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Dumonde Tech is the business. I say use what you like but I find waxing for the birds, and the performance isn’t as good, IMO. I say this as someone who can use whatever I want, for free, and who fixes bikes for a living every day. I’ll use whatever you want to pay for, and respect your choice...

Grom, yes. Navi, no. My first ride was a Z50 in the late 60s and my wife has a Vespa that’s fun. I’ll ride almost anything but there are limits.

Not sure he’s technically a customer.

Empathy? He took it outside and got physical. Here’s an idea, counselor: whip out your wallet and give the guy some money. In my experience that has a magical calming effect on irate customers. That’s what the employee should have done. Remember the (actual) quote: The customer is always right...

I used to use the brass brush from a gun cleaning kit on the blind hole. Now I use a flex hone and cutting oil, then clean it out and use Sil Glide (that NAPA stuff) and maybe new boots. It’s always the rear that sticks for some reason.

Cup and cone bearings have real advantages in cases (e.g. bottom brackets, hubs) where the system bears side loads. They’re more expensive to manufacture to a high standard, and much more demanding to adjust though. Cartridge bearings can still end load, and proper alignment is critical.

A common round ball bearing in a bicycle is either loose (as in your hubs) or enclosed in a retainer. If the latter, it’s called “caged” while the former is called loose. That bearing is installed in a hardened steel race called a cup, because aside from the hole it resembles a cup. The part of...

If you have loose balls in your rear hub crank down on the freehub side and adjust from the left side. As noted, leave a tiny bit of play or looseness to account for the skewer end loading the cones. To get a feel for this you could actually insert washers or a set of dropouts if you can procure...

It sounds as if the bearing is end loading, slightly askew, or something is rubbing. The wheel shouldn’t have that much drag. And good catch with the grease. That’s a no no. Some hubs do use solid lube (e.g. Chris King ring lube or Hugi/DT star ratchet designs) but never in a freewheel or...

I actually have a road bicycle with a dummy lever on the left (my right lever goes to the front brake, as it should). I don’t think I’ve ever worn out rear brake pads. I use the brake, lightly (unless it’s an emergency, which let’s face it, rarely happens).

Believe me when I say cantilever and sidepull road brakes exist that provide plenty of power to easily lock up the front brake. Perhaps not on entry level bikes, but the failure to perform is not a design limit.

Wow. What a deal. That’s incredible!

How much was the kit?

My thought is: stick with the easy thing. Get a Glock. I believe in learning a weapon (or manual of arms) and sticking with it. I firmly believe in muscle memory and have witnessed a weird phenomenon many times-in moments of extreme stress, the body (or brain) reverts to the familiar. It’s for...

No, the higher end units don’t have that ridiculous sleeve and some use Enduro bearings. https://www.jensonusa.com/Wheels-MFG-BSA-Road-68mm-Bottom-Bracket-7

That plastic sleeve often breaks. Your BB is amazingly durable…given its price (I just bought some for less than ten bucks). A high quality (Wheels of Boulder for example) BB costs about $70 (wholesale) but is much better and uses different bearings. A huge cost is the bearings. This is where...

The chainring is probably fine. You’ll know if it isn’t because the chain will slip on it. If you need to replace it they’re not too expensive. I’d be surprised if you have to. The cassette body usually has play. There are micro shims that can be used if you have to but again I doubt you’ll need...

Exactly. Dedicated hose. Every E0 pump near me has one.

Let’s get something straight: I’m a cheapskate. You’ve got me dropping 10k on a 29er! I don’t OWN a 29er. And I buy bikes at below dealer cost, if I have to buy one, which I don’t. And anyone who knows me even a little knows that I’m well aware that the quality and design of bicycles has gotten...