GMC Denali Road Bike by GMC

OK, this review is to update my previous review given several months to ride this bike and see what and how. Previously I gave this bike a near perfect review. I was wrong. To be near perfect one needs to make a few inexpensive changes. I will list the strengths and weaknesses and what I replaced to improve this bike.

The Denali is typical of mass produced, imported, department store bicycles. It will need some tinkering and adjustments, the extent of which will depend upon your experience, tools and desires. Most riders opting for this road bike will want to do things like true the wheels and adjust the brakes and derailleurs. They are close out of the box but need tweaking. Aesthetically, it is pretty with its anodized blue look, accented with black and silver stickers. The wheel stickers make the bike look expensive, but the metal name plates on the frame are a bit tacky and look like they're about to fall off (although you probably couldn't pry them off if you wanted to). Newer models don't have the name plates.

The bike arrived through the US mail in a box that looked like they dragged it behind the mail truck for a few miles. I was worried that something was broken. Nevertheless, I opened er up and the bike was fine. They packed it in a manner that allows it to take a bit of a beating in shipping. Since I was an old bicycle mechanic I never even opened the manual and put the bike together in about fifteen minutes. Basically that requires air in the tires, mount the front, put the handlebar neck in place, put the seat in place, put the pedals on, adjust the brakes, and ride. I chose to leave the reflectors off, for now.

I had a few doubts from purchasing this because of all the negative reviews about it, but most negative reviewers seem to not know what they are talking about and provide insufficient information. Often the validity of a negative review is questioned. (can mislead and hinder someone from buying it)