Picked up the Dahon Helios yesterday from the LBS and rode it from downtown to meet my wife and kid who were at kid's birthday party in the Kerrisdale area. The front hub bearings and bottom bracket bearing were replaced. The BB was replaced with Shimano bearings which the bike mechanic told me would basically last forever (dunno how true that is but it was comforting to hear) and the front ones were cartridge type ones.

The front wheel now spins completely SILENT and seems to rotate forever and ever. It is hard to exaggerate the difference before and after the wheel bearing replacement. Previously, the rotation would stutter and creak. Along with the BB bearing replacement, the bike no longer creaks and the only sound is the sound of the rear freewheel and Surly Singleator and road noise. The Kojaks are quieter than the Marathon Racers the bike came with.

In golf, there have been studies showing the relationship between SOUND and FEEL. Basically, sound IS feel where golf clubs is concerned. When a bike is quietened, it seems to feel more solid and refined. A set of fenders was also mounted as we are nearing the end of summer.