Sorry to bump this again, but I have more info.

Last night I tightened the retaining ring on the bottom bracket a bit. I'm not sure if that did it or if it worked it's own way out but the popping is gone, completely. Didn't hear/feel it once during my 9 mile ride today. So disregard my comments about the bottom bracket as it seems to be a non-issue. I've read in places that bottom brackets can sometimes pop or click when they are new, perhaps that's what's happened here. So overall 0 mechanical issues to date.

Finally got everything adjusted perfectly, and by that I mean the front derailleur which I have been struggling with for a while. Finally found a great guide that does it right and now it just shifts beautifully front and back. Shifts are almost imperceptible both in the auditory and tactile senses. Not much chain rub either, just a little in 3-1 which is to be expected. It really is a pretty sweet riding bike now that everything is worked out. I only wish I had more endurance to take it further off the direct route but that will come later.

Also getting a 1200 lumen forward lighting system. Well, I call it a system but it's just a nice flashlight + a mount. I have found that I really like taking the dark country roads and my $20 Wal-Mart Schwinn halogen lamp is marginal at best to see or be seen. I'll keep it as auxiliary lighting.

Anyway, I'll stay out of this thread until the end of the week or until something else important happens. 36 miles on the odometer now.
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