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Home > GMC Denali Pro Road Bike (56cm Frame)
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GMC Denali Pro Road Bike (56cm Frame)
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Show more by GMC
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Average Rating: (40 Reviews)
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List Price: $399.99
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Our Price: $299.99
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You Save: $100.00 (25%)
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Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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2 New from $299.99
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- High-quality road bike with lightweight 22-inch aluminum frame
- 16-speed Microshift drivetrain with integrated brake/shift levers
- Dual-pivot brake system helps you stop on a dime
- Aluminum rims with stainless-steel spokes; 700c x 25 tires
- Recommended height range of 5' 9" to 6' 1"
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Product Description:
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Looking for a nice road bike but don't want to spend too much? Look no further. We proudly introduce the Denali PRO, the little brother to the very popular Denali LTD. At the heart of the Denali PRO you will find a high quality, hand crafted light weight, aluminum frame for a stiff, responsive ride. A great price does not mean that you need to sacrifice performance. The 16 speed drive-train is equipped wtih integrated Brake/Shift levers so that you can brake and shift without moving your hands from the handlebar. Dual privot alloy brakes make sure that you stop on a dime while light weight 700c aluminum rims further enhance the lively feel of this incredible value. The Denali PRO is available in 56cm frame size only. Recommended height range is 5'9" to 6'1". Stand-over is 31.5". Professional assembly is highly recommended for your riding safety and enjoyment. Customer contact information at 1-800-451-KENT (5368) or www. kentbicycles.com
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Looking for a nice road bike but don't want to break the bank? Turn to the GMC Denali Pro road bike, the little brother to the popular Denali LTD. Built with the same pride and attention to detail as GMC trucks, the Denali Pro features a high-quality, handcrafted, lightweight 22-inch aluminum frame that delivers a stiff, responsive ride. The 16-speed Microshift drivetrain, meanwhile, is equipped with integrated brake/shift levers, so you can both brake and shift without moving your hands from the handlebar. And thanks to the dual-pivot brake system, the bike stops on a dime should the terrain get rough. Other features include aluminum rims with stainless-steel spokes, 700c x 25 tires, an alloy crank, and a steel fork. The recommended height range of the Denali Pro is 5' 9" to 6' 1", and the standover height is 31.5 inches. Amazon.com Bicycle Buying Guide
Finding the Right Bike To really enjoy cycling, it's important to find a bicycle that works for you. Here are some things to keep in mind when you're in the market for a new bike: The Right Ride In general, bikes are broken down into three major categories: - Road and Racing Bikes--As a general rule, road and racing are built for speed and longer distances on paved surfaces. Thinner tires, lightweight 29-inch (700c) wheels, and drop bars that allow for a more aerodynamic position are the norm. Most road bikes, regardless of price, offer many gears for tackling both hilly and flat terrain.
- Mountain Bikes--With their larger tires, hill-friendly gearing, and upright position, mountain bikes are very popular for all types of riding, both on pavement and off. Mountain bikes that are designed specifically for rugged trail use typically feature a suspension fork. Some may have rear suspension, as well. A quick change of the tires on any mountain bike--even one that you use regularly on trails--adds to its versatility and makes it a worthy street machine.
- Comfort/Cruiser Bikes--For tooling around on bike paths, light trails, or for cruising a quiet beach-side lane, comfort/cruiser bikes are the ticket. With a super-relaxed riding position, padded seats, and limited or no gearing, these bikes are made for enjoying the scenery and having fun with the family.
The Right Price A bike's price boils down to three essentials: frame materials, bike weight, and component quality and durability. - Entry-level--You'll find a wide range of comfort and cruiser bikes in this category, as well as some lower-end mountain bikes and road bikes. Most will have steel frames and components that are designed to last for several years with frequent use.
- Mid-range--Bikes in this range may feature a lighter aluminum frame with mid-range components that keep performing after miles of use. If you're looking for a quality bike that is relatively lightweight and will stand up to abuse, this is the "sweet spot." Most serious commuter and touring bikes fall into this category, as do mid-range mountain bikes with a decent front suspension.
- High-end--Racers and serious enthusiasts who expect lightweight, high-performance components will want to stick to this category. For road bikes, exotic frame materials (carbon fiber, titanium) and ultralightweight components can add thousands to the price tag. Mountain bikes in this class often feature advanced front and rear suspension technology, as well as components designed to handle lots of rugged trail action.
The Right Size Fit is crucial for comfort, control, and proper power and endurance on a bike. Here are some basic bike fit tips: - Stand-over Height--To find out if a bike's overall height fits your body, measure your inseam. Next, determine how much clearance you'll need between your crotch and the top tube of the bike. For a mountain bike, you'll want three to five inches of clearance. A road bike should offer between one and two inches of clearance, while a commuter bike should have two to four inches. Compare the stand-over height for a given bike to your measurements (inseam + clearance) to determine the right bike height.
- Top Tube Length--You can measure your torso to get a good estimate of proper top tube length. First, make a fist and extend your arm. Measure from the center of your fist to the end of your collarbone (the part that intersects your shoulder). Next, measure your torso by placing a book against your crotch with the spine facing up. Measure from the spine to the bottom of your throat (the spot between your collarbones). Finally, add the two measurements (arm length + torso length), divide the number in half, and subtract six inches. This is your approximate top tube length. Compare this number to a bike's posted top tube length. You can allow for about two inches longer or shorter, as most bikes can be adjusted via stem length/height and saddle fore/aft position to make fine adjustments to the fit.
- Bikes for Women--Proportionally, women tend to have a shorter torso and longer legs than men. Bike makers design women's bikes that offer a shorter top tube and many comfort/cruiser bikes built for women may also provide more stand-over clearance.
The Right Accessories When you make a bike purchase, don't forget these crucial add-ons: - Helmet (this is a must!)
- Seat pack
- Lock
- Hydration pack, or water bottle and bottle cage
- Spare tubes
- Portable bike pump
- Gloves
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Customers' Reviews: Add Your Own Review |
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Excellent Value for a low-end road bike, May 18, 2010
By Kenton Lee
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I am an avid cyclist who also owns 5 other bikes, including another higher end quicker carbon fiber/aluminum road bike, which is my basis for comparison. The Pro is the cheapest road bike available with integrated shifters/brakes (brifters). It is made in China. The Pro gives you an authentic and responsive road bike feel without the typical road bike price.
RIDE
The frame geometry, wheelbase, and riding position is agressive/speed oriented, rather than comfort/touring oriented. I have ridden over 1500 miles at the time of this writing and have taken it on city roads, serious rides, and on rollers. Recently, this bike was ridden on a 110-mile ride with no problems. It rides similar to my other road bike, except the handlebars are a smaller diameter and due to the steel fork, the front end is 1.75" taller. The handlebars have conventional bends rather than anatomic bends, which I prefer. The stiffness/suppleness of the frame/fork is comparable to my other bike. However, the extra heft is definitely noticeable during acceleration. The brakes are Tektro brand dual pivot side-pulls typical to modern road bikes and are excellent in terms of modulation and stopping power. The cable housing from the lever to the front brake came 3" too long. It must be shortened 3" or else 1/2" of the initial braking stroke is ineffective. The seapost is a high quality model with good allen-bolt adjustment. The kickstand is high quality and works well. It also comes with a nice aluminum bottle cage. It comes with toe-clip pedals. These are difficult to use and should be upgraded to clipless pedals for better performance and safety. This upgrade is typical for road bikes of all price ranges.
DRIVETRAIN
The Microshift drivetrain, after some modifications, is as smooth as the Shimano Sora STI groupo that comes with inexpensive road bikes. The cable housing from the brifters come about 3" too long, so they kink at the downtube stop. This housing must be trimmed 3" or else shifting is rough and imprecise. The brifters are nice and well-designed. Its a variation of Campagnolo, SRAM, and Shimano brifters. The brake lever does not rotate, but there is a button and lever below the lever. Consequently, the Microshift brake lever feels more secure than Shimano, since the Shimano brake lever can get a little rotational displacement while braking. The front derailleur lever requires a super long throw to upshift them. Shimano brifters are better for the front derailleur. The low gear (39F/28R) is good for hills up to 6% grade with 70 rpm cadence. The high gear (53F/11R) is useable up to 32 mph.
TIRES/WHEELS
I changed the rim strips to cloth ones and the tubes to ones with presta valves. The OEM rim strip is cheap rubber and the tube will eventually push the strip through the aero wheel holes and cause flats. The schrader tubes are more difficult to pump up to 100 psi due to air leakage upon releasing the valve. The tires are a cheap and low performance Kenda model with a maximum pressure of 90 psi. At this low pressure, they are susceptible to snake bite flats. Upgrade them to sturdier and smoother 115 psi tires such as the Continental 4000's when the stock tires wear out.
WEIGHT
Out of the box, the Pro is about 27 lbs, which is heavier than most road bikes (15-23 lbs is typical). I changed out some parts including the wheelset and now mine is about 24 lbs. The wheelset is on the heavy side, especially the rear wheel, but it is sturdy with 36 spokes instead of 32 or less spokes. Other components that are heavier than typical are the old-fashioned quill stem, the 8 speed freewheel/hub(not cassette/freehub like most modern road bikes), the steel fork (not carbon fiber like most modern bikes), the all alumninum frameset (not carbon fiber), the solid bolted rear axle (not quick release), and a steel-railed saddle.
BUILD
If you are not an experienced bike mechanic, I highly recommend you have your local bike shop mechanic assemble, make the crucial modifications to this bike, and adjust the fit to your body. Otherwise, you will not be happy. The build from China was very sloppy compared to many other bikes I assembled and setup. Shortening cable housing, adjusting the hubs, adjusting the brakes, truing the wheels, changing out the rim strips, and untangling the cables were all necessary and not easy for beginner mechanics.
LOOKS
The bike can be good looking with a few modifications, and people have mistaken mine for an expensive bicycle. The Pro is made much more attractive if you take off the ugly and unnecessary black spoke protector in the rear wheel. What gives the Pro away as a cheap bike is the ugly steel spider and pants protector on the crankset. Upgrading to an all alumimum crankset will not only improve the looks but make the Pro a pound lighter.
CONCLUSION
This bike is ideal as a second road bike for an avid cyclist. Since the geometry is similar to a typical road bike, you can switch back and forth between the Pro and a higher-end road bike without re-acclimation. If you train on a 27 lb bike, you will be very fast on a typical road bike. Also, the low price means you can bring it anywhere with no anxiety in case it gets stolen. The wheels are sturdy and will take a pounding on bad urban roads.
This bike is not good as a primary bike for the novice hoping to upgrade or a serious rider because of the following:
1. The quill stem is not easily customizable. Most modern bikes use a threadless headset, so stems of different lengths can be obtained to get the perfect fit, which is paramount to road biking.
2. The rear wheel uses a freewheel and not a cassette system. It will be difficult to change the gearing or replace the freewheel on this bike, since freewheels are hard to remove and procure. Eventually all cogs wear out. I took the freewheel off and greased it heavily to make it easier to replace later.
3. The bolted rear wheel makes it harder to change flats on the road. You need to bring a wrench. You can get a hollow 3/8" x 26 tpi axle and quick release skewer for $30. Cheaper to carry the wrench.
4. The welded in kickstand bracket makes it a real pain to remove the rear wheel. Most road bikes do not have a bracket, so there's no such problem.
5. The shifting system for the front derailleur isn't as good as Shimano. Because it is a brifter system, it is much better than Revo on the Denali base model though.
6. It only comes in one size, so it will not fit everyone. A less than perfect fit will result in injuries and discomfort.
7. The stem accepts an unusually small diameter handlebar, and it is unlikely that you can change out the handlebars, in case the stock one doesn't fit or you desire an anatomic model.
Unless this is a second bike, or there is no chance you would get serious, its better to pay a little more and get the Forge road bike from Target. The Forge does not have the shortcomings above, but with an alumnimum frame and steel fork, it is questionable whether you would want to upgrade it when you get hooked to road biking. If you want even better performance than the Forge, you should get a higher end road bike. I suggest you get one from a local bike store, Craigslist, or from Bikesdirect.
102 of 105 people found this review helpful
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Acceptable if on sale., January 13, 2010
By P. Winn
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Just received my second one from Amazon. Returned the first one after sprocket ratchet mechanism failed four miles into my first ride. Prior to that, I was very pleased with the ride. I purchased the bike on sale from Amazon for less than half the list price, so I decided to exchange it instead of returning it. For typical price of 299, you would likely be better off finding a used bike of higher quality. For 170, I think I will be pleased, even if I have to deal with occasional problems. Amazon was of course wonderful in the exchange process, shipping a new one overnight and providing free return shipping of the defective bike.
26 of 31 people found this review helpful
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Best entry level road bike ever!!!!!!!!, July 9, 2010
By Matt (Pleasantville, NJ United States)
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I had decided to buy the Denali Pro after i visited my local bike shop and became very depressed at the fact that the cheapest entry level road bike there was $629.00. So needless to say i did some research online and found the Denali Pro on EB*Y for around $249.00. After assembling the bike and spending a day fine-tuning all the gears and the brakes to how I like them (watch a couple of youtube videos on how to fine-tune bike gears and brakes---this helped me out a lot with getting that local bike shop fine-tuning without the local bike shop price tag), I took the bike out for a test ride (10 miles). I rode the bike on my local bike path and found it to be very responsive and comfortable to ride. The bike is very fast. I was able to keep the bike at a constant speed of 21 mph for the duration of my ride with little effort.
One draw back to the bike was the saddle. This comes as no surprise since the bike comes with a generic stock road bike saddle. I upgraded the saddle to a ARS men's relief saddle. The new saddle is a major improvement over the stock saddle in the area of junk & rear-end comfort.
Another problem I had with the bike was the toe straps on the pedals. The strap itself came undone from the mounting position on the pedals several times. I fixed this by squeezing the mounting tabs on the straps. This has kept the strap in place.
A major selling point about this bike was the micro-shift gear system. The hand shifters are modeled after a high-end rapid fire mountain bike shifter. They are placed just behind the brake levers. This makes changing gears an effortless process. I feel that this type of shifting system is an improvement over the usual shifter/brake lever system found on other road bikes. The problem with the shifter/brake lever system is that when applying the brake it is common to accidentally shift gears. With the micro-shift gear system this is not a problem.
The 56cm frame is a perfect fit for me. I am 5'10" and fit comfortably on the bike with the seat post set to the lowest setting. I would recommend this road bike to everyone who is looking for a great and inexpensive entry level road bike.
16 of 17 people found this review helpful
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Quirky while it lasts but terrible longevity, January 31, 2012
By Spinnakr
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I got this bike new from Amazon during Spring 2011. I ride around 5 miles a day on average, with occasional longer rides, typically commuting on lousy city streets.
Some quick warnings: My bike came with 3-stop front shifters, despite only having 2 chainrings. These cannot be adjusted to properly work together. I suspect I have similar compatibility issues in the rear, as despite fixing the derailleur stops, I have never been able to get all of the rear cassette to work. Much of the bike is quite oddly standardized.
This was/is my first road bike, and at first I was quite pleased. Then the problems started rolling in: * Tires are too thin to ride on the road. I had 5 flats in 2 weeks. The first 2 or 3 were with lousy tubes, the remainder were with nice ones. Replacing the tires is not cheap. * When I replaced the tires, I discovered that the rims are, in fact, smaller than 700C. THEY ARE NOT ISO 622. Trying to fully pressurize ISO 622 tires on the stock rims will result in poor bead seats and flats. * As a matter of personal preference, 36 spokes is too many. So, to replace the rims, I needed to replace the hubs. * This turned out not to be a big deal, because the freewheel failed after about 6 months. * After about 4 months the bottom bracket bearing started failing. * After about 5 months the crank spindle had bent. This also caused the inner chainring to hit the frame.
tl;dr: If you buy this bike and actually use it, you'll put more money into repairing and replacing parts on it than you would just buying a nicer bike to begin with. Not worth the trouble.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
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Great entry level for the price., June 4, 2011
By Software Manager (Houston)
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A real good purchase. I've had the bike for little over a year and have ridden about 500m on it. It allowed me to get into the sport for an unbeatable price and then slowly spend my money on upgrades. First thing I upgraded was the pedals to Shimano cleats ($74) and I bought my first pair of cycling shoes ($100).
Two months ago I found on sale a set of Bontrager SSR wheels $220. What a HUGE difference it made in the bike. I definitely recommend upgrading both or at least the rear wheel on this bike. The original bearing system on the rear wheel is the old style open ball bearing and not sealed bearings. The upgrade to the Bontrager wheels has got me amazed. I've noticed also the impact when going through bumps reduced tremendously with the Bontrager wheels. One thing to notice is that the shifter on the bike is Shimano but not so the gears cassette. The original cassete is some old style DNP not compatible with anything. So I had to buy a Shimano 8 speed cassette for my new rear wheel ($40). With an original purchase of $250 I basically now have a $584 bike and I'm very very happy with it.
Definitely will recommend.
Also, contrary to another review above, the seat DOES have an inclination adjustment, absolutely it does. Mine came from the factory with the front of the seat kinda upwards and I tilted the seat forward until it was comfortable.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Great Entry Bike, February 3, 2011
By Bikeman
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I just recieved this bike today. It was pretty simply to put together. This is my first road bike and I really enjoy it. It is really fast and seems to be a quality item. I have only ridden 5 miles so far, but I think it will last much longer. I defintaly recomend this bike if you are a beginner or don't have $500+ dollars to spend.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Best entry bike for your money!, August 29, 2011
By Neo
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Roadie experience: I'm a CAT 3 racer. Currently own a 54cm Felt F3 roadbike full CF & compact sram red. Mileage 4.3k. My "totaled" Old roadie. Mercier Corvus aluminum/carbon with SRAM Apex components. Mileage 20.2k.
Denali pro Review Reason: I bought the (Denali pro) for my wife.
Strengths: The bike has 8 speed Microshifter. Shimano front derailleur and microshift rear derailleur. I'm impressed on both front and rear derailleurs it actually shifts very well, it needed to be fine tuned however. It has Kenda tire with max of 90 PSI. Kinda hard to pump it to 90psi with schrader valve so I changed it into presta, other than that both tires works well on the bike. The aluminum frame, steel fork, rims, and crankset were solid. Solid enough to absorb cracks and small potholes on the road. The whole bike actually rides superbly on a flat/downhill road (My wife was drafting behind me at average of 20-25mph on a flat surface). It has now 529.7miles on it incase your wondering, and so far no flats. Overall it Exceed my expectation for its price.
Weaknesses: Bike has arrive in an OK shape. Front and Rear rims was bent a little, but that can be fix. Break calipers were out of place. Bottom bracket, and both Hubs has no grease. locknut from the Headset needs to be tighten. It came with a "freewheel" not Cassette/Freehub like other roadies. Weighs at 26 lbs with no reflectors and without protectors. Needs to be clean regularly cuz dirt seems to stack-up near the welded kick-stand causing ur front derailleur to function improperly.
Conclusion: For me its the best entry bike money can buy, and more important my wife was happy with it. If you are new to road bikes, let ur bikeshop check and assemble it for you, cost you only 15-20$ well worth for your safety and for lifespan of your bike .
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Superb starter bike, February 23, 2011
By St. Harker
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I cannot recommend this bike enough for someone who wants to really dig in to road cycling.
Price: This is usually on sale for about $250-$270. When comparing this bike to others in the same price range, you are certainly getting the best deal. Other bikes may weigh as much (or even slightly less), but you are getting an excellent shifting system for the price.
Parts Quality: Everything comes packaged very well, there is some assembly required and to get the most out of your bike, I'd recommend taking it to a shop to get the gears tuned well. The frames and wheels are by no means exceptionally light, but they certainly not bad (again, for the price, very good). I also very much like the tires that came in the package. The Shimano gear system is VERY good and I was very surprised that a bike this inexpensive had such a nice system. The pedals that come with aren't anything to write home about. I replaced them (again, a very cheap fix) with ease. It also comes with a kickstand, something most road bikes drop for weight purposes (once more, very simple to remove, just a couple allen wrench turns).
On the Road: This bike does great. It absorbs shock pretty well, shifts smoothly, and has been a very good ride for me so far. I've done about 900 miles on it with ZERO issues. The seat it comes with isn't the most comfortable for long periods (a cheap fix) I also ride a pretty expensive Motobecane and can't believe that this GMC bike can hold its own against it (minus the huge weight difference).
Overall: If you're looking for a beginner bike, you won't be happier. Remember, this is a 56 cm frame. I am 6 feet tall and it fits pretty well (maybe a touch on the small side, if anything at all). Oh, it also looks pretty slick :P
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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First road bike, October 23, 2010
By Triboy
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I bought this bike for my first triathlon. The bike was pretty easy to assemble but I would suggest getting the brakes and gears tuned by a pro at your LBS. The bike performed great during training and I was very competitive on the bike leg of my race which I didn't expect to be. Plus I didn't feel like I had a childrens bike in a pro race. The bike looked just as good as any other one on the coarse and performed, which was most important to me. I would deffinately recomend this bike as a inexpensive alternative for a first time cyclist.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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GMC Denali Pro(z and cons), December 22, 2010
By Kyle
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Well, I bought this bike for one purpose, riding to class each morning at my University. I think the bike has a very appealing look to it, but it's still a cheap road bike. Of course, like anything else assembled in China with these Kent bicycles, it is a crap shoot assembly. I immediately took it to a bike repair shop to get it tuned, everything taken apart and re-assembled, brake line lubed etc. The reason I did this was the lower bracket was already getting loose, and the derailer and chain was rubbing like crazy straight out of the box. Besides these minor setbacks, now the bike works like a charm. I enjoy riding it to class because I have to go uphill each morning and this bike helps to make it a breeze. I recommend this bike to college students and casual riders, but not road bike enthusiasts, of course.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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express delivery?what a joke!, February 13, 2011
By shawn
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i paid for express delivery/it is 3 days late and counting,
according to tracking through amazon and fed-ex its on time
just because they push back the arrival date a couple times...does that still mean on schedule?
save your money on "faster delivery" its actually faster to go standard ground.
dont expect even average customer service on complaints..all i got was an insincere apology.
2 of 40 people found this review helpful
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Best Bike I ever owned - LOVE it!, December 29, 2011
By creative, dedicated eccentric (Lometa, TX United States)
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This review is not for expert riders or those who race bikes. To put it in perspective, I have logged a lot of miles on bikes in my 64 years but I am not an expert and stopped riding for many years because my work left no time. I was a little apprehensive to get back in the saddle, but after only one day I am thrilled.
I equipped this bike with a Planet Bike 5020 Men's ARS Standard Anatomic Relief Saddle with Gel, but everything else is standard.
PROS: This is the perfect solution for exercise. For many years I ran 6 miles a day and lifted weights maintaining a steady 190lbs/86.4kg. After my knees gave out I gradually gained to 226lbs/102.7kg. Everything I tried was too hard on the knees or didn't give a total body workout. For me, at least this bike has been a wonderful solution. The gear ratios keep my legs moving at a constant rate for almost any road condition. It is just as exhilarating as running. I feel much better and I'm losing weight while really enjoying it!
Shifting: The bike comes equipped with a Shimano shifter front and Microshifter rear. Some reviewers state that a competitors shifter works better. I cannot really imagine how any shifter could be really better than this one. Up shifts on the rear sprockets are accomplished by clicking (yes, clicking) the small lever on the right handle bar. Down shifts on the rear sprockets by clicking the larger lever. Shifts have been smooth and instantaneous for me since I pulled it out of the crate. I can shift through all 8 speeds at will while on the small front sprocket with no chain noise, but if I shift down past the 4th gear sprocket on the rear while on the large front sprocket there is some dragging of the chain. Staying within that envelope I have no complaints.
Up shifts on the front (to the large) sprocket are done with a click of the large lever on the left side to shift up and a click of the small lever to downshift to the smaller sprocket (a reverse arrangement from the shifter on the right which up shifts clicking the small lever).
Riders like myself, old enough to remember when derailleurs did not even have detents will really appreciate this shift mechanism. There are probably other shifters out there which are just as good as this one, but better I cannot believe.
Brakes: The brakes were adjusted in minutes with less effort than I remember on any other bike I have ever owned. They provide a smooth positive stop and so far have stayed away from the wheel when riding.
Wheels: I used to spend about 2 hours tuning my wheels (adjusting out the run-out and spoke tightness and just making the wheels round). This bike, right out the crate had no wobble, no loose spokes etc. At first I could not believe I was seeing perfectly true wheels right out of the crate, but seeing is believing. The machined surfaces for the brake pads are functional, smooth and predictable. This bike will stop very quickly.
SEAT: I did not even try the seat which shipped with the bike because in all the years I rode bikes I never saw one with a comfortable seat from the factory. I just installed the planet bike seat, but since everything else has been so good you might want to at least try the stock seat.
Pedals: I have no complaints. After 2 rides I removed the straps since I am not a racer and I like to be able to put my foot on the ground easily when stopping. They work just fine without the straps.
Ease of Assembly: This was the easiest bike to assemble and set up I have ever owned. Kudos to the folks who did a very admirable job of preparation and delivery.
Ergonomics: Everything is in the right place and the bike is a joy to ride. I bought it for exercise but I love it so much I will probably use it for transportation too when the weather is good. I am 70 inches/177.8cm and I got the large frame which fits me perfectly.
Cons: If I think of nothing negative to say, some will think I am not being objective. With this bike, it's hard to complain. The bag with the small parts was not sealed and the screws for the reflectors and the spring for the quick release were loose on the bottom of the box. There I said it.
Summary: This bike is comfortable and easy to ride. I don't write that many glowing reviews, but I really love this bike. I have been able to ride it with no problems (Thank God) despite 4 knee surgeries including 1 replacement. If you, like me, are a runner who can no longer run give this a shot; you may be surprised and I have never owned such a fine bicycle as this. Definitely recommended without hesitation.
I have ridden Huffys, Murrays, Schwinns and a couple of other brands I won't admit to. I have never owned an expensive bike, because I'm just not the kind of guy who lays out a $1000 or more for a bicycle. In my mind, I think this GMC bike is as good as any on the planet.
Addendum: After 6 rides I have made minor adjustments the the front wheel and brakes which took less than 10 minutes. The shifters continue to perform flawlessly without any adjustment whatever. Either I am very lucky or Shimano/Microshift has taken derailleur shifting to a new level. Considering the negative reviews from more experienced riders, maybe I have just been lucky, but I still LOVE this bike.
I hit a pot hole in the road and had my first flat (the rear tire) on my 7th ride. I started to patch the tube, but decided instead to follow the advice in Kenton Lee's review since he sounds like he really knows his stuff. I took the bike to the shop for a good pair of tires/tubes and it does ride better. While it was there I had everything adjusted and the wheels trued. Counting the purchase price, seat, new tires and the professional tune up I have a little over 500 dollars in the bike now. Am I happy with it? YOU BET!
I have been warned that riding everyday with my body weight I will soon be breaking spokes. If that happens I will follow up on this post, but I'm happy with this purchase.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Best entry bike for your money!, August 29, 2011
By Neo
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Roadie experience:
I'm a CAT 3 racer. Currently own a 54cm Felt F3 roadbike full CF & compact sram red. Mileage 4.3k.
My "totaled" Old roadie. Mercier Corvus aluminum/carbon with SRAM Apex components. Mileage 20.2k.
Denali pro Review
Reason:
I bought the (Denali pro) for my wife.
Strengths:
The bike has 8 speed Microshifter. Shimano front derailleur and microshift rear derailleur. I'm impressed on both front and rear derailleurs it actually shifts very well, it needed to be fine tuned however. It has Kenda tire with max of 90 PSI. Kinda hard to pump it to 90psi with schrader valve so I changed it into presta, other than that both tires works well on the bike. The aluminum frame, steel fork, rims, and crankset were solid. Solid enough to absorb cracks and small potholes on the road. The whole bike actually rides superbly on a flat/downhill road (My wife was drafting behind me at average of 20-25mph on a flat surface). It has now 529.7miles on it incase your wondering, and so far no flats. Overall it Exceed my expectation for its price.
Weaknesses:
Bike has arrive in an OK shape. Front and Rear rims was bent a little, but that can be fix. Break calipers were out of place. Bottom bracket, and both Hubs has no grease. locknut from the Headset needs to be tighten. It came with a "freewheel" not Cassette/Freehub like other roadies. Weighs at 26 lbs with no reflectors and without protectors. Needs to be clean regularly cuz dirt seems to stack-up near the welded kick-stand causing ur front derailleur to function improperly.
Conclusion:
For me its the best entry bike money can buy, and more important my wife was happy with it. If you are new to road bikes, let ur bikeshop check and assemble it for you, cost you only
15-20$ well worth for your safety and for lifespan of your bike .
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Great entry level bike, May 12, 2011
By Kastra
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I received the bike on time and was assembled very easily. Would recommend taking it to a bike shop to have it tuned to your likings and an overall inspection of the bike. It's my first road bike and I love how comfortable the ride is, friends with those pricy high-end bikes even told me you really had a great buy. For the money you cannot go wrong getting this bike if you need an entry level bike. Awesome bike, will recommend to anyone looking for a new, cheap road bike.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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What a BUY!, April 26, 2011
By Maverick (MADISON, WISCONSIN, US)
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So are you looking for a great buy on a bike? I priced out a number of bikes and researched the componets. By far if you're looking for the deal on a great road bike look no further. And NO, I don't work for the company, I just happen to be extreemly happy with this purchase. For those of you who need a bit of info on this GMC name, the bike manufacturer is acually KENT bikes who have been in business since 1909. The founder who would start out by restoring old bike frames found a true passion for it and opened up a bike shop on the lower east side of New York. From that,here we are today being offered Jeep built, GMC Denali, Cadillac, Razor, and yes- Kent bikes just as solid and full of quality as most high end expensive road and moutain bikes. I would recommend this GMC Denali to anyone not wishing to spend alot of money, but is seeking a great two wheeler.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Great bike, February 21, 2011
By darkgemini
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It was a great deal for a starter bike. I bought it as a platform, and got much more than I expected. I'm quite pleased.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Love it!, November 2, 2010
By playinwfire
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I'm an entry-level rider and this bike has been AMAZING so far. It's a fun, non-super expensive bike to get started on to see if you'll like biking and I can already tell I'll eventually look at buying a better, lighter bike in the future, but thus far, I've loved using this one!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Good, Descent & a fair price for a road-racer, June 29, 2010
By Ivan B
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As an avid experienced rider, I am very impressed with its performance & its price compared to other traditional makes. I'm pleased with my purchase however everyone needs to be aware how irresponsibe the shipping companies handle their merchandise. I had to make an additional investment of having both aluminum rims streightened an unnecessary cost to any consumer. In addition, Fedex took for ever to allocate its merchandise. Nevertheless the bike is a great buy with above average performance.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Waste of money, August 13, 2011
By aero smit (New York, NY USA)
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This bike is cheap for a reason- its complete rubbish. I assembled the bike and it worked fine for 2-3 weeks before I realised that the flywheel was loose and there is nothing I could do about the cranking noises. I had the bike rebuilt by a local mechanic and even then its not fine. Do yourself a favor and save some more money to buy a real Trek bike, this 1 is just not worth the headache.
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
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great ride once it is fixed by a pro, June 29, 2011
By Caldecutt
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got one ride before the right shifter on the handle bar broke. had to pay one hundred dollars just to get a new one. contacted bike maker to see about any warranty and all they said was we don't have the piece in stock. order the part and have my bike shop put it on. at the bike shop they tell me the derailleur is bent which i assume is from shipping because i did not crash or bend it. they were able to unbend it as much as possible. now the bike runs at ninety percent of how it should.
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Poor bike seat, May 16, 2011
By Ki Mun
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Well its call Pro but they missed out on the pro seat.. U can adjust the height but then the inclination is not possible to adjust.
I had to buy extra parts to make it work.
Also when i got this bike.. the hand grip was already ripped of. Had to use a tap to stick it.
1 of 4 people found this review helpful
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GMC Denali Pro Road Bike (56cm Frame), June 6, 2011
By Zorro
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I bought this bike as an introduction to road bikes. I was going to buy a higher end bike, but before I dropped over $1,500 on a bike, shoes and outfit, I thought it best to try it out on a lower end bike and progress up if I liked the sport. Initially I was going to give this bike 4 stars but upon reflection I realize for what I paid ($200), it was deserving of 5. The bike is relatively light. I know there are much lighter out there, but not for the money. I also load up the bike with a heavy cable lock and a liter bottle of water. Weight is not an issue, but for those who care, you won't be disappointed.
It shifts smoothly and breaks predictably. I'm a bit hands-on so I went to YouTube and taught myself how to tune the gears (I didn't want to pay $80 to tune a $200 bike). Since it shifts well, it must say something about the components.
I went on 3 trips, longest 15 miles, and was very pleased with the ride. Being I don't plan to race, you'll need to get feedback from some other review to access speed.
The only negative thing I can say is the seat is hard. Here even I will splurge for a better component.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
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My first road bike...WINNER, October 6, 2011
By Nick
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I bought this bike wanting to burn a few extra calories and enjoy the outdoors on thos nice summer days. I thought the price was reasonable, as I knew I was not riding in the tour de france. I read the reviews on this website about the bike and assembly that was required. I also was hesitant to pull the trigger after I read some reviews about preformance and wheel/hub problems. However, after much debate and some back and forth with my wife I decided if I have to spend the extra 65$ or so to take it to a bike shop to assemble, and here and there parts it would still be worth it. So I ordered it right off of this site. I waited, and was anxious to see what horrible mess would come in the mail. To my surprise a box labeled and tightly bound arrived to my home. I thought to my self that this was just a box wait till I open it to see the horror inside. I opened the box, and to my surprise the bike was pretty much completely assembled. The only peices not on the bike were the forks, front wheel, seat, and pedals. Me still be pessimistic thought I bet all the peices are not labeled or missing. So I dug in. In about 20 mins flat my wife and I had this bike together and in working order. We are not bike mechanics, nor avid bike riders. My next thought was that was a really easy assembly, and all the reviews I read said it was a nightmare?? I bet this thing will fall apart as soon as I get on it. So down the road I went.......nothing the brakes were a little weak, but after some review I noticed the break pads not being close enough to the rim. So I adjusted the pads and pulled the wire to the break handle tighter and boom...perfect!! I have put about 175 miles on my bike so far and really have had no complaints. It shifts a little hard sometimes but to be expected on a novice bike, plus my decision on when to shift might have something to do with that. Again, I am not an expert cyclist. I do plan however on possibly buying some new tires for the bike next year, but unless something goes horribly wrong will put nothing esle into the bike. Good buy for the novice rider!!
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Nothing but an imposter!, October 2, 2011
By the poor bicyclist
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I purchased this bike with intentions of upgrading from my 1970's 10 speed Schwinn World Sport.
The first thing I noticed when I opened the box was how beautiful the paintjob was...well the decals. The bike is actually gloss black with some real cool looking decals decoratinvg it. The handlebars and shifters also looked pretty legit.
So the bike looks nice, but how did it perform? Like a walmart mountain bike with road tires on it.
-this bike has a vitesse seat and wheels, which are commonly found on walmart bikes.
-the rims were so poorly made that you can see the seam where the rim was welded together.
-the manufacturer had the nerve to lay down a decal stating "shimano equipped" when the only shimano component on the entire bike is the front deraileur, which is so cheap that it doesn't even display the model number.
-the crank arms are made of steel and the crank assembly is that of what you'd see on a walmart NEXT
- the imitation racing tires are so cheap that the yellow lines don't even run straight. It looks like they were free handed by a 5 year old.
So overall, if you want a 100 dollar mountain bike that has been outfitted with imitation racing wheels and bottom of the barrel components then the denali pro is for you.
Just buy a bike from bikesdirect.com...your money will go much further.
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Very nice, September 15, 2011
By George
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This is nice bike for an average rider 2 to 6 hours a week,
Looks much more expensive than the actual price.
It ride very nice for average rider, the seat could be better.
The gear shifter very responsive not like my old bike.
The bike needed assembly it took about one hour.
And about one hour to set all the adjustments
Some of the negatives.
The box came damaged, but the bike luckily was in good shape.
The bike assembly for average person could be difficult, I had all tools necessary to do the job.
After all.
Highly recommended for average rider.
Good luck.
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Yes thanks, June 11, 2011
By Chris Loeffler
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I bought this bike to get me 20 miles a day to and from work with plenty of hills in-between. It works like a dream. I am a bicycle novice and was able to assemble the bike in less than an hour. For the price, you cant go wrong. I guess it is a little heavy compared to other road bikes, but it moves so fast, and the gears change so smoothly...like I said, for the price, you can't go wrong.
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GMC Denali Pro Road Bike (56cm Frame), June 6, 2011
By S. Valente
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I bought this bike as an introduction to road bikes. I was going to buy a higher end bike, but before I dropped over $1,500 on a bike, shoes and outfit, I thought it best to try it out on a lower end bike and progress up if I liked the sport. Initially I was going to give this bike 4 stars but upon reflection I realize for what I paid ($200), it was deserving of 5. The bike is relatively light. I know there are much lighter out there, but not for the money. I also load up the bike with a heavy cable lock and a liter bottle of water. Weight is not an issue, but for those who care, you won't be disappointed.
It shifts smoothly and breaks predictably. I'm a bit hands-on so I went to YouTube and taught myself how to tune the gears (I didn't want to pay $80 to tune a $200 bike). Since it shifts well, it must say something about the components.
I went on 3 trips, longest 15 miles, and was very pleased with the ride. Being I don't plan to race, you'll need to get feedback from some other review to access speed.
The only negative thing I can say is the seat is hard. Here even I will splurge for a better component.
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Great bike for te price!, May 26, 2011
By Pen-name
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Was a little hesitant to buy the bike at first, but overall extremely pleased with the performance. I am a novice road cyclist and my first group ride was apx 25 miles. I was able to keep up or exceed the performance of the experienced riders that were riding the 800+ dollar bikes.
I personally put it together when I got it in the mail, which wasnt hard and saved me $80. After about 150 miles I decided to have it professionally tuned. At first, the shop was a little turned off by the fact that he didnt recognize the brands of parts, but when I went to pick it up he told me how impressed he was with its performance when he test rode it.
Overall be sure to have a professional true the wheels, tune the brakes and gear shifting. But it has exceeded my expectations with its performance and will be using it in an upcoming race to raise money.
A+++
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AWESOME BIKE!!!, May 22, 2011
By bob
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i got this bike a dat earlier than i was supposed to get it.. it rides great and is a very good bike for its price.. if your going to start biking get it!! i payed 250 for it but i had to go to a bike shop to tune it up and that cost me 50.. so total it was 300.. i suggest that you do the same because it really helps and its hard to put together right put of the box.. and they adjust it for you.. so you should do that :).. overall great bike!! very happy... just onproblem. i took the bike out for my 5th day of riding and the front wheel got flat. the tires arent that strong i guess but there still ok. i fixed the tire and now it rides smooth again.. other than that good bike
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Looks great, May 15, 2011
By Daniel Cardenas (Chandler, AZ United States)
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Difficult assembling it, but enjoyable. Front wheel was warped a bit. Had a hard time truing it with an adjustable wrench. Suggest you buy a spoke wrench if you don't have one. Everything on this bike looks great. I haven't done a good job of adjusting the front gears yet though. Given that other road-bikes at local stores cost $700 minimum, this is a great buy.
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Great bike but don't let your friends borrow it., April 25, 2011
By Enemy Boat
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I've had this bike for over 6 months now and I would say that it was well worth the price. The box it came in was huge and I had no idea how much of the bike I would have to assemble but in about 45min it was all together, tuned up and ready to go. Given its low price I was originally afraid that over time it would simply fall apart or rust but I can see that that isn't going to happen. I use this bike to commute to campus everyday and other random excursions so it gets almost daily use. The durability has been put to the test as well since it has now been through one major wreck. First time I let a friend borrow it and long story short the bike went sideways at 25mph. Everything held out fine (including the rider) except for the shifters which absorbed most of the impact (shearing one off completely). I replaced them with Shimano St-2300s and now this bike is complete. The only thing that I don't like about the bike is the fixed rear wheel but still for the price I'm not really going to complain.
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EXCELLENT BIKE FOR THE MONEY!, April 25, 2011
By Adams
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I recently purchased this bike. I am more of a recreational biker, but enter a few charity bike runs throughout the year. I used to ride on a hybrid and decided to go with a road bike this year. If you have not put many bikes together, this one was pretty easy to assembly right out of the box. It took me about 1 hour, including minor adjustments, to put together. However, I highly recommend getting a basic tune up from your local bike store just to make sure everything is working properly. After a got it tuned up I road it for about 12 miles. Make sure you get a better seat, the factory one is not very comfortable. Overall, the bike rides smoothly and I am quite impressed of its performance. I flat out refused to purchase a $500 or more bike. This one really fit my budget and I have no complaints so far. As for the weight, actually it is pretty light compared to others. While it is not carbon, it works. My first time out I averaged about 18 miles per hour on a flat surface. For the money, you can't go wrong.
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for the PRICE, Cant get any better!, April 24, 2011
By Abes
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First I will start by saying that Im not a pro in biking. Im just a regular guy who is sick of hybrid bikes and wanted to own a decent bike without having to pay tons of money for it. I have had this bike for several months now and I use it to commute to school between now and then. around 9 miles round trip. and I love this bike!!! Its a little bit heavy. but its a very smooth ride. It was easy to assemble however i agree with previous reviewers the brakes need some professional help. I will keep it short. If you just want a road bike that looks nice and rides well as a hobby between now and then then this is the bike for you.
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It is an OK bike, June 28, 2011
By Jason Owens (RICHMOND, INDIANA, US)
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For what I paid it was an OK bike. I had to have it worked on and tuned up which I expected to pay for any way, but the rear derialer takes for ever to change gears. The guy at the bike shop tried everything to get it to work right and he couldn't. Looks like I will hve to replace it the derailer to get it wear I enjoy it.
0 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Not the best, not the worst, May 26, 2012
By Nelson
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Just received the 2012 56cm GMC Denali Pro a few days ago and I'm not too impressed but not completely disappointed either.
The overall look is typical of a bike you would see at a discount store and I agree that it looks best without the stickers on it, especially the GMC badge (that was coming off already when I opened the box). The seat is not very comfortable and is quite heavy. The crankarms and and front derailleur (only Shimano part) are "ugly" and clunky. The handlebars are secured by a generic quill stem that has a ugly finish on the welding.
In some aspects this bike looks and feels like a much more expensive bike than it is. The integrated shifters/brakes (or brifters) are quite nice and work well after being properly adjusted however, people with small hands beware, these brifters are for people with medium to large hands. The rear derailleur is also a Microshift and is decent entry level quality for anyone trying out road cycling. The wheels, albeit heavy, are strong enough for the typical beginner rider to work with (36 spokes). The 6000 series aluminum frame is strong and yielding enough for recreational purposes (I believe it's the same frame as the Giordano Libero 1.6, same angles and material but the Libero is MUCH MUCH nicer in appearance, equipment and overall value - both bikes are made by Kent Cycles).
Assembly was quite easy for anyone with some experience with bikes but I would highly recommend that you should take it to your local bike shop to get it running properly (they might find something that you might not be aware of). The wheels needed truing, but I expected that. Also, this is the type of bike that if you start getting serious about putting lots of miles on it you should seriously consider upgrading components, especially the crankarms, front derailleur, bottom bracket, and rear wheel, oh and the saddle.
Now, there's three items that are somewhat surprising about this bike, but they're not that fantastic either. First, the pedals, they are decent clip/strap pedals (entry level stuff). Another thing are the brakes, they are actually "nice" Tektro brakes (entry level stuff too) with quick releases. The last of the "nice" things are the Microshift brifters (brake/shifters) and rear derailleur, again entry level stuff but decent enough on a bike like this.
Overall it's a decent bike but not something that blew me away, the one that did that recently was the Giordano Libero 1.6, now that is a bike that combines looks, value and overall decent quality (just make sure to get different pedals and brakes).
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Perfect for Starters, April 14, 2012
By TSL95
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I am new to biking with road bikes, so to me this bike is awesome. I am used to riding mountain bikes, but I really like this bike a lot!
I wanted a local bike shop to assemble it for me but they were asking $100 to do it, which I though was insane because assembly took me only 20 minutes and was pretty easy.
For the money this bike is worth it for starters. I highly recommend it!
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Great Bike, April 12, 2012
By R T Austin (Baltimore, MD)
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Great Bike GUYS. I truly truly truly TRULY enjoy this freakin BIKE!!!!!!!!!! I wish they had the limited edition one so I could buy that one:(
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Perfect for its purpose, January 10, 2012
By londonbass (California)
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Anyone interested in this bike should read Kenton Lees review. I will also say that the folks over at Kent Bicycle (who make the Denali), especially Paul K., were extremely helpful with all of my questions- Setting it up, upgrading and also getting a replacement part.
First, this bike is at an extremely low price point for a new modern road bike with integrated brakes and shifting. Some people like upgrading parts, including myself, so with that in mind- This bike can only be upgraded to a certain point before it is financially not worth it. Kenton mentions the rear wheel and chain ring as an example and there are many others like presta valves, tires (with greater than 90psi), better foot straps or clip-ons. You can cause short and long term damage to the bike if the chain is not inspected and adjusted properly. You should also factor into the price a brake and derailleur tuning as it is not easy to do it properly.
I bought this bike because I live in Oakland and travel in high crime areas of town and didn't want to invest alot of money for a commuter bike. I also bought this bike to do most of the work myself and learn bike mechanics. Their are so many small things you have to know (& have the tools) to do a proper tuneup that I finally just paid someone to finish the derailleur settings (Did the rest).
Bike rides nice and fast but you have to always check pressure on tires before leaving so you don't get snakebite/pinch flats (got one when tire was only slightly down). Integrated shifting is awesome and gives it that expensive road bike "feel". Wouldn't recommend it if you plan on upgrading much. Overall for the money its a fantastic bike.
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Not bad for a beginner bike, January 7, 2012
By aolsen30
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I bought this bike as my first road bike because of the price. It is not a terrible bike, although it is very heavy. Once I started riding it more I had to replace almost every component on the bike as it uses almost exclusively old style parts (stem, cassette, pedals, saddle, stem, fork, wheels) after having done all of this I spent far more on the replacement components than I did on the actual bike. If you are just looking for a bike to ride around a bit this should do the trick for you but if you are more serious about getting into cycling/triathlons, don't make the same mistake I did, suck it up and spend a grand on your bike, you will be very glad you did.
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Pay Almost Double for a Low Quality Bike Here, April 15, 2012
By Hiker
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Advertise General Motors and your aspiration to own an SUV when you ride this bike. This same junk is available at Walmart for $159 -- get it here for only $140 more!
0 of 4 people found this review helpful
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