Is there such a thing as a lemon bike?

I had my bike for 6 month now (a KHS 3 speed cruiser). I ride it every day to work. Some spokes broke a few weeks back. Next my coaster brakes was stuttering - they told me the brake pads were misaligned. Now I just got it back and I feel a slight vibration in the pedals (only when engaging the pedals).

The irony is I got the bike because I figured coaster brake/3 speed IGH would be low maintenance.

Why did the spokes break? That's not something that should happen with a new bike. And what do you mean by "vibration"?

I am not sure why the spokes broke (rear wheel btw), but because of the coaster brake, I probably didn't realize the first spoke at first, and kept riding it until 3 spokes had to be replaced. The LBS told me that it probably was potholes etc. which could be, I also load up my bike quite a bit.

The pedal vibrations are hard to explain, but it's pretty much that. Let me clarify, it only occurs when I am coasting. I am wondering if something is rubbing (I don't hear anything, though) I do think it has something to do with the work they did on the coaster brakes. Is it possible that this is just something that can happen when new brake pads are installed.

Your LBS may have the cones in the rear wheel to tight,they need to be back off a little like a 1/8 to a 1/4 turn.

Since it only happens coasting, I suspect that the brake is mis-adjusted, and partly engaging when you coast.

Coaster brakes differ in their mechanisms, but all basically consist of a helical driver called a Bendix which moves a clutch one way to engage the sprocket to the hub shell and another to compact or expand a braking mechanism keyed to the arm on the left side, and engage that to the shell. They should be adjusted so there's a small dead zone in between when neither the sprocket nor the brake are engaged.

BTW- I don't think your bike is a lemon, though the LBS mechanic can probably use more practice on coaster brakes.

The sad truth is that most low to middle range bikes aren't built well enough for every day use. The manufacturers make a calculated gamble on components based on the assumption that the owner will use it for weekend recreation only, and never put a ton of miles on it in it's lifetime.

When it's time, have the rear wheel rebuilt by a competent wheel-builder, using decent spokes and it'll last for years. As other parts die, replace them with better stuff until the bike gradually becomes suited to every day commuter use.

maintenance is all relative , pay attention and do a little bit at a time, spokes break replace them ..

there are better and lesser quality parts some are cheap copies of the original..
Sturmey Archer AWC 3 speeds with a coaster brake are the real stuff.
more recently Sturmey Archer was Bought and they are made by a Taiwanese company

from what I read they are OK too ,
I'd get the 3 speed with a built in Drum Brake , If I were you,
and also their dynamo Drum brake combination for the front lights
[perhaps rear too]
and all-weather reliable stopping ..

25 years of reliable winter use out of my UK sturmey drum brake hubs.

Nokian studded tires will make even Icy road winter commutes OK

(that other 6 months in Chicago)

Thanks FB. I think you're on to something re the coaster brakes. Because when I lifted the bike and just spun the wheel, I thought it was stopping a little soon, just as if something was slowing it down just a little.

Also, when coasting I hear the usual clicking sound, but it will go and off...