Nice bike, very clean. I have a fd on a Schwinn cruiser and many trouble free miles on it. You might want to consider moving that hand brake to the front wheel since that's where you get most of your stopping power. Also you might want to try new brake pads. I found that the Kool-Stop Eagle Claw II have significantly increased my braking power. I got them from Niagara Cycle Works, http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_info.php?products_id=402993.
