when the bearings are facing the cone, the cage doesn't move and the axle spins smoothly... when the bearings are facing the cup, the cone grinds against the cage. neither seem ok to me. i really wanted it to work for today, but i noticed a small pit on one of the cones. so, screw it, i'm going to a different LBS, buying a new axle/cones and loose bearings and doing the right way from the get-go. i'm quite pissed that the guy gave me the caged bearings as my only option, because now i have to wait a couple days to replace everything (because classes started yesterday... ARGGHHH)
thanks for all the comments everyone!
i'm going to post a picture thread of my newly overhauled nishiki international.
the frame is really nice, but i'm cleaning up some of the components.
until then, everyone have a good week