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GMC Denali Road Bike Review
Even though this bike has a GMC badge it’s produced by Kent International. In my opinion, this is a good sign since a company, with many years of experience, is producing the bikes, and it’s not a company that, although they might be very good making cars, are just starting out in the cycling industry.
They are a family-owned company dating back to the early 1900s. Kent possesses the licensing rights to 5 external brands, as well as their own. These brands are Jeep, GMC Razor Cadillac, and Little Miss Match bicycles.
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Best Performer at the Lowest Price
The GMC Denali Road bike is clearly an entry-level bike, that is available in 3 sizes (Large, Medium and Small). Many people have commented that they are sized a bit larger than normal, but a sizing chart is available on their website that clears things up.
Components
The GMC Denali road bike is built around an aluminum frame and fork. Component-wise it’s pretty much what you would expect for a road bike under $200.
Shimano derailleur and shifters are stock on this bike and the brakes are advertised as “alloy calipers” but there are no other markings that can be used to identify them.
The bike rolls on 700c size wheels, which is great since it’s the most common size and there are plenty replacement tires and tubes available. The alloy rims are what’s known as high-profile, this means that they are taller than regular spoke rims.
The added height gives the wheel more stiffness and better aerodynamics. High-profile rims can be considered the middle ground between disk and regular spoke wheels.
Pros
The biggest pro for this bike is its price. It’s one of the cheapest options available. The different sizes available make it easy to find the right size for you.
GMC Denali is relatively lightweight and strong considering the price point and performs excellently.
Cons
However, the GMC Denali road bike is not without its cons. The biggest deal for me is the seat, it is stiff and uncomfortable, but this might not be the case for other people. the added kickstand is very flimsy and weak, people have complained that it broke off after a few rides. Also, the brake pads are very stiff and don’t feel very responsive. Most people agree that you need to squeeze the brake levers very hard and it still doesn’t feel like you are slowing down fast enough.
One thing to keep in mind is that this bike isn’t completely assembled, and some mechanical skill is required. This isn’t necessarily a con but you might want to factor in the cost of assembly by an experienced mechanic before buying. A proper tune-up and inspection is vital to make this bike function properly.
Bottom line
The bottom line is that this GMC Denali road bike is a great deal. This is a bike that costs less than Shimano’s highest end derailleur, and still it performs well enough for most users, especially if you are just starting out It is a good idea to upgrade a few components right out of the gate (seat, pedals, etc.) in order to be more comfortable, but even without swapping out parts it’s a great bike for a new or recreational rider.
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However, if you plan on taking road cycling seriously it might be a better idea to save up a bit more and buy a higher end product. But for entry-level riders, this Denali is just great!
GMC Denali Road Bike
$$
Pros
- Good Geometry
- 21 speeds
- Shimano Components
- Three sizes
Cons
- Seat is stiff and uncomfortable
- Assembly needed
About The Author
Jeff Balton
Jeff’s been riding and racing road and mountain bikes for most of his life. It all started when he was seven years old and received his first mountain bike. It was a Japanese Nishiki with 21 speeds. Jeff studied printing engineering in university, which still comes in handy for him. He likes to write about bicycle-related stuff, help organize events for the community, and he dreams that one day there will be more free time for everyone. You can often find Jeff riding with his kids. At the moment, they’re either in the child bike seat, or he’s running next (read: far behind) their balance bikesThis Article Has 14 Comments
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About the Author
Hey! My name is Jeff!
I ride simply because I love to. There is nothing about cycling that I don’t like! I sometimes take part in group-rides and compete in races. I also work with other riders, teaching them how to get better on trickier, technical trails.
I aim to inspire riders to greater interest and activity. There was a few year period when I didn’t ride at all, cause I just couldn’t afford one really. I figured that decent bikes cost a lot and the cheap ones are all crap. Turns out, I was wrong, there are actually many excellent bikes on the market.
I’ve outlined some tips on how to choose and what to buy on my website. Once you pick out the bike for you, I’ll see on the trails!
Jeff
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I own a Denali, it’s not bad. I took it on a few local tours and performed very well. First thing I did after I bought it was replace the seat, tires, handlebars.
I too have had problems with flats, I’m thinking about replacing the trims to see if this helps.
Glad you’re having a good time on your Denali! 🙂 The flats could be related to the rims, so you can give it a try, but there are many other possibilities as well, such as pinches, road conditions, bad tubes, etc.
This is not an option unless you HAVE to have a new bike. There are so many good used Trek, Cannondale, Specialized, etc… bikes out there. For $95 than what this bike lists for, I got a Trek 7500 FX with a dropped bar conversion. Way more bike for just a little more money. Why would you even recommend this bike?
Hi Domenic. You can definitely find good used bikes IF you know what you’re looking for. That includes looking at a lot of ads, trying out different bikes, and figuring out whether or not they’re in good condition and worth the money. That’s not something you need to worry about when you’re buying a new bike. For most recreational riders, GMC Denali is a pretty decent choice, which is why we decided to write about it. Enjoy your Trek 7500 FX. 🙂
I have a GMC Denali Zo I am looking for parts for it I got it from a friend that found it thrown out in the woods and I am trying to rebuild it if somebody can contact me and let me know where I can find parts for it so I can start riding it
Hey George, Amazon, eBay, and craigslist are good places to start.
Definitely a great entry level bike. I’ve raced in it a few times and ride every week on it. The gears are a bit rough but I’m going to take it to a shop to see if the chain is loose. My biggest complaint is that the brakes are horrible. Other than that it is great. I also put Gators on it right away so no flats.
I like the bike but I have had two flats and the sealant doesn’t work really well. I don’t know the tire size, and where to buy the tire. Please help if you can.
Hi Prince, the stock size should be 23c, but that might not be the case with the one you have. It’s best to measure it or ask in a local bike shop. If you know how, you can also read that information on the tire itself.
Hello I own this bike and am very satisfied. Proper tuning of the brakes really helps responsiveness but there is room for improvement with the spring balance on the brake caliper.
The seat is stiff but slim and as long as your not trying to sit up right very often then you should be comfortable.
Agree that the kickstand is very weak and if not treated very gently it has the potential to break easily.
Well worth it’s money! Very happy with it after over 500 miles of riding.
Hi Kason,
I’m glad that you like the GMC Denali! It definitely has some room for improvement, but you can’t get everything at this price. But I agree, for the money, it’s one of the best choices out there. 🙂
Whats the price of this bike in canadian dollar and where i can buy it
Hi Varinder, the price in Canada is around CAD 420. You can find it on Amazon and some other popular online retailers there. 🙂
I own this same bicycle.I ride everyday and haven’t had any problems.