GMC Denali Road Bike Review

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(More customer reviews)Putting it together:
The bike came with the typical assembly needed for a bike shipped in a cardboard box. Attach the steering column, front tire, seat, pedals, reflectors. Then adjust brakes and fine tune gears. No big deal. Several different size allen wrenches, open end wrenches, pliers, and a screwdriver were needed. It was not hard, but if you've never put a bike together before it might seem like a lot of work, and you still might wind up at a bike shop for proper gear and brake adjustments.
Initial thoughts:
It is a nice looking bike and since road bikes are pretty much only sold in bike shops, most people will assume it cost a LOT more than it really did. A friend asked if I spent "over $1,000" on it.
I have no problems with build quality. The welds look good, the bike seems solid, the seat tube fit fine. I was surprised how well the frame fits my 6'0" size.
The Good Things:
> Nice looking bike
> Could pass for a much more expensive bike
> Lightweight
> Great gears, I hit 38.5mph on a downhill with some gear remaining, and managed 32.4mph on level ground with a tailwind (measured using handlebar mounted GPS receiver). I can cruise overall in the 16-20mph range for the first hour.
> Seat post clamps down nicely and is plenty long enough
The Bad Things:
> Seat angle does not appear to be adjustable and since I am male I will have to purchase an adjustable seat due to the high front angle
> No top pull brake levers, have to move hands into the drops in order to operate brakes
> Brakes are marginally effective, I've had cheaper toy bikes with better brakes. Am going to try different pads.
> To reach higher gears, the left gripshift turns toward you, but the right gripshift turns away from you.
> Considering the frame size would fit an average 6' tall person, they should have made the handlebar stem an inch or two longer for proper ride height adjustment.
> Due to the handlebar mounted twist grip shifters, there are very limited mounting positions available for accessories. I had to fabricate custom mounts for both my gps receiver and my headlight.
> The pedals are too narrow. I will have to purchase wider pedals. Considering the frame size of the bike, it would be reasonable to provide slightly wider pedals.
Parts Availability:
I bought this bike with the thinking that for the price if it wore out in a year I could buy 5 more for the price of a single entry level road bike at our local bike shops.
That thinking got tested sooner rather than later. Against my better judgement, I allowed a relative to ride the bike just a few days after I purchased it. He proceeded to ride into a longways crack in a sidewalk which abrubtly closed up locking the front tire and causing him to rotate over the front of the bike. He is fine (scraped up), but the bike did not fare as well.
The front rim sustained deep grooves and the entire braking area of the rim was scraped up from the side of the concrete. The tire was ripped and the tube was punctured, both in several places. The grip shift mechanisms were gouged by the concrete. The rear derailer was bent, knocked sideways, and the spring was knocked off.
Of course, none of this is the fault of the bike. Actually I was able to reattach the spring and fix the derailer, so all I really needed was a new front tire (rim, tire, tube, liner). Easier said than done!
None of my 3 local bike shops stock 28 x 700c tires.
But the bigger concern was with the manufacturer, Kent. All the phone numbers on the bike and in the manual refer you to them. I have still been unable to obtain parts from them, almost a month later. They are nice but just keep saying they are "waiting for parts".
In the meanwhile, I ordered another same model bike from Amazon and have already received it and have been using it.
Interestingly, the latest bike has much beefier tires (still the same size). The older model (by a couple of weeks) had very smooth tires with no real tread depth. The new bike's tires have more meat around the shoulder area and look like they will hold up a lot better. The newer tires seem to be of significantly higher quality.
I plan to keep the other bike for spare parts and will continue calling Kent so that hopefully someday I can get a new front tire.
Final Thoughts:
Overall I am very pleased with the bike. You just can't beat the price. I could buy 5 of these bikes including shipping for the price of the cheapest bike from my local bike shop. Obtaining OEM parts may be hard to do. The bike is lightweight, has very good gearing, and can be very fast. It goes better than it stops. Replacing several key components will improve the bike significantly. It is not perfect, but when you factor in the price, it is a great deal.
It is sold at the price of what bikes in a toy store sell for. Just keep that in mind and realize you aren't buying a professional model bike, and it should meet or exceed your expectations.

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The GMC Denali 700C 21-Speed Road Bike is built around a lightweight aluminum road bike frame for racing or commuting. You'll stop on a dime with the alloy calipers and brake levers, and the high-profile alloy Vitesse racing rims look as good as they perform. The Shimano derailleur and Shimano Revo shifts make it easy to change gears quickly and smoothly, and the high-performance 700c tires are up to the challenge of rigorous street racing. Lastly, this road bike will help you stay hydrated with the included alloy water bottle cage.
Specifications:
Frame: Aluminum 7005 straight gauge
Fork: GMC Series 7000 steel
Chain: KMC Z 51
Crankset: Prowheel Alloy 335P6 28X38X48 170mm
Front Derailleur: Shimano FD-TZ 31 Index
Rear Derailleur: Shimano RD-TZ30GS 7SPD
Shifters: Shimano Revo SIS L2/R7
Brake levers: Promax BL-250AP Aluminum
Brakes: Promax 501A Alloy Caliper Brake
Rims: Vitesse Alloy black 700CX14GX36H
Tires: Kenda Black With Grey Band 700X28C
Stem: Aluminum black EXT:100mm 0D.
Handlebar: Maesbend W: 430mm D:22.0mm
Saddle: Cionlli Black
Seat post: HL Aluminum Micro Adjust 27.2 X 300mm
Pedals: VP-990S plastic body with steel cage
Weight: 29.0 lbs

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 ultra-lightweight 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 bottles and bottle cages
Spare tubes
Portable bike pump
Gloves

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GMC Denali Boy's 24-Inch Road Bike Review

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(More customer reviews)My wife & I are avid cyclists, so for my son's 9th birthday, we bought him his own road bike! I am very pleased with the bike! I am somewhat of a bike mechanic, so putting it together was very easy, and simple. I did however, have to adjust the brakes, and now they work wonderfully. I also added brake levers on the handle bars (cross inline levers), and that was a great safety net. I also replaced the two tires with 24" x 1" wheel chairs tires, and tubes, and they fit and work wonderfully. All total, I have spent less than $175.00 on his road bike, and We are very pleased with it!

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Sized for the smaller rider, the GMC Denali boy's 24-inch road bike is perfect for kids who are still growing or who are stature-challenged but still want a high-quality ride. The frame size is 17 inches, while the stand-over height is 26 inches, giving it all the strength, durability, and style of the full-size Denali but in a proportional size. More significantly, it's outfitted with a full array of elite alloy components, including a sturdy triple-chaining alloy crank set, precision brakes, easy-to-grip handlebars, and smooth- rolling wheels.
Hill climbing is made easier thanks to the sturdy crank set and trusty Shimano TZ40 derailleurs, which round out the drive train, while the Shimano Revo 21- speed twist shifters provide precise, hassle-free shifts. Other details include a lightweight 36-spoke wheel set with V-profile rims, Kenda tires with color accent trims, and a lifetime warranty on the frame and fork.

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Tommaso Imola with Carbon Fork Road Bike Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a sweet ride.
I had wanted a road bike of decent quality. I had first tried to buy an old road bike and fix it up, but it became such a money pit!
I decided then to look into a new road bike. This was around my price range of $500. I opted for the carbon fiber fork as well, as I have heard great things about the benefits of carbon fiber. The next comparable road bike was well over $1000.
I purchased this bike from GiantNerd, and was overall satisfied with the transaction. If I could compare it to another bike, I'd compare it to the Specialize Allez. It has most of the same components but also has the CF fork and is about $300 cheaper.
An all around amazing road bike. I've had no issues and love to ride it.
Should note that it doesn't come with pedals. I ordered some Origin8 track pedals and have been happy. I also replaced the tires and handlebar tape for asthetics.
I am 100% happy with this bike. It's a great buy.
NOTE: I am 6'0" and ordered the 56cm frame. The 58cm seemed a tad too big.

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The Imola carbon takes all the features and technology of the standard Tommaso Imola and adds a carbon bladed fork. This will provide a little more comfort as the carbon absorbs more of the high frequency road buzz from the pavement. Racy graphics compliment the 12k weave of the carbon fork It is our belief that everyone needs to ride a bike. There is a magic moment that takes place once you start pedaling. No matter what kind of day you are having a smile will immediately appear when the pedals start to turn. Riding a bike is pure, fun and beneficial to the rider's health. That is why the staff at Randall Scott Company believes everyone needs to own a bike. Tommaso worked very hard with its factories and designers to get the best bike at the best price for its customers. The Tommaso Imola is the bicycle for anyone that wants to get started on the cycling journey. The proprietary 6061 Tommaso compact aluminum frame will provide thousands of miles of dependability and enjoyment. The Shimano components are known for accuracy and ease of use. The triple chainring up front and a 12x24 8-speed cassette give the rider 24 speeds to choose from all controlled by the Shimano shifter/brake levers. The road triple has been a welcome component for those wanting to get up every hill easily, explore the flats and cruise down the speedy descents. Add that to the hand-friendly, light, aluminum ergo handlebars, San Marco saddle and Kenda tires and you have a winner!

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Nirve Fairfax Men's European Style Road Bike (700c Wheels, Alfine Pearl Cream) Review

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(More customer reviews)Got this in the mail last week. One spoke was broken in shipping, and both wheels were out of true (wobbly, not straight), so I had to leave it at a local bike shop for a week so they could re-true the wheels. I think the wheels can easily be damaged in transit, given the way the bike is packed, so you might want to figure in another $70 to get the wheels re-trued if you order it online.
Broken spokes aside, I'm happy with the way the bike looks. It has a handsome, classic look to it; a look based off of old Raleigh designs. The trouble is: you don't get nearly enough for your money. The saddle and handlebars are cheap-looking plastic. Even the Nirve crest is just a sticker slapped on the front tube. I was able to rip the sticker off, with the help of some Goof-off, so the sticker itself wasn't a problem. I just think the sticker-for-a-crest is emblematic of the disappointing cheap feel of this bike. The internal gear hub and front hub generator are nice features. But on other bikes you can get the internal gear and front hub generator, plus a rack over your rear wheel, plus fenders, plus a real leather and grips, all for hundreds less than this bike.
I thought this would be a nice commuting bike, but the quality of the build and components was severely disappointing. The add-ons included are lacking for a bike in this price range. Overall, this bike feels like a cheap simulacrum of an older, better, design. I'll be selling mine as soon as an opportunity presents. Do yourself a favor and skip this one.

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Nirve Fairfax Men's European Style Road Bike (700c Wheels, Alfine Pearl Cream)

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Victory Vision Men's Road Bike Review

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(More customer reviews)I'll get the good out first. This is a great bike for the money; I looked all over in stores for a comparable bike and couldn't find one for under $250. Once assembled, the bike rides fine, the gears shift pretty smoothly and the brakes are decent. The seat leaves something to be desired (it's VERY narrow) but the handlebars are great (there's a good layer of comfort foam). The frame is sturdy and well-painted (any decals are covered with a layer of clear enamel) with the only stickers being of the generic variety, like the standard "warning: always wear a helmet" one. It took me a little while to adjust everything to where I wanted it, but once there everything was hunky-dory.
The assembly, however, is a bear if you've never assembled a bike before (which I haven't). I consider myself decently handy, and if you give me a good set of directions I can usually figure things out no problem. The instruction manual in this case, however, isn't for this specific model of bike; it's a generic that reads like one of those choose-your-own-adventure books that were popular back in the day. My first clue was the warning that "pictures may not match your particular model." As I went on, I encountered a lot of "if your bike comes with this kind of...", which became very frustrating very quickly, especially when I got to the brakes - maybe it's just me, but none of those pictures look like what I was working on.
Since there are no pictures of this bike model in the manual, I had to do a lot of guessing. For example, I found out AFTER I had completed and ridden the bike that the gear shift goes under, and not on, the handlebar, and that was only from looking at the Amazon picture.
I spent roughly one hour and fifteen minutes putting the bike together, and I would say forty-five minutes of that was spent on the front brake. At first, it was set so wide that when you pulled the brake on the handlebar the pads wouldn't even touch the rim. I adjusted it one, but then they stuck in the "closed" position. It took a lot of patience and a lot of work with my adjustable wrench, but I finally got it to a working state. With that exception, everything else pretty much went smoothly.
In short, if you've assembled bikes before or consider yourself pretty handy, this is a great value. If you are the slightest bit intimidated by anything I wrote though, just spend the extra money and get a pre-assembled bike, because this won't be worth your time, and if you mess ANYTHING up, you don't want it to be your brakes.
UPDATE 7/21/2010: Ten days ago I took this bike out for a 66.2 mile ride (the ACS Bike-a-thon in Philadelphia), and have also been riding it pretty consistently since my review, and have some new thoughts.
The handlebars tend to not stay straight, especially if you drop (even gently) the bike on its side. The first 20 miles of my ride were on somewhat bumpy roads, and by the end of it my handlebars were about five to ten degrees off center. The allen wrench included with the bike needs to be inserted in such a way that the handle is actually in the bolt (otherwise it won't reach), leaving you very little leverage to turn it. This problem can probably be solved with a different allen wrench.
Also, the gears need to be adjusted regularly, because after about 10 miles they start to make noise as you pedal. Also, make sure you tighten the bolts around the seat and the post that holds it up, as a bumpy ride will stress them.
On the plus side, the stock tires held up excellently on a ride that saw about one out of every 20 riders get a flat on the less-than-stellar roads. The grips are as comfortable as my first impression, but tend to get a bit slippery with sweat (wearing gloves will negate this effect; I found out when I rested my forearm on them).
Still, for under $200, if you don't mind a trying assembly experience and buying a new seat, this is a good bike.

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This Victory Vision Road Bicycle has a light Alloy Men's Frame, Shimano 12-Speed Stem Shifters, complete Shimano Drivetrain, a Comfortable Road Racing Saddle, Alloy Hubs, Double Wall Alloy Rims, and Alloy Seat Post. This bike is meant for speed and strength!

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Forge CTS 1000 Road Racing Bike - Graphite Blue (19") Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The aluminum frame was excellent. The triple crank is great as you hit those steep inclines. Be sure to have your shimano front derailleur "stops" adjusted properly to reduce the chance of chain slipping off the chain ring when shifting from larger ring to a smaller ring. Mine came off when I shifted from "granny" ring to middle ring when chain didn't seat correctly because low stop was off a tad - all bikes need to be adjusted properly to prevent this. Also all riders need to anticipate the incline and shift in advance of placing pressure on the crank/chain which keeps pedaling smoother and reduces the chance of chain slippage or worse - chain breaking. The bike included road pedals (no toes straps) but most riders will want to upgrade to clipless pedals and shoes, i.e. Look (or why are you riding a bike like this in the first place?) The bike has only one size and is designed for someone 5' 8" to 5' 11'. This bike will introduce you to shifters that are integrated into the brake levers - a great value at this price as these shifters alone start around $200!
One disappointment, which I rectified, was that the seatpost is not a standard 27.2 cm. So when I went to upgrade to a carbon seatpost I learned about this problem. I was able to order a spacer to reduce the tube to 27.2 cm over the internet. So I can grease the seat tube and use special carbon fiber lubrication only on the aluminum spacer. The larger seat tube provides more stiffness/strength so in the long run it will be a better value. I also discovered that the fork is not aluminum - is some kind of steel (unknown grade). Seat is reasonable - but every rider has his or her preferences there as with clipless shoes and pedals. Before making too many changes get some miles under you first. As I
said it is a great bike for the price to slowly upgrade as deals come along - I added lighter/aero wheels/rims and upgraded the tires. Later I switched out the fork to a carbon fiber one to match my seatpost - including carbon fiber spacers for a cool look - then upgraded my stem to a Thompson. I later added aluminum pulleys to my derailleur. The bike is quick and stiff for climbing and the changes I made absorb road energy, although I haven't rode on the cobblestones in France yet!
So if you can't afford a $1500 bike then start with this bike for under $400 for training and slowly upgrade it to your preferences.

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Designed for road performance, the CTS 1000 combines high quality components, creative design and affordability. Forge CTS is a road performance bike that is in a class of its own. Shimano Sora 24-speed front and rear derailleurs with Shimano Total Integration (STI, integrated shifters within break leavers), Tektro brake levers on top of handle bar, Truvativ triple-crankset, alloy rims and Kenda Kontender 700x25C tires enhance performance while the compact road design frame allows for superior speed and handling. 19" frame stands over 29.7H" fits most riders 5’6" to 5’10". Note: Frame size is determined by measuring the distance from the center of the bottom bracket (the bolt that locks in the crank) to the top of the seat tube. Stand-over height is determined by measuring the distance from the ground to the top tube. A bike that you ride only on paved surfaces and never take off road should give you a minimum stand-over height clearance of 2", a bike that you ride on unpaved surfaces should give you a minimum of 3" of stand-over height clearance and a bike that you ride off road should give you a minimum of 4" of stand-over height clearance.

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