GMC Denali Pro Road Bike (56cm Frame)

by GMC

• 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"

Product Description

Amazon.com

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

Product Description

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

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 50.9 x 28.5 x 7.5 inches ; 32.9 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 32.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0029XLHBW
• Item model number: 35024
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #62,056 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)
  • #33 in Sports & Outdoors > Bikes & Accessories > Bikes > Road Bikes

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

164 of 167 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Value for a low-end road bike May 18, 2010

By Kenton Lee

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.

40 of 47 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Acceptable if on sale. January 13, 2010

By P. Winn

Amazon Verified Purchase

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.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best entry level road bike ever!!!!!!!! July 9, 2010

By Matt

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.