Great advice on trying to repack the original bottom bracket first, I rode up to the bike shop today to get a crank puller. Glad I did cause it turns out I don't even need the special socket for the bottom bracket like I thought I would, the guy at the counter told me it was the old style and all I needed to remove the bottom bracket was an adjustable wrench and maybe a screwdriver and a hammer to remove the lock ring. Glad I went there instead of ordered.
Anyway, on the ride today I noticed my adjustments were a bit off. Not BAD off, I just need to set my limiter screws differently as if I went crazy with the shifter it would sometimes jump off. Every gear engaged properly otherwise, and minimal rubbing. Very true about learning the shifter adjustments, one day when I do upgrade it could probably be a pretty decent setup, aside from the weight.
Unfortunately, that was the ONLY ride I got today...somehow I turned my alarm off in the middle of the night, I don't even remember doing it. No 5 am ride, and no top speed report. On the way home I was limited to the second gear set because I was holding the tool (no innuendo intended) in my left hand while riding. But I topped out at 24.4 mph in 2-7 on level ground. I bet I could easily top 30 in 3-7 with the same effort, so CigTech's top speed reports seem pretty accurate.
On my ride I went down some pretty bumpy roads pretty quickly that I felt were a good test of how well the wheels would stay in true and everything would hold together. Rough old concrete roads with huge seams, downhill too. It handled it very well, better than some cars I've been in...literally. Felt well planted. Wheels were still true when I got home. I did notice last night that one of the tires was very slightly out of round. I don't expect they are very expensive tires, but they have held up fine so far.
So only about a 2.5 mile ride today, to the bike shop and back. Better than nothing I suppose.
Here are the pics!
If nothing else, it sure is a nice looking bike. The popping is still present and it's more annoying than ever. Not that it's gotten any worse I don't think, but it's kinda like a drip in the faucet while you're trying to sleep...the longer you hear it, the more annoying it is. I'm going to tear down the bottom bracket here in a bit and shove some wheel bearing grease in it. That's the great thing about my previous auto wrenching experiences, a lot of the tools and fluids I use for my cars I can use for my bike also.
By the way, I saw that guy on youtube with his Denali. His review was one of the things that got me interested in it in the first place. I'd be pretty happy if mine saw that many miles with as few of problems. I'm sure it can get to that many miles and beyond quite easily, but how much I'll have to replace is the question that only time will answer.
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