Denali update:

at the 235 mile mark had to bring it it in to LBS for front derailleur tune up as the shifting from large to mid cog was not smooth and impossible to shift into the small ring, thankfully i never use that cog but still should be able to if i choose to, they replaced the cable and lubricated it. While working on that they noticed bottom bracket was not smoothly functioning so they opened it up and greased that for me as well. All told only cost 20 bucks which i felt was more than reasonable.

Took it out for a quick ride after work last night, did 17.7 miles at a 17.3mph pace. Bike was much less noisey and seemed a bit smoother/easier to ride. Still can't wait to burn through the 32c tires and replace them with something a bit higher end and thinner. I think its perfectly reasonable to expect to top out for hour rides on this bike around 20mph average speed once i get a bit fitter and on those 25c tires.