GMC Denali Road Bike - Is It Worth Buying?

GMC Denali Road Bike Review

Categories: Bike Reviews, Road Bike
GMC Denali Road Bike Review
We are reader-supported. We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links on our site. Read More...

IMPORTANT! Currently unavailable! See best road bikes for beginners 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 at 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.

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

GMC Denali Road Bike Review
GMC Denali Road Bike – Black/Green

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

GMC Denali Road Bike Review
GMC Denali Road Bike – Red

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

GMC Denali Pink
GMC Denali Road Bike – Pink

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.

Currently unavailable! Read best road bikes for beginners review

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

$$
7.8

Quality

8.0/10

Weight

7.5/10

Durability

7.5/10

Components

7.5/10

Speed

8.5/10

Pros

  • Good Geometry
  • 21 speeds
  • Shimano Components
  • Three sizes

Cons

  • Seat is stiff and uncomfortable
  • Assembly needed

75 thoughts on “GMC Denali Road Bike Review

  1. I am about 100 pounds overweight and just traded a buncha funko pops for a black and yellow denali pro 700c off offerup thats been heavily modified then left to rust for 5 years, hope it doesnt kill me!
    So far im replacing the dry rotted seat, rusted bearings and front tube, looks good elsewise.

    1. Hi Holly,
      Great to hear you are getting into cycling for health reasons. Be sure to have your tires pumped with the recommended pressure.

    1. Where could I buy them? I tried Walmart, Amazon and Target. I bought mine at Walmart like three years ago and love it. I’m wanting a second one now. I looked on Ebay and the shipping prices are to expensive for me. I just wanted to say thank you for your information.

    2. Hi Joshua,
      If you click at the images on the article, it brings you directly to the purchase site. Try that on all the images 🙂

  2. Hi I just bought this bike off my friend and invested some cash into it to get it into shape but the seat is too tall and I cant find where I can adjust it if I can

    1. Hi Austin,
      There is a part there where you can loosen it using an allen key. I would suggest that if you are not sure with this, then you better get someone who can help you lower it down.

  3. I like the bike but am having an issue finding how to attach a rear cargo rack. The cargo rack support bottom arm attaches just above the rear wheel axis, and the rack itself has metal arms that extend forward for another attachment point (like on a seat post screw or frame screws). However, I don’t see either of those options as being viable on this frame. Would rather not use a front rack or seat post mounted cargo rack. Any suggestions?

  4. I find this bike really unfriendly on most counts. The shifting is labored and rough,
    and the brakes are weak and noisy. Most annoying is that the frame has odd contours and irregularities whose purpose is completely unclear, and the main frame tubes are oval rather than circular in shape. These frame issues make it impossible to attach various accessories such as an extra bottle rack or pump. I might have owned a greater number of biked than other reviewers, so maybe I’m set in my ways…but I see no reason to own this bike, unless one absolutely refuses to spend more than a few hundred dollars.

    1. Hi Garth,
      All entry level bikes can have such issues. You can upgrade components to Shimano which is really reliable. Take it to your LBC and talk to a mechanic as to what are the things you can improve on.

  5. Great informative article but I don’t see the price on it, can you tell me what a used model # 52706 serial no# 738447 man on 2008-07-15
    Sell for ? I don’t know how much to ask for it

  6. I got this bike over 5 years ago and have had issues with the gears shifting ever since. I’ve tried adjusting the derailleurs and tweaking other things, but only one gear will work for me so you could say I’m riding a fixie. Nonetheless, this bike has done everything else I could ask for. It’s my first bike and I’ve used it for urban commuting (I live and work in Chicago) and I’ve taken it on many 10-15 mile rides. I’ve never had to change a tire or fix a chain, and it’s got pretty good speed for a “fixie.” It’s gotten me into cycling and thinking about splashing for an upgrade!

    1. Hi Sean,
      You can always upgrade your derailleur but you need to have it checked with your local bike shop. Sometimes it just needs a little tweaking. Happy riding.

  7. Jeff, your article was spot on! I’ve had my Denali for 6 years and ride it 3-4 times a week. The breaks, seat, and gear issues are exactly what you described. I did get a sweet seat cover to rectify the uncomfortableness. Do you have a recommendation for an affordable upgrade? And a recommendation for an affordable trail bike? Thanks!

    1. Hello Kelly,

      Thanks for the positive feedback! Well, a bike tune up in your LBS will make your ride more enjoyable. There, you can upgrade things like your break pads, break levers, and an overall tune up of your bike. There people who have a regular monthly bike check. It’s like going to a dentist. But this time, you are just ensuring that all your future rides are free from mechanical failure. As for an affordable trail bike, check my post about Cannondale Trail 8.

  8. Your article is GREAT!!! Very good read. My question is if you had the choice between this bike a GMC 700C or a 700C Nazz from Walmart. Which would you choose? Since both bikes are manufactured by Kent. They are both in the same price range. I’m just having a hard time deciding. One of the main differences is the Nazz has disc brakes.

    1. Hi Phillip,
      Yes both bikes are fantastic but my choice goes to this one since it is something I have tested already.

  9. My tires keep going flat. Not sure if it’s the tire or tube. Not sure what they would cost at a bike shop. I am good with tools but wasn’t sure if changing out the tires is something I want to dive into if it’s a big process. Anything will help. Thank you!

    1. Hi Mitch,
      Check if there is a steel strand or anything sharp embedded in the tire. It will be useless to patch the inner tube when it still gets poked by whatever sharp object that’s stuck in there.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *