Originally Posted by
Bookie512
I bought an aluminum Kent from Cycles Direct. It is a nice frame. I repacked all of the bearings and upgraded the crankset and the rear derailleur, it has an 8 speed cassette. I have huge bars because of medical reasons. I do 200 plus miles a month including cruises over 50 miles. I average 11 to 13 on the long runs in comfort. You work out what is best for you by riding.
I read this post yesterday before my cruiser ride to an appointment, and as I was riding out of the driveway I thought "why would someone repack the bearings on a new bike?" I rode about 15 miles and then came home to clean the chain of the store bought "lube" and flipped the bike over to start the process. I rolled the back wheel and it slowed in about 10 revolutions, and it sort of chunked along - vibrating the whole bike. So I took the wheel off and found that the cones were super tight! I promptly took it apart, re-greased it, and assembled it properly. Now it rolls quite nice.
I need to talk with my friend at the LBS and let him know this kind of thing needs to be checked before sending a new bike out of the shop.
On another note, I have never serviced a Bendix style brake and only watched in awe as my grandfather serviced one when I was about 6 years old. It wasn't as hard as I thought, but maybe that extra 50 years of living might have had something to do with it.
