GMC Denali Road Bike Review

GMC Denali Road Bike Review

GMC Denali is a high-quality, ​budget friendly road bike that you can get easily without breaking your bank.

Everything on this bike screams speed, from the lightweight construction, all-aluminium frame to its high-performance Shimano Revo Shifters and premium Shimano derailleurs.

All the components on this remarkable bike go in to making the Denali road bike’s weight exactly what it should be for it to be a competitive budget road bike. ( read more about our cheap road bike here. )

Better yet, the tires and rims are specifically designed for racing, with the rims designed from high strength and lightweight alloy.

Sporting innovative design features, the GMC Denali is an adaptable and accepted road bike for riders looking to ride for fun, as part of a group, for exercise, or as part of individualized training.

The biggest challenge of GMC when designing the Denali road bike was coming up with an all-around bike that people of different skill levels would be drawn to and maintain a modest price at the same time.

While the Denali is great for beginners, but it’s also a superior option for the more seasoned cyclists. In any case, its claim to fame is largely attributed to its reliability, and with this model, you’ll never have to worry about getting stranded.

Who is GMC Denali Road Bike For?

GMC Denali is more than a good “entry-level” product, but it also has the potential to be a lot more than a mere starter.

Denali is designed for the casual cyclist who is looking for a bike that will stand up to long-distance and speed riding on roads.

Providing a mix of value and performance, Denali is an awesome option for exercising, fun riding, exploring new places or training.

In any case, Denali has gained popularity with the beginners and in-between riders who do not prefer professional bikes, yet, they want something better and durable than the normal bike street.

Denali is available in a variety of sizes to meet the cycling needs of different heights and body types. Better yet, it’s a Unisex bike, and regardless of whether it’s used by a male or female, it will provide the style and comfort on the road.

Generally, GMC Denali intends to provide long-lasting durability, quick, and smooth shifting between gears.

It’s an awesome option if you’re:

• Cash-strapped and have a rock bottom budget
• You know your way around bikes but looking for a low-way risk to see if road cycling is meant for you
• Looking for a commuter bike that will also double up as an exercise, or training bike

What’s Included Out of the box

Out of the box, the GMC Denali comes as a complete solution of everything that the user would need to get the bike assembled, save for a few tools such as the wrench.

The Denali package comes with the frame, chain and wheels.

However, the bike is not fully assembled, and it’s your responsibility to assemble the bike.

The good news is that alongside the package is an easy-to-follow instruction manual. The guide is easy to follow, and with it, you don’t necessarily have to be a DIYer to get your bike up and running in a few minutes.

However, if you still find it hard to follow the instructions, you can take your bike to your local bike store, and they should assemble your bike in minutes.

Features/Specs of the GMC Denali:

GMC Denali has such an impressive profile, as GMC has done a pretty fine job of including high-quality and performance-oriented features in a road bike that is comparatively inexpensive and dependable.

The entire Denali edifice revolves around an aluminium frame and fork, and both of this contributes to its lightness.

Performance-wise, Denali has remarkable braking and gearing system that will deliver an outstanding cycling experience.

Let’s get to the nitty-gritty of this bike and explore the outstanding features:

​1) Designed from 6061 aluminium frame, the GMC Denali road bike is sturdy and has enough rigidity to hit different surfaces on the road without breaking down.

With the aluminium construction in place, you can now handle a variety of terrains including the rugged terrains without worrying about the structural integrity of your bike.

​2) Weighing at less than 30 pounds, Denali is relatively light for the price point, although, it’s certainly not as light as some other options.

Though the weight may lend to the bike’s lower budget, it could be quite problematic for cyclers who frequently ride uphill, but a benefit for downhill riders, as it can offer extra stability when coasting.

Nevertheless, Denali was not designed for the professional riders, which becomes apparent in weight.

The good news, however, 30lbs is still a modest weight, and a majority of the bikes fall within this range.

3) The Denali include Shimano gearing, which is quite simple to use and will assure you of smooth riding experience.

​4) The drive train of the Denali consists of several components such as the Shimano index front derailleur, Shimano Revo shifter and Shimano 7-speed rear derailleur.

Now, if you know anything about road bikes, then you’re aware that the above components will make it easy, smooth and rapid for you to switch between gears.

Better yet, the Revo shifters are within reach, meaning that you don’t have to let go when changing gears.

​5) If you are looking to handle a variety of terrains without having to get off, you’ll be pleased to know that the GMC Denali is a 21-speed bike.

The 21-speeds, combined with the remarkable gearing system makes the bike ideal for handling a variety of surfaces ranging from hill climbing, rough road to flat surface riding.

​6) Sporting stout Vitesse lite rims alongside 700c tires, the wheelset on the Denali combine to deliver excellent performance.

The heavy hubs on the wheelset will ensure better strength and will improve on the ability of the bike to handle your weight.

More importantly, the strength of the wheels set will provide excellent performance on the rugged roads or those with potholes.

​7) The 7000 steel fork on the Denali will help in shock absorption, and this is quite handy, especially if you’re travelling on rough surfaces.

The steel forks will also allow you to optimize the performance of this bike and minimize the possibilities of losing control, especially during sporting events.

Con​​​​​clusion

It’s without a doubt that the GMC Denali road bike is a great deal. Give that it costs way less than other Shimano’s highest end derailleur, and still performs exceptionally well, I would go for it.

However, there has been complaining about the stiffness of the pedals and seats, and I would recommend you swap out the parts. But even without swapping, the GMC Denali is still a great bike for the new or recreational rider.

Nevertheless, if you’re planning on taking your road cycling seriously, and maybe upgrade to a professional rider it might be better you save a little more and buy a higher end product. But for the entry-level riders, the Denali is the way to go.