Not broken after all
I took my new bike in for repairs and discovered that the chain ring wasn't broken after all. Apparently 4 of the teeth (2 on one side, 2 directly opposite) are shorter on purpose to make switching gears easier (not that I ever use anything other than the largest chain ring). It turns out my front derailleur needed adjustment. So, I had it adjusted and a rear rack and front fender added.
I'm quite enjoying the new bike. The front shocks are great and the disc brakes are very reassuring. With my old bike, I could brake as hard as I could and come gradually to a stop. With the disc brakes, it feels like I the bike would stop but I wouldn't if I braked as hard as I could.
When I went to donate my old bike to Community Bikes (which will either refurbish it and give it away or sell it to fund the charity program), the place was closed. The web site said open 7 days a week but it just happened that they had their Halloween party on the Saturday and the Sunday was the only non-holiday they were closed (in order to clean up). Luckily, because they were actually there, someone opened the door and they accepted the bike and parts.
I'm quite enjoying the new bike. The front shocks are great and the disc brakes are very reassuring. With my old bike, I could brake as hard as I could and come gradually to a stop. With the disc brakes, it feels like I the bike would stop but I wouldn't if I braked as hard as I could.
When I went to donate my old bike to Community Bikes (which will either refurbish it and give it away or sell it to fund the charity program), the place was closed. The web site said open 7 days a week but it just happened that they had their Halloween party on the Saturday and the Sunday was the only non-holiday they were closed (in order to clean up). Luckily, because they were actually there, someone opened the door and they accepted the bike and parts.