get a second opinion from a bike mechanic or somebody knowledgable.
Incidentally, retensioning and trueing those wheels might be a good idea. They weren't all that great coming straight out of the factory.
1) That could explain it. I would think greasing the post would be easier. The grease is accumualted maybe 1/8in thick and forms a circle around the bottom, almost like a thick felt washer. Greasing the tube then inserting the post sounds like it could cause that sort of build up.
2) Will shop around.
3) They still feel fairly flat and they definitely need to be trued. Have done the pothole and curbs thing.