Thanks for the positive comments! Pictures will come tomorrow when it's light out.
Unfortunate to hear that it's likely the bottom bracket making that light thump, but it makes sense as it does happen most often while pedaling in low gear. I'll let it ride for now until the pedal becomes wobbly, and then replace it. Should only be out $40 for tools and parts. I bet I can use my axle grease for my truck on the new bearing. If it works for the wheel bearings on my truck, it ought to work on these too. And replacing this bearing is a LOT simpler than replacing the wheel bearings on the truck, so nice. With the right tools I could do it in 15 minutes I bet.
By the way, do local bike shops usually carry crank and bottom bracket removal tools? I'd just as well ride up there on my Denali and buy the tools myself, rather than have them shipped to my house.
So, chalk that up for one against the Denali...assuming of course it fails. But I think the bottom bracket could very well be suspect.
Earlier today I spent a few hours (yup, hours) trying to clean up the remaining issues with the derailleurs. Pretty much had everything apart at one point. To start with, the gear shifts were a little rough (but accurate) and the front derailleur had chain rub in 3-7 and in 2-1. This was with the derailleurs in their original orientations from the factory, just tension and set screw adjustments. Moved things around a bit, and adjusted tensions and screws, now it's smooth shifting again and only has a little chain rub in 2-1. Guess it's something I'll have to get used to.
I think so far my biggest impression of this bike (other than it's enjoyable rideability) is that it is best left for the mechanically inclined, or to a bike shop for setup. But it would really be best if you work on it yourself, I think. It holds it's adjustments but I seem to be constantly messing with it, I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to mechanical things. As I mentioned I had to pretty much take both derailleurs apart to get them working as close to perfect as I think they can get, most novice riders won't do that. I'm not even sure most bike shops would do that.
About the handlebars, if I were to change shifter style would I be able to get new handlebars then? I'm okay with both for now, but always good to know for the future.
Tomorrow I'm going to try a new 6 mile route and see how it goes. Much bigger hills but I'm going to see just how fast I can get the Denali to go with my out of shape self. Maybe I can crack 30 like CigTech?
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